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(A lesson based on the life of Job)

Introduction

To know that someone loves us is a joyous matter. It is a tremendous pleasure to know that someone is really happy about us. When parents, relatives, teachers, bosses or friends commend our efforts, we know our labours have not been in vain.

However, very often people forget or neglect our real efforts. Worse still, some people repay our efforts with false allegations, slander and even persecution. Very often, the labours of God’s people have gone unnoticed and unrewarded. This is even true in churches. But the Lord whom we worship and serve is a great rewarder of our service for Him.

The Lord Jesus said, "And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward" (Matthew 10:42). The Lord looks upon every faithful, upright child of His with great pleasure. He will commend them. He is eager to talk about them before His Father and the holy angels. In Luke 12:8, we read Jesus as saying, "Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God."

Saints are the Lord’s chief delight

The Lord’s remark about Job in Job 1:7-8 shows that He would acknowledge His servant not only before the Father and the holy angels but even before His arch-enemy, the devil. "And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it. And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?" (Job 1:7-8).

The above remarks of the Lord remind me of the truth that the psalmist wrote about a happy father who delights in his children before his enemies: "Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate" (Psalm 127:5).

The devil is a false accuser and a destroyer of the testimonies of God’s children. So, God holds up his faithful child, Job, as a trophy of His victory over Satan. The Lord delights to lift up the testimony of His servant Job for His own glory, and to the shame of His wicked foe.

Take note that God’s praise of Job is very open and lavish. He is unrestrained in His commendation of His child. If the devil dared to question Job’s integrity at this point of time, he would not be just challenging Job, but the LORD God Himself and His perfect integrity. So the devil did not put up an argument about the truthfulness of God’s statement concerning Job.

We must also note that here the Lord was not defending Job, but commending him. The righteousness of the child of God was His arrow against the devil. Again, my mind goes back to Psalm 127:4, 5 - "As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate."

I certainly believe that the Lord will be very pleased to take glory through the sanctified lives of His people. O saints of God, how do you feel in your heart today to know that your Lord is very proud of you and that you are His prime subject of His boast before His arch-enemy?

How to be God’s pure delight?

Be like Job. Well, I am not suggesting that you must be rich as Job. The world may appreciate you if you are rich. But notice that the Lord had not boasted to Satan about Job’s wealth! Rather, the Lord’s praise of Job was all about his spiritual virtues. In verse 8, we read, "And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?"

This truth is brought to our attention by the prophet Jeremiah in Jeremiah 9:24, "But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD."

The Lord delights in lovingkindness, judgment and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things He delights. So, those who are His saints must know what will please their Lord, and go about fulfilling His pleasure and be His delight:

• Honesty and truthfulness in His children make the Lord greatly delighted - "Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight" (Proverbs 12:22).
• Righteousness of His children makes the Lord greatly delighted - "They that are of a froward heart are abomination to the LORD: but such as are upright in their way are his delight" (Proverbs 11:20).
• Prayer of His children makes the Lord greatly delighted - "The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright is his delight" (Proverbs 15:8).

I am sure some of you might be thinking how you can ever be a delight to Him, knowing that sin will not make the Lord happy with you and that there are sins that easily beset you? Are you wondering, “Can I ever be His delight?”

Dear brethren, this is the time when we must look to the Lord. To be the delight of the Lord, we must trust in our Redeemer all the time, that we may be cleansed and sanctified. Job 19:25 says, "For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth". (Cf. Job 33:26 - "He shall pray unto God, and he will be favourable unto him: and he shall see his face with joy: for he will render unto man his righteousness.")

Today, Christians at large “entertain” themselves by watching others break all of the Ten Commandments. It seems that for many, God’s eternal standards do not apply to their modern artistic and media entertainment. This problem is especially acute for Christian youths who find that their friends (Christian and non- Christian) attend nearly all of the innumerable movies targeted at their generation.

While it is true that it is very difficult to produce a list of dos and don'ts, it is totally wrong to assume that as long as an activity pleases one’s heart, it should be alright to engage in it. The natural thoughts, imaginations and desires of human hearts are always evil. “And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually" (Genesis 6:5). But through the law of God, we can know and fulfil God’s righteousness and truth. As the psalmist wrote, "Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and thy law is the truth" (Psalm 119:142).

In what follows, we will consider the principles taught in the Ten Commandments to discover their relationship to the entertainment pursuits of those who would follow Jesus Christ.

