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READ:

Luke 12:32

³² Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

EXHORTATION:

The Lord Jesus Christ is the loving Shepherd of all those who follow Him in faith and obedience. Jesus referred to His followers as His flock. Concerning them, He said, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me” (John 10:27). Interestingly, He called them “little flock”, referring to the fact that they were few in number and defenceless on their own against their foes.

Jesus referred to them as “little flock”, not to ridicule their small frame or frail existence in this hostile world, but to tenderly assure them of God’s love. He knew how terrified they would be at the sight of the cruel and ravenous enemies surrounding them. Without the strength and means to defend or escape, they would be frightened and discouraged. So their kind Shepherd instructed them not to fear. He calmed their anxious, troubled hearts, saying, “Fear not, little flock”.

Throughout Scripture, the Lord has encouraged His people not to fear. In fact, Scripture has exhorted believers about 84 times to “fear not”, or “fear ye not”, or “fear thou not”. Let us not fear temptations, trials or sufferings or even death. Fear can wreck our peace and effectiveness. So our Lord does not want us to live in constant dread of troubles.

It is the Lord’s instruction that we constantly think of the heavenly Father’s good pleasure towards us. So He proclaimed, “for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” Instead of thinking of those things that cause fear, we should think of the good pleasure of our God that gives us His kingdom. Instead of giving in to slavish fear, we should think of His goodness towards us which makes us heirs of His kingdom through His Son. Our minds must dwell upon God’s tender love towards us. Troubles may come upon us, but they will never succeed to hinder our heavenly Father’s love and goodness towards us.

We are now heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ. As Paul said in Romans 8:17, “And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.” Let us endure the trials that would come our way as they only prove that we are not a people of this world ruled by Satan, but rather, heirs of God’s eternal kingdom.

READ:

Deuteronomy 6:5

⁵ And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.

EXHORTATION:

Jesus referred to this commandment as “the first and great commandment” (Matthew 22:37-38). The very first thing we notice here is that the LORD our God asks for our love. The Almighty craves the affection of His people. His heart rejoices to see that all whom He has redeemed would love Him. The LORD regards Himself glorified when His people love Him wholeheartedly.

He commands their love because He loves them and presents Himself to each one of them as “the LORD thy God”. The LORD has revealed Himself as the only true God, thus delivering His people from the deception of their own hearts and false religions. It is after the proclamation, “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD”, that He commanded that His people love Him. His people must love Him because He has proffered Himself as the true God to them. On their own, they would never have found Him to be the true God. It is His peculiar love for them which made Him declare unto them that the LORD is God, and there is none other.

Oh, how we ought to love our God for He has made Himself known to us and has also reconciled us to Himself through the offer of His Son for the forgiveness of our sins. We have Him now as our God for He has covenanted Himself to us by the blood of His Son. He is no more unknown to us; neither are we alienated from Him. He has given Himself to us that we may enjoy Him forever. His perfections, His power, His providence, His grace, and all His wondrous virtues are for us to delight in. “We love him, because he first loved us” (1 John 4:19).

The LORD also instructed His people as to how they ought to love Him. He said that they ought to love Him “with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.” He who loves God with all his heart, loves Him above all else. Such a man is ready to give up or suffer anything to please and glorify his God. He is totally dedicated to the LORD with an undivided heart. He who loves God with all his soul and with all his life is ready to give up even his life. He would rather endure his sufferings and accept death than dishonour his God. He who loves God with all his strength exerts all the powers of his body and soul in the service of God. Total submission to God’s glory is the mark of one’s love for God.

READ:

Amos 5:14

¹⁴ Seek good, and not evil, that ye may live: and so the LORD, the God of hosts, shall be with you, as ye have spoken.

EXHORTATION:

Earlier in this chapter, the prophet had repeatedly exhorted the Israelites to seek the LORD (vv. 4, 6, 8). This verse further explains the implications of the exhortation to seek the LORD. Those who seek the LORD will also seek to do His good will.

The “good” that God’s people ought to seek is not what they think is good, but what the LORD has revealed as good. All that His Word requires of us is good, which we must seek diligently to perform. The LORD said through Moses in Deuteronomy 12:28, “Observe and hear all these words which I command thee, that it may go well with thee, and with thy children after thee for ever, when thou doest that which is good and right in the sight of the LORD thy God.” The prophet Micah was also tasked by the LORD to instruct His people: “He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?” (Micah 6:8).