1. I am the LORD thy God…Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Entertainment is one of the biggest industries worldwide. Christians are also lured into working in the secular entertainment sector. Jesus cautions us, "For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also" (Matthew 6:21). Therefore, Christians must be wary of anything that would cause them to forget the priority of a relationship with God. Every Christian’s focus should be to put God first in his life. When it comes to entertainment, we must ask: Does this honour God as first in my life?

2. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image. Idolatry is not just a problem confined to some past pagan culture. Today, there is as much energy given to the worship of created things as ever before in history. We are not surprised to hear of those who "idolise" popular media celebrities. In fact, the cultural images we identify with are almost certainly the key indicators of the inclinations of the heart. Jesus warned that "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" (Matthew 6:24). When it comes to entertainment, we must ask: Does this help me to keep my focus on God?

3. Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain. Misuse of the name of God appears to be an integral part of contemporary entertainment. Yet Jesus said, "Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name" (Matthew 6:9). Would we really sit quietly in a movie where the name of our father, mother, brother or sister is being used in vain? When it comes to entertainment, we must ask: Does it give due honour to God’s name and character?

4. Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Jesus said that "the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath" (Luke 6:5). We must not spend our time on the Lord’s Day for worldly entertainments, but for the worship of Christ and the mutual edification of our souls. Christians not only have to live a holy life on the Lord’s Day, but also every day of the week. When it comes to entertainment, we must ask: Does what I choose on Friday agree with what I do on "holydays"?

5. Honour thy father and thy mother. Today, traditional family values are minimised, forgotten or even mocked by what is called modern entertainment. Though there is great value in entertainment that affirms relationships bound by mutual honour, parental honour seems the least-valued ideal of family relationships. When it comes to entertainment, we must ask: Does this build up and give honour to loving relationships in the family?

6. Thou shalt not kill. One of the two main pillars of media power is the unreal presentation of violence. The emotions of this generation are exploited for money. Jesus said, "Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you… that ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven" (Matthew 5:44, 45). When it comes to entertainment, we must ask: Does this cause me to view others as potential children of God?

7. Thou shalt not commit adultery. The other pillar of media power is the unreal presentation of sex. With all the difficulties of growing up in an oversexed culture, we can no longer stand idly by while the passions of this generation are being exploited for money. Further, we must all guard against seeing people as objects of pleasure. Jesus said, "Whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart" (Matthew 5:28). When it comes to entertainment, we must ask: Does this cause me to view sex as a matter of faithfulness in marriage?

8. Thou shalt not steal. Stealing is wrong. In fact, the modern myth of "stealing from the rich to give to the poor" is largely advanced by the entertainmentobsessed media elite. When it was demanded of Jesus to redistribute a certain man’s inheritance, He responded by saying, "Man, who made me a judge or a divider over you? … Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth" (Luke 12:14, 15). When it comes to entertainment, we must ask: Does this cause me to think of my possessions with thanksgiving to God?

9. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour. Too often, emotional stories are used as a way to get around discernment. Just because we are told that a "story is based on the truth", we have no guarantee of the truthfulness of the story. Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me" (John 14:6). When it comes to entertainment, we must ask: Does this cause me to see the truth of Christ?

10. Thou shalt not covet. Lust is the excessive desire for something that we cannot or should not have. Too often, we are tempted to entertain ourselves with what we know is wrong on the excuse that we are morally "strong enough" to withstand the temptation. Jesus said, "Out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: all these evil things come from within, and defile the man" (Mark 7:21-23). When it comes to entertainment, we must ask: Does this cause me to desire only the good that God has given for my pleasure?

From the above application of God’s commandments, it should be clear that modern entertainment is often a gross violation of God’s holy laws. The question we need to ask is: Does this form of entertainment provide a proper avenue to honour God’s law? We need to constantly check whether our choices of entertainment reflect on our current relationship with God, who has given us His law to protect and provide for our lives.

Therefore, when we see those who are discerning in their choice of entertainment, do not discount their lifestyle as "legalistic". Rather, a commitment to God’s precepts will require one to abstain from many of the modern entertainments. The Christian, when challenged by those who ask: "Is this entertainment really that bad?", should simply respond: "Does it really honour His holy laws?"

Colossians 4:5 exhorts us that we “Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.” Christians are instructed here concerning their conduct “toward them that are without” the church.

Relating to people outside the household of faith poses peculiar challenges to the Christians. Unbelieving family members, colleagues at work, fellow students, neighbours and other associates – all have principles or philosophies of life and conduct that are contrary to the biblical counsels that God has given for believers to live by. Many things that are lawful in this world are unlawful according to God’s Word. For example, while there exist legalised gambling and prostitution in our societies, Scripture prohibits them completely. While many think that participating in different religious worship ceremonies / activities is good, such conduct is condemned in the Bible as abomination. Christians cannot join those who practise things that are prohibited in the Bible.