Yet the people were not only doing evil, but also seeking it diligently. They rejoiced in all that which God detested. They sought out evil and the occasions for it. As long as they sought evil, they would not seek good. So they must first put away evil. As Isaiah has written, “Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil; learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow” (Isaiah 1:16-17).

God’s people must be singular in their pursuit of good. They must seek good with total commitment. Unmitigated adherence to good and complete severance from evil is what God commands. In Romans 12:9, the apostle Paul instructs, “Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.” The LORD requires that His people seek good wholly, not only occasionally. “Ye that love the LORD, hate evil” (Psalm 97:10a). “Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it” (Psalm 34:14).

Pursuing the LORD and His good will have the guarantee of the highest blessings in the lives of God’s people. It has the promise of everlasting life and divine friendship. The “God of hosts” will be with them to guide, guard and garnish their lives with His blessings. He who follows the good ways of the LORD, has the LORD for himself.

READ:

Amos 5:6a

⁶ Seek the LORD, and ye shall live;

EXHORTATION:

The prophet Amos had just ended a lamentation over the impending death of the people of the “house of Israel” (5:1-5). A “lament” is a poem of grief sung at a funeral. Prophets used this poetic form to mourn the death of a city, people or nation (cf. Jeremiah 9:10-11, 17-22; Lamentations 1-5; Ezekiel 19; 26:17-18). Though Israel had been enjoying material prosperity under Jeroboam II, her judgment was so certain that Amos lamented her fall as though it had already happened. To his listeners, his lament would have been like listening to their own obituary being read out to them.

Despite the certainty of national judgment, individuals were encouraged to seek the LORD and live. Unless they would repent of their idolatry and wickedness, God Himself would see to their destruction. The admonition of the prophet is: “Seek the LORD, and ye shall live; lest he break out like fire in the house of Joseph, and devour it, and there be none to quench it in Bethel” (v. 6). Though Bethel (which means “house of God”) was a place of worship and blessing, they had desecrated it with their idols. All their activities of worship were an abomination to God. What matters was not the location, but their heart’s devotion to God. So, if they would continue to stay in Bethel but would not turn to God, they would inevitably experience what He has revealed Himself to be in Deuteronomy 4:24 – “the LORD thy God is a consuming fire”!

The command to seek the LORD has been repeated four times in this chapter (vv. 4, 6, 8, 14). It means that they must turn to Him at once. They should not hesitate nor procrastinate in returning to the LORD. Neither should they approach Him in ritualistic, disingenuous worship. Their hearts must seek Him with sincere love and fervent devotion.

The LORD promised that they shall live if they seek Him. The LORD promised to rescue them from the threat of impending calamities which were looming over the nation. But there was something more than their preservation from the impending peril. Turning to the LORD would also guarantee their souls’ eternal life. The LORD is merciful and calls sinners to turn to Him to enjoy the blessings of His good pleasure. “As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?” (Ezekiel 33:11).

READ:

Psalm 19:7b

^7b The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.

EXHORTATION:

David here refers to the Scriptures as “the testimony of the LORD”. In many other places, Scripture also refers to itself as the testimony of the LORD. For instance, Psalm 119 refers to the Scriptures as the “testimony” or “testimonies” of the LORD about 23 times. The Hebrew word for “testimony” (‘?dût) as used here means “that which is borne witness to”. Scripture is the LORD’s testimony because it is His own affirmation of all things that are recorded in it. The Bible is a Divine Witness. All that is revealed in Scripture is God’s own true report.

David says that “the testimony of the LORD is sure”. The Hebrew word for “sure” suggests ideas such as “faithful”, “established” and “verified”. The LORD’s testimony is absolutely true. God has attested to the faithfulness of all that the Scriptures say. Though many unbelieving men challenge the accuracy of the biblical records, God bears witness to their authenticity. The LORD has validated the absolute truthfulness of all that Scripture says. Whatever it says is true, whether it be the account of God’s creation of all things in six days, the universal flood of Noah’s time, the virgin birth, miracles, death and resurrection of Christ, or the prophecies concerning the last days. We can fully trust the veracity of all its doctrines, counsels, promises, history, prophecies, and all else that it says.