So, Christians are admonished to “walk in wisdom toward them that are without”. Our lives must be guided by the highest wisdom of God’s Word. God has said in Deuteronomy 4:6, “Keep therefore and do them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations, which shall hear all these statutes, and say, Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.” In the same manner, Psalm 111:10 instructs His people, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.” By living wisely according to His Word, we seek not the honour and praise that cometh from man, but from God (cf. John 5:44; 12:43). The praiseworthy conduct of a Christian is that he walks in the wisdom of God’s Word.

In Romans 16:19, the apostle Paul commended the Roman Christians who walked in obedience to God’s Word as wise. He said, “For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil.” Christians’ conduct must always be a testimony to the righteousness and goodness of their Lord and His counsels.

We also should not give opportunity to the unbelieving to malign our faith because of our unwise conduct. But we must “buy up” (“redeem”) every opportunity to bear a good testimony for the Lord. Let us not just wait for opportunity to fall into our lap. Let us arise and shine for Christ!

Christians’ Speech Among Non-Christians

Colossians 4:6 exhorts us, “Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.”

A Christian’s speech, as much as his conduct, must befit his faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Our speech must not be like that of the unregenerate people. Our speech should never be channels of boasting, arrogance, lies, deceit, lust, profanity, hatred, curse, intimidation, violence, vanity, flattery, foolishness, idle talk, swearing, slander, gossip, or false teaching.

Our Lord’s speech was impeccable. There was never an imperfect or condemnable word that had proceeded from His mouth. In Luke 4:22, we have a record concerning Christ’s speech: “And all bare him witness, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth.” Yet, His enemies were “laying wait for him, and seeking to catch something out of his mouth, that they might accuse him” (Luke 11:54; cf. Matthew 22:15; Mark 12:13). In the end, they could not find anything wrong with His speech, and resorted to engaging false accusers against Him. Our conformity to Christ demands our conformity to His speech; hence the divine imperative: “Let your speech be alway with grace”. This is an exhortation to cultivate speech that is spiritually wholesome, fitting, truthful, loving, kind, sensitive, encouraging and gracious as well. Our speech must demonstrate the grace of God that is operative in our hearts.

At all times, we must maintain gracious speech. Gracious speech must be a habitual characteristic in our interactions with fellow men. In all circumstances of life, we must learn to maintain gracious speech. Whether it be a casual conversation with family members or friends, a stressful situation at home or work, a time of provocation and persecution, a time of Bible Study, a time of giving counsel, or a time of play, let us be careful to maintain gracious speech. Our speech should never be abrasive, rash, vitriolic or nasty.

Now, this does not mean that our speech must be “dripping” with undue words of niceties. But as Paul adds, it must be “seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man”. Our speech ought to be not only gracious, but also effective like the seasoning effect of salt. As salt penetrates the meat to give it taste and prevent decay, so must our speech be reproving, correcting and instructing. We must speak wisely, with spiritual discernment, in order to answer every man appropriately.

Examples and Consequences of Unpreparedness

If one has a petition to make before a king, one will be mindful to prepare oneself before an audience with the king. One would think through very carefully what to say, what clothes to adorn for the occasion, and the proper conduct to behave before royalties. It would be audacious to rush into the king’s palace without proper preparation. Similarly, it is inappropriate for Christians to demand God’s attention without proper preparation.

The Most High God has graciously provided ways to interact with Him. He has not saved us to leave us alone, but wants us to involve Him in all aspects of our life. We can sing praises to Him in hymns, psalms and spiritual songs, pray to Him and intercede on others’ behalf, and go before Him in worship and devotion. Preparing to seek God prepares us for the intimate interaction between God and us. Scripture is full of instances of godly saints who sought God not at the spur of the moment, but by making due preparations.

be almost impossible to prepare due to our critical, urgent circumstances. When Peter was drowning in the boisterous sea, he was utterly helpless and could only cry out, “Lord, save me” (Matthew 14:30). If we are suddenly caught in a similar manner, the Lord will be very gracious to receive us just as how Jesus reached out to Peter as He “stretched forth his hand, and caught him” (v. 31) out of the boisterous sea. Nonetheless, under normal circumstances, the failure to prepare oneself to seek God will lead to dire consequences and may lead one to do evil.

For instance, it was recorded that King Rehoboam of the Old Testament did evil because he did not prepare himself to seek God. “And he did evil, because he prepared not his heart to seek the Lord” (2 Chronicles 12:14). God attributes Rehoboam’s evil doing to his lack of preparation to seek Him. Rather than being drawn to God, a Christian who is not prepared to be drawn close to God will be drawn to evil. The inclination to do evil starts with an ill-prepared heart to seek God. Also, during King Jehoshaphat’s reign, the people of Judah were unrepentant of their sins and remained in their evil ways because they had not prepared their hearts unto God. Regardless of King Jehoshaphat being a godly king (2 Chronicles 20:32), the heart condition of the people was not set aright. “Howbeit the high places were not taken away: for as yet the people had not prepared their hearts unto the God of their fathers” (2 Chronicles 20:33). The Israelites did not remove the idolatrous places of worship because they did not prepare their hearts unto God, showing an unrepentant heart that is not willing to let go of harboured sins. In God’s sight, Christians who do not prepare and set the hearts aright are deemed as being “stubborn and rebellious” (Psalm 78:8). Therefore, it is absolutely necessary to make preparation to seek God. How can we do that?

Meaning of the Word “Prepare

How to prepare one’s heart can be gleaned from the meaning of the Hebrew word often translated as “prepare”. It gives the idea of setting up something so as to make it firm and established. It means to make something unmoveable like the foundation of a house. It speaks of a resolve and determination to do something. Seeking God begins with an unmoveable and undeterred resolve to go before Him. No circumstances and feelings will stop a Christian who is resolved to seek God. The affairs of life must not be excuses for one not to go before God. Psalm 57:7 reflects David’s determination to seek God. The verse says, “My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise.” David did not let any difficult circumstances stop him from singing unto and praising God. Even when David’s enemies “have prepared a net” for his steps and “have digged a pit before” him (Psalm 57:6), David was resolved even in life-threatening situations to give glory unto God by singing and praising Him. In all circumstances, we must be determined to praise God rather than let situations dictate how we act.

To further reinforce the idea of preparedness, we shall look at the various examples in the Bible of people who prepared before they sought God.

Biblical Examples of Preparation

Priests washed their hands and feet in the laver of brass
The priests of the Old Testament were commanded by God to wash their hands and feet in a laver of brass filled with water before they went into the Tabernacle of the congregation or before they approached the altar of sacrifice (Exodus 30:17-21). It was mandatory for priests to have their hands and feet washed before they went into the Tabernacle, which symbolised the very presence of God. They must also wash their hands and feet before they offered animal sacrifices on the altar.

Therefore, Christians must be prepared to be cleansed of their sins when they approach God in prayer or do any of God’s work. No one should come before God or be engaged in any service unto God with any idea of keeping some secret sins. God will only accept one who has “clean hands, and a pure heart” (Psalm 24:4) to “ascend into the hill of the Lord” (Psalm 24:3).

God has an extremely high view of the manner His people approach Him or do His work. Any priest during Moses’ days who failed to wash his hands or feet before they went into the Tabernacle or burnt offerings would die (Exodus 30:20). It is thus of utmost importance that Christians come before God in full consecration unto holiness.

Sacrifice of Isaac
God commanded the patriarch Abraham to offer Isaac, his son, as a sacrifice to Him on Mount Moriah. It was a test designed by God for Abraham to see if he would obey God or not. It was the way that God dictated Abraham to approach Him. Despite the extreme difficulty in performing this sacrifice, Abraham made ample preparation to the best of his ability to fulfil what God required. “And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and saddled his ass, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son, and clave the wood for the burnt offering, and rose up, and went unto the place of which God had told him (Genesis 22:3).” Abraham woke up early to make the three-day journey from Beersheba to Mount Moriah. Abraham was undeterred from making the long journey to where God wanted him to perform the sacrifice. He also prepared two young men to carry the wood for the sacrifice. Abraham wanted to make sure that the sacrifice would be carried out without any hindrances.

It is quite unlikely that any of us is required by God to go through the exact same test that Abraham went through. But we can learn from the way in which he overcame all obstacles in order to approach God. Similarly, Christians are to expect obstacles when we seek God. In spite of hindrances, let us all duly overcome them so that we may approach God.

Jesus rose up early in the morning
Himself to pray. He woke up very early in the morning and retreated to places where He could pray. Luke 1:35 says, “And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.” Waking up early and withdrawing ourselves are ways in which we can prepare ourselves to seek God. In a typical day, a person will be busy and occupied with his daily tasks. He has to handle many different issues that come his way. Rising up early sets a time apart that will free up a person to seek God. Likewise, Job had this godly resolve to rise up early and offer burnt offerings for his children (Job 1:5). Rising up early and setting oneself apart is a godly habit to adopt.