David also declares that God’s Word makes the simple wise. The Hebrew word translated “simple” refers to someone who is naive or undiscerning. Because of his ignorance and gullibility, he makes foolish choices and is easily deceived. Yet, if he pays heed to Scripture, it will make him wise. The word “wise” describes one who lives according to divine truths. He is guided in life by the knowledge that God’s Word provides. He submits to Scripture and applies its counsels to his circumstances. The Word of God thus transforms a simple-minded person with no discernment, and makes him skilled in all matters of life. In 2 Timothy 3:15-17, Paul reminds Timothy, who had been brought up in the knowledge of God’s Word, “that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” Studying and applying God’s Word in our lives will invariably make us wise.

READ:

Psalm 19:7a

^7a The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul.

EXHORTATION:

David here speaks of the Scriptures as “the law of the Lord”. The Hebrew word for “law” (torah) means “teaching”, “instruction”, “doctrine”, “precept”, etc. It is used here to denote the instructive nature of the Scriptures. Through the Scriptures, God instructs us about all things with regard to our faith and conduct. It is through the Scriptures that God’s truth and wisdom are communicated to us in order to guide us according to His will.

The phrase “the law of the LORD” also indicates that the LORD is the source of all that is written therein. Scripture is God’s authentic, authoritative revelation. Its truths proceed from God’s mind. They are for our divine instruction. They are not human ideas and theories, but God’s truths revealed through His servants. As the apostle Peter said, referring to the Scriptures, “For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost” (2 Peter 1:21).

Concerning the law of the LORD, David says that it is “perfect”. It is God’s complete, absolute, unerring truth. It is absolutely sufficient, lacking nothing in guiding His people in His truth. There is no error or ambiguity in the Scriptures. In the Scriptures, God’s people have His supreme wisdom to guide them in all matters of life. Hence, David also says, “As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him” (Psalm 18:30). David’s high esteem of Scripture as the perfect Word of God is found in many of his psalms. For instance, in Psalm 119:127-128, he testified, “Therefore I love thy commandments above gold; yea, above fine gold. Therefore I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right; and I hate every false way.”

David not only speaks of the perfect character of Scripture, but also of its amazing power in “converting the soul”. The Hebrew word translated as “converting” also means “turning”, “restoring”, “transforming”, etc. When the truth of God’s Word is received into the soul, it has the power to convict and change a sinner into the way of salvation and righteousness. When its counsels are applied to the soul, the soul shall be restored. Scripture is the perfect manual which the LORD – the Restorer of our souls (Psalm 23:3) – has provided for our blessing.

READ:

Psalm 19:1

¹ The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.

EXHORTATION:

Psalm 19 consists of two parts. In the first six verses, it speaks of God’s glory manifested in His work of creation, namely the heavens and the sun. The rest of the psalm speaks of God’s wisdom revealed in His Word. God’s glory revealed in the nature is referred to as His natural revelation, whereas God’s Word recorded in the Scriptures, which more clearly reveals God to us, is known as His special revelation.

The grandeur of God, as revealed in the natural world, is evident even to the heathen. As Paul says, “Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse” (Romans 1:19-20).

In all of the universe, including our earth, the power and wisdom of God can be seen. Even in little things of the earth, like the flowers of the field, the wisdom and glory of God the Creator are seen. However, David has particularly selected the heavens for our contemplation of God’s glory. The splendour of the world above us is so designed to lead us to contemplate the greatness of God the Creator.

David mentions twice in Psalm 19:1 that the heavens proclaim God’s glory. Everyone who scans the heavens should know that they bear witness to the glory of God. In our modern world, with all its technological advances, we are able to see more than ever before the great wonders of God’s creation in the heavens above us. Today, we can see the dazzling sights of the “outer space”, captured on printed pictures and on TV screens, through the powerful lenses that enable man to peer further and further into the vast endless space above us.

David affirms that the heavens above openly bear testimony that God is their supreme Architect. The heavens proclaim loudly and distinctly to us that they have been fashioned by His Hands. Like a beautiful fabric, the heavens above had been stretched out by God, and garnished with the shining sun and countless stars. They did not come together by chance. God is the Creator of them all. The spectacular sight that we behold in the heavens must draw us to the magnificence and grandeur of their Creator.

READ:

Psalm 20:5

⁵ We will rejoice in thy salvation, and in the name of our God we will set up our banners: the LORD fulfil all thy petitions.