Conclusion

In the issues of life, we would often make preparations for what is to come. We will plan meticulously and prepare in anticipation of the future. We try to be as diligent as we can to prepare ourselves for what might come our way. All the more in your spiritual life, will you ready yourself to seek God?

"Ye cannot serve the LORD” (Joshua 24:19) – that was exactly what Joshua asserted to the Israelites who had said, “therefore will we also serve the LORD; for he is our God” (v. 18). It must have been a crushing statement to a people who expressed their zeal to serve the LORD. But why such a staggering admonition? Why would Joshua tell them that they cannot serve the LORD?

John Calvin commented that such a harsh mode of rebuke was necessary “in order to rouse a sluggish people, rendered more lethargic by security… Joshua does not deter them from serving God, but only explains how refractory and disobedient they are, in order that they may learn to change their temper.”

Serving God is not what we do when and however we like. It demands absolute surrender to God’s will. At His bidding, we must set out to do all that He says with faithfulness and zeal. We cannot decide when and how we would serve Him, for it is God’s sole prerogative as the Sovereign One.

Serving God begins with an acknowledgment that we are incapable of serving Him on our own. It is what the theologians have called the doctrine of “moral inability”. Our impure hearts and unclean hands are an abomination to the most Holy God. This is what Joshua meant when he said to the people, “Ye cannot serve the LORD: for he is an holy God; he is a jealous God; he will not forgive your transgressions nor your sins” (v. 19). Offering something to God or doing something in the LORD’s name would not be regarded as a service, if those who render them do not repent and put away their sins.

So Joshua warned them earlier, “Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the LORD” (Joshua 24:14). Service demands absolute consecration to God.

If God be served at all, He must be served alone. Nothing and no one should be allowed to take first place in our hearts, except the LORD. No other claimant can be our God. This was also Jesus’ admonition when He said, “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” (Matthew 6:24).

Today, in the church, many come to serve God, but their hearts hanker after the gods of our time – wealth, luxury, carnal pleasure, headknowledge, fame, etc. How can God ever be pleased with their service? Jesus warned, “This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men” (Matthew 15:8-9).

If God be served at all, He must be served in sincerity and truth. God will search through and through every form of service offered to Him, and hence it must be sincere and “clean every whit”, or it will not be acceptable to Him. Every service rendered to God must be born out of obedience to His Word. The service to our holy God must be rendered with humility and resolve of heart (cf. Acts 20:19), with faith and prayer (Hebrews 11:6), with all our strength and might (Ecclesiastes 9:10; Romans 12:11), and with gladness and thanksgiving (Psalm 95:2; 100:2; Colossians 3:23).

Testimony of God’s Mercies

Dear Pastor,

I am writing a personal testimony about how God has been gracious and merciful towards me over the past 9 years ever since I was diagnosed with psoriasis. In a nutshell, psoriasis is an auto-immune skin condition whereby the immune system attacks the body’s own tissues, causing inflammation on the skin and potentially on the joints as well. On the inflamed parts of the skin, the skin cells are on an overdrive, reproducing at a much faster rate than normal. Because of this rapid build-up of skin, the top layer of the skin will turn flaky and fall off. Currently, nobody knows the exact cause or has found a definite cure for this skin problem.

Living with psoriasis can be a little inconvenient. Sometimes, the affected area on the skin can get itchy and will bleed easily when scratched. I will sometimes wake up the next morning to find small bloodstains on the bed sheet. If I do not clean the room regularly, the floor will be littered with flaky skin.

I want to praise God for His hand of grace towards me, for helping me to accept my skin condition as it is and to learn how to live with it. At times, I would feel depressed thinking about my skin condition and become more self-conscious about my own appearance. However, the Lord quickly reminds me of His words to the apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 12:9 – “My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.” Secondly, I also want to thank God that my skin condition serves as a reminder of the ugliness of sin and the need to always lead a life that is holy in God’s sight. Thirdly, I want to thank God for the brethren in the church who are concerned about me and have offered me advice and supplements to help me improve my skin condition.

Should it be the Lord’s will that I should live with this condition for the rest of my life, I pray for the Lord’s grace to continue to strengthen my faith. I pray also that I will think less about my earthly body which is prone to infirmities and corruption, and look forward to the glory and joy of Christ’s presence in heaven (1 Corinthians 15:52-54).

All glory be to God!

Best regards,
Ernest Lim

God willing, the 5th Missionary Conference of Gethsemane B-P Church will be held in Kuching (Sarawak, East Malaysia) from 5th to 9th of June this year. We thank God that about 170 people have already registered to attend this conference. (If you have not yet registered for the conference, I would encourage you to immediately register and book your flights to avoid disappointment of missing this blessed occasion that the Lord has helped us to organise).