EXHORTATION:

David, having spoken about God’s people’s prayer in the day of trouble for divine help and defence, now mentions the effect of their trust in God. Notwithstanding the troubles that encompass God’s people, when they seek God’s favour and deliverance, they will experience the joy that come with God’s deliverance. Confidence in the LORD will result in joy that exudes out of God’s help and deliverance. David himself, though surrounded by constant troubles caused by his adversaries, has often spoken about his joy in the LORD’s salvation. In Psalm 21:1, he said, “The king shall joy in thy strength, O LORD; and in thy salvation how greatly shall he rejoice!” In Psalm 35:9, he wrote, “And my soul shall be joyful in the LORD: it shall rejoice in his salvation.”

If God’s people pray in times of their trials, they will find strength not only to overcome despair and despondence, but also to rejoice. We should constantly think of the LORD’s promises of salvation. We must rejoice in His power to save us from our troubles. The natural outcome of prayer and confidence in the LORD, as Psalm 118:15 attests, is that there will be “the voice of rejoicing and salvation … in the tabernacles of the righteous: (for) the right hand of the LORD doeth valiantly.”

Because of our joy in the LORD’s salvation, David says, “in the name of our God we will set up our banners”. We do not stand alone or on our own accord to face our trials. Instead, we stand in the name of our God and unfurl our flag. All people, when they go to war, have banners or flags, around which they rally and fight. Each nation has its own flag. God’s people gather in His name and fight their battles for the honour and glory of God.

When they rejoice, they do not sing and dance like the heathen, but simply glory in their LORD. They will celebrate His praises and triumph in His name. They raise their banners for His glory in grateful acknowledgment of His grace and help. They say one to another, “the LORD fulfil all thy petitions.” They encourage one another to depend upon the LORD. They remind one another of the fact that the LORD will hear their prayers as they face the trials of life. Oh, how important it is that we remind one another of God’s infinite power to answer our prayers!

READ:

Psalm 85:6

⁶ Wilt thou not revive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee?

EXHORTATION:

This prayer is teeming with confidence in the power of God that He can “revive” His people “again”. It recollects the LORD’s prior act of reviving His people, and desires earnestly that He would work the same yet again for His people. Right at the beginning of this psalm, certain previous acts of God are mentioned. “LORD, thou hast been favourable unto thy land: thou hast brought back the captivity of Jacob. Thou hast forgiven the iniquity of thy people, thou hast covered all their sin. Selah” (vv. 1, 2). This prayer for revival is based on the LORD’s past acts of restoration of His people back to their land from their enforced exile, and also of His gracious forgiving of the people’s iniquities.

This prayer also recognises the need for God’s work of revival in them. The people’s souls are in a poor, weak and almost dying condition. It is a dire situation that can only be rectified by the mercy of the LORD. Unless the LORD acts to revive, there would be no cause for hope or joy. No human effort is capable of reviving the people.

Like the psalmist, we also need to depend upon our Lord to revive us from our spiritual apathy and backsliding. However, do we acknowledge our dying spiritual condition and so recognise our need for revival? Our preachers, church leaders and members all need to realise that worldliness, doctrinal compromise, lack of interest in prayer, lack of zeal in soulwinning, increasing immoral conduct of churchgoers, family feuds and disintegration, all point to deep spiritual problems that exist today in our churches. Preachers growing dull and sleepy is a tragedy in the making. Greedy and worldly men, by pretending to be God-sent, are misleading the people with carnal and ungodly doctrines. Christian men and women lack spiritual devoutness and dedication when they become too obsessed with money, luxury and prestige. When youths in the church are worldly and sensual, shocking moral decay among them will result!

Should we not desire the LORD to act to renew our love and zeal for God, His truth and holiness? There is a great need in these days for God’s people to watch and pray for times of revival and refreshing from Him. We must pray for our personal revival. We must pray for the revival of family devotion and godliness in our homes. We must pray for the revival of our churches.

Norman Neo

I came to know the Lord Jesus Christ at the age of 14 through the outreach of a Charismatic church. For many years, my spiritual life was shaped by the pursuit of experiences, instead of a firm grounding in God’s Word. I went through a time of spiritual slumber, having lacked the true understanding of being a follower of Christ.

But in His gracious providence, the Lord did not leave me in my error. Through the kind invitation of Brother David Low, I came to Gethsemane B-P Church, where the faithful and uncompromising preaching of Scripture opened my eyes to the truth, authority, and sufficiency of God’s Word. 