The Purpose

Missionary conferences are held for a twofold purpose. Firstly, that Gethsemane B-P Church, Singapore, as a whole may renew itself concerning her God-given vision of global Gospel advancement – “… 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). Secondly, that the church may bring together her missionaries, mission-partners and preachers, as well as like-minded preachers of other churches, in order to encourage and strengthen them through the Word, prayer and fellowship. It is a special blessing to have various servants of God to come together, that we may have an opportunity to cheer their hearts in the Lord and also to learn together from His Word. This conference has hitherto afforded us a God-given opportunity, wherein our care for His servants and worldwide preaching of the truth may flourish again (cf. Philippians 4:10).

The History

• 1st Missionary Conference (2005, Nov 28-Dec 02) – The Saujana, Subang, KL, Malaysia
• 2nd Missionary Conference (2007, Nov 27-Dec 01) – Cebu City, The Philippines
• 3rd Missionary Conference (2011, Dec 05-11) – Gethsemane BPC, Alem Gena, Ethiopia
• 4th Missionary Conference (2014, May 23-27) – The Chevrons, Singapore

The Theme

The theme of the upcoming Missionary Conference will be: “That the Truth of the Gospel Might Continue with Us” (cf. Galatians 2:5). This theme is utterly important for us, as we see in these days an increasing trend of perversion of the Gospel in churches.

The churches of our time have been careless about Gospel preaching. Many churches propagate a distorted, diluted Gospel, as they are concerned about preaching messages that please people, rather than honour Christ and His redemptive work. Churches have also lost their zeal in declaring the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Many are more focused on charitable activities, the promotion of the “health-wealth” gospel, and have neglected declaring the unadulterated Gospel.

We should neither forget nor neglect the primacy of the Gospel in the ministries of our church. God intends for the church to always declare and defend the truth of the Gospel. So in all our mission churches and evangelistic outreaches, the truth of the Gospel must be unashamedly declared.

The Organising Team

A team of brethren have been appointed to help run the 5th Missionary Conference. The team leader (who is the Camp Master) is Dn Low Boon Siang, and he has gathered a team to co-labour with him. Let us pray that the Lord will bless their labours in organising the camp. The team consists of Dn Kelvin Lim, Pr Jeremiah Sim, Pr Ho Kee How, Pr Andrew Koh, Dn Lok Kwok Wah, Kenneth Wong, Cayson Chok, Gerry Lee, Matthew Mah, Benny Skariah, Matthew Peh, Ernest Lim, David Tan, Ng Kwan Teng, Arnold Diaz, Cornelius Koshy and Andronicus Koshy.

The Need

The estimated fund for the expenses of the Missionary Conference is close to S$50,000. This amount is needed for the plane tickets, accommodation, meals, etc. for our missionaries and needy brethren. Incidentally, in 2005 (i.e. 12 years ago), we raised about S$30,000 for the first missionary conference. After 12 years, it is certain that our expenses will increase. Let us pray and support financially by giving to the Missionary Conference Fund.

The fund must be met quickly, as we need to book the plane tickets for all the missionaries to come from the countries where they serve. Please give cheerfully and speedily. May God bless our efforts to strengthen our missionaries and their Gospel work.

There are all sorts of opinions about what should characterise a church. Many ideas are being offered to church leaders by the so-called church growth experts and business strategists who claim to have developed powerful ideas, having studied many opinion surveys of the people. Their ideas and activities are enthusiastically considered as vital to becoming an effective church.

It appears that churches which implemented the opinions of the ‘experts’ have grown in huge numbers. They recommend more entertainment in the church services – entertaining music, dance and light-hearted preaching, etc.

We should not be consulting the modern church growth experts for any counsel with regard to what sort of church we should be. Scripture provides us with very clear advice about the kind of church we ought to be. In 1 Timothy 3:15, it is said of the church that it is “the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.” Here we are given some very essential truths about what a proper church ought to be.

We must always be the house of God

Just as it is said in 1 Timothy 3:15, seven more times it is mentioned in the New Testament that the church is “the church of God”. The emphasis in this description of the church is that God is its originator and owner. The church is God’s design, and it is meant always to remain as God’s belonging.

And in contrast to the temples of dead pagan idols, Paul says that the church is of the living God (1 Timothy 3:15). Our God is actively moulding and guiding the church to be what He wants it to be. His church is being built by Him. Jesus said, “I will build my church” (Matthew 16:18).