Under the ministry of the Word, I came to understand the importance of repentance, sanctification, and obedience to the Lord, and to embrace the doctrines of grace — Total Depravity, Unconditional Election, Limited Atonement, Irresistible Grace, and Preservation of the Saints. These precious truths give me a firm foundation for faith and life, and deepened my understanding of God’s sovereign work in salvation.

This was also a humbling season of unlearning, as I laid aside teachings that were contrary to Scripture and submitted myself afresh to the authority of God’s Word. Through the structured catechism class taught by Elder Choy and Elder Francis, as well as the many theological resources and ongoing teaching ministries of the church, the Lord has graciously grounded me in sound doctrine.

I thank God for His mercy in leading me away from error and apostasy, and guiding me into the truths of His Word. I am deeply grateful to Pastor Koshy, the preachers, deacons, elders, and brethren for their warm Christian fellowship, which has been a great encouragement and strength in my walk with the Lord. I praise and thank God for His gracious providence in leading me to this congregation. 

“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path” (Psalm 119:105).

Quek Tai Chuan

I was born into a traditional Chinese family, where both my parents worshipped various Chinese deities. From a young age, one of my Christian aunties would often share the Gospel with me. Her faith and words often stirred questions in my heart about my own Creator.

I remember wondering why people needed to burn incense and offer sacrifices to the Chinese gods. It didn’t seem logical to me. If there is truly a God, He must be one and only, all-present, and not limited by time or space. Such a God would not need any physical offerings, for He is the Creator of all things.

I began attending Berith B-P Church and worshipped there for almost a year until the church was dissolved. After that, I joined others in searching for a new church, where I could continue to grow in my Christian faith. By God’s grace, I eventually found Gethsemane B-P Church.

At Gethsemane, I have been truly blessed by the faithful preaching of God’s Word. I find Pastor Koshy’s teaching especially edifying, because he does not seek to please people, but to teach and correct according to Scripture. Through the teaching ministry of the church, my understanding of God’s truths has deepened, and my faith has been strengthened.

I thank God for leading me to Gethsemane B-P Church. May the Lord continue to bless and use Pastor Koshy, together with the elders, preachers, and deacons, in their worship services, teaching ministries, and mission work — that the Gospel may reach more people, and that they may hear the Good News, repent, and believe in Christ.

May all glory be to the Lord. Amen.

Yeo Toong Lee

“Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations” (Psa 100:4-5).

It is God’s goodness and grace extended to me, such a wretched man, that caused me to take the step of faith to receive Jesus into my life. I praise the Lord for His mercy granted to me, a sinner, causing me to repent and turn to Him for salvation.

I was a devoted Buddhist before I came to know Jesus Christ as my Lord and Saviour. I was immersed in the world, striving after material success and accumulating wealth, until a devastating stroke more than ten years ago struck me, leaving my entire left side – from my hand to my leg – severely affected. I prayed to my Buddhist god for healing, but I was never healed. I was upset as life was futile and meaningless. Though I’m married, I was lonely all this time. 

After my stroke, I was impaired, and I have difficulty with my movement. I couldn’t walk properly. I was devastated and filled with indignation. Why would this happen to me? Besides this, I could no longer practise Buddhism, as its teachings required me to do some ceremonial rituals, which I am unfit to do due to my condition. My wife then suggested that we remove the gods and altar for good. The religious people arrived and removed everything. Since then, I have not worshipped or prayed to any god. 

Four years ago, I was introduced to Saint Luke ElderCare, a Christian day-care centre for the elderly. A few Christian groups came to minister to us with the Gospel. However, I was not convinced of the Gospel truths till June last year, when the team from Gethsemane B-P Church came to minister to us at Tampines Saint Luke ElderCare Centre. I thank God for the speakers who preached the Gospel message to us. I also thank the Lord for a group of dedicated brethren who would walk around after the meeting to encourage us further and reach out to us by praying for and ministering to us, particularly Sister May, who was fervent in reaching out to me. 

I thank the Lord for Pr Jeremiah and his wife, Gina, for helping me get to church so I could worship the Lord with the brethren. Besides this, I am delighted to get to know many church brethren, too. It was a joy to me, and I thank God for such an opportunity given to me. Please remember me in your prayers, as I am a new Christian and have much to learn from the Bible. “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose” (Rom 8:28). All glory be unto God.