Every biblical church must therefore be Godcentred rather than people-centred. A total dedication to God's glory must be seen in all its ministries. Every church “ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more” (1 Thessalonians 4:1; cf. Galatians 1:10). Unfortunately, many churches today have a “consumer-focused” attitude in their ministries, thus working to please men rather than God.

A biblical church’s great concern is not to please the crowd but God. The main focus of its worship and ministry must be for the glory of God rather than making people feel good. In other words, a biblical church will not be preoccupied with people's preferences but God's will. When a church is manoriented rather than God-oriented, it ceases to function as a biblical church.

Psalm 2:11 says, “Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling.” In other words, when we worship and serve the Lord, we must come with joy and thanksgiving that is tempered with a respectful fear of God. A solemn recognition of God's greatness and holiness must prevail in the worship of God. So the apostle Peter wrote: “And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear” (1 Peter 1:17). We can come to God without terror, but that does not mean we can conduct ourselves without fear of His holiness and judgment. Concerning the early Jerusalem church, it is written: “And fear came upon every soul” (Acts 2:43a).

A good church, therefore, will be conscious that its pre-eminent duty is not entertaining man but glorifying God. Certainly, a church should serve its people but only when that service brings glory to the Lord.

We must be loyal to God's Word

The second characteristic of the early church was an unswerving commitment of its leaders and members to God's Word. The church being “the pillar and ground of the truth” (1 Timothy 3:15), we must have high regard for the perfection and authority of God’s Word.

While the apostles preached and defended the truth of God's Word, the members learned and obeyed the truth. Allegiance to God's Word is a foundational trait of every good church. Acts 2:42 testifies to the continual devotion of the early church to the apostles' teaching – “And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine...” This tells us that the early believers were earnestly and perpetually dedicated to the apostles' teaching; it also speaks of enthusiasm and excitement towards it. The Greek word translated “teaching” (didache) encompasses both the content and the manner of the apostles' teaching. Understanding both of these fully will help us to biblically evaluate any church today.

Concerning the content of the apostles' teaching, we have the testimony of Paul in Acts 20:20-21 – “And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house, testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.” Later, he wrote: “For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God” (Acts 20:27).

The manner of the apostle's teaching was effective and pleasing to God. The following are some vital observations concerning the manner in which the preaching of God's Word was done in the early church:

• They preached God's Word authoritatively and without apology. Paul wrote to Titus, a young pastor, saying, “These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee” (Titus 2:15).
• They preached God's Word in a relevant manner. In their sermons, they answered people's questions and doubts; they rebuked sins and erroneous teachings; they ministered peace and joy through the exposition of God's promises; and gave guidance to those who were confused and unsure of important choices in life. Their sermons were like divine counsels for people's needs and problems (Titus 2:1-6).
• Their messages were both evangelistic and instructional (2 Timothy 4:1-5).
• They lived a life that was consistent with their preaching. Their lives were living sermons (2 Thessalonians 3:7-9; 1 Timothy 4:11-12).

It is most appropriate at this time to consider Calvin's words concerning the kind of church that we should choose. While commenting on Acts 2:42, he said, “Do we seek the true Church of Christ? The picture of it is here painted to the life. He begins with doctrine, which is the soul of the Church. He does not name doctrine of any kind but that of the apostles which the Son of God had delivered by their hands. Therefore, wherever the pure voice of the Gospel sounds forth, where men continue in the profession thereof, where they apply themselves to the regular hearing of it that they may profit thereby, there beyond all doubt is the Church.”

Personal worship or devotion is a time when each individual devotes himself to meditation of God’s Word and prayer, as a special means of communion with God. During this special time of individual worship, singing of psalms and hymns can enhance one’s adoration and worship of God. Such a special time with God can be observed early in the morning or in the evening. Some devout Christians, like Daniel of old, would even have their personal time of worship with God three times a day (Daniel 6:10, 13; Psalm 55:17)!

Private worship is most necessary to one’s faithful, triumphant and fruitful Christian life. It is also the root of family and public worship. A man who neglects personal worship would fail to render genuine and fervent family and public worship. Just as he who labours must have his three meals, a fervent Christian must also have his spiritual feeding and communion with God daily.

Some have argued that there is no express command in the Bible to instruct people to observe daily personal worship or devotion. On the contrary, the Bible records very many injunctions to continual meditation of God’s Word and prayer, as well as examples of personal worship by godly men (such as Daniel), for us to follow.

Consider the following biblical commands that call us to daily and frequent devotion of His Word:

• Deuteronomy 11:18 – “Therefore shall ye lay up these my words in your heart and in your soul…”
• Deuteronomy 17:19 – “And it shall be with him, and he shall read therein all the days of his life...”
• Deuteronomy 30:14 – “But the word is very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that thou mayest do it.”
• Joshua 1:8 – “This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.”
• Isaiah 59:21 – “As for me, this is my covenant with them, saith the LORD; My spirit that is upon thee, and my words which I have put in thy mouth, shall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy seed, nor out of the mouth of thy seed’s seed, saith the LORD, from henceforth and for ever.”
• Psalm 1:2-3 – “But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.”
• Proverbs 2:1-5 – “My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee; so that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding; yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; if thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.”
• John 5:39 – “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.”
• Colossians 3:16 – “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom...”
• 1 Timothy 4:15-16 – “Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all. Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.”

Now, consider the biblical exhortations to pray often, and to make prayer a continual habit:

• Matthew 6:6, 11 highlight Jesus teaching us to pray alone in a “secret” place, and also to pray “daily”.
• 1 Thessalonians 5:17 – “Pray without ceasing.”
• Ephesians 6:18 – “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit…”
• Romans 15:30 – “…ye strive together with me in your prayers to God...”

Daily feeding upon God’s Word, and communing with God in prayer and worship songs, are essential to our souls’ spiritual nurture and strength. How can we, who claim to love God, be satisfied without having communion and worship of Him?

Brethren, begin and end your day with the Lord. Let your souls be daily renewed and enriched in His presence through His Word and prayer. We should not view prayer as a mere religious performance; nor should our prayers be vain repetitions of asking for some material benefits that we need from God. Rather, it should be the joyful claiming of God’s promises that we read in His Word. As one puritan, William Gurnall, said, “Prayer is nothing but the promise reversed.” He also said, “The mightier any is in the Word, the more mighty he will be in prayer.” If you are regular in your personal devotion, you will certainly be mighty in the Lord.

This a report on the patient and prayerful waiting of 120 followers of Christ, including the apostles (except Judas Iscariot), after His ascension. They were facing a hostile and uncertain future after the Lord has been captured and killed by the dwellers of Jerusalem. Yet they had a mandate from their Master to fulfil in that city, even to preach Christ to those who crucified Him, before they move on to other parts of Judea and then to the ends of the earth. Their situation was indeed very dire. What would they do? Call for a planning meeting? Or hire famous consultants? Or quit being followers of Christ and go back to their old professions like fishing and tax collection?

They resorted to an upper room in Jerusalem so that they might pray together. There, with one accord, they besought the LORD for guidance and help. It was the only solution that the infant church had in their dreadful circumstance, but the best. Soon they received the outpouring of the Holy Spirit – whom Jesus has promised them – and they were empowered to be bold and effective witnesses of Christ! Though the adverse circumstance only got worse, they did triumph over all the intimidations, needs and obstacles and the church grew in number and in spiritual strength. The church continued in prayer, and their prayer meetings grew in frequency and in size.

Beloved Gethsemaneans, in the New Year, many challenges, burdens and difficulties lay before us in the service of our Lord. Besides all the regular ministries and their burdens, we are much pressed in our hearts and minds because of the urgent need for premises to accommodate our growing ministries, resources, staff, etc. Though we desired to accomplish it by the end of 2016, our best efforts have fallen far too short of fulfilling it – whether it be funds or registration of CLG. We cannot be disheartened nor become lethargic. Though we have not yet achieved what we have desired in the Lord to do, we must continue to strive joyfully, especially to pray, which is most necessary. With one heart, we must come together to seek the Lord in prayer.

Another important project that we have in 2017 is the Missionary Conference (June 5th-9th). We have planned to bring our missionaries and pastors in fellowship with us together for the conference that will be held in Kuching, Sarawak. It is an important work to strengthen our world-wide Gospel endeavours. We need to have a fund of $50,000, which is yet to be accomplished.

It is high time for us to come together with one accord to pray, even with fasting. So I call you, together with the elders, preachers and deacons, to begin this New Year with a month of fasting and prayer on Tuesday nights. Throughout the month of January, we shall seek the Lord with fasting (except those who are unable to fast for medical reasons) during the Tuesday night prayer meetings.

We thank God that about 120 Gethsemaneans, young and old, regularly get together on Tuesday evenings to pray. Our prayer meetings have been the “granary” of divine provisions. We love our prayer meetings because of the divine presence and blessings that we experience.

I urge all the members and regular worshippers to make every effort to come for the prayer meetings. Let us come together with joy and earnestness. Surely, we will find all the wonderful divine provisions of wisdom, strength, faith and boldness to meet our many tasks, needs and problems.