In recent days, from time to time, I have found my heart being very anxious about our church’s building fund. Our desire and prayers have been that God will provide 5 million dollars, the fund needed to purchase a suitable venue for our church’s activities. The need for such a place is very dire, knowing that such a place is urgently needed for next year’s activities. However, we have only been able to collect about $1.4 million to date. With just about 45 days left, anxiety does assail my heart!

But praise be unto God, He has not left me without His gracious peace. His Spirit reminds me of His promises, His past works, His faithfulness, etc., which give me peace and assurance that He will see that all needs shall be supplied.

The exhortation in Philippians 4:6 is of particular help to all His children who encounter anxious moments. If we follow the divine counsel in this passage, we will all be able to withstand the attack of anxiety and overcome it. Please consider the exhortation based on Philippians 4:6 – “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.”

“Be careful for nothing”

Well, that is an old way of saying “be not anxious about anything”. The Greek word (merimnáō) translated “careful” does not indicate that we should not exercise care in carrying out our responsibilities. The same word is used to teach us to care for one another (cf. 1 Corinthians 12:25). We are also taught in the Scriptures to provide for our families (cf. 1 Timothy 5:8). The advice here is that we should free our minds from anxiety and worry.

An incessant concern for our temporal affairs is an evil that we should avoid. Firstly, it expresses lack of faith in God’s goodness and mercy. Anxiety proceeds from a heart that refuses to accept God’s good providence. Our Lord Jesus has assured us, saying, “your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things” (Matthew 6:32). Jesus also warned that to worry about daily necessities of life is to be like the Gentiles who know not the goodness of our God (cf. Matthew 6:32a). Let us not dishonour our God by worrying about our needs, our responsibilities, our troubles, etc. Anxiety equals distrust of God’s care for His own people. Anxiety is a sin, for it refuses to trust God’s gracious and good providence.

Secondly, the evil of anxiety is also seen in its effects on oneself. Anxiety will lead to self-destructive conduct and attitudes. Anxiety weakens a person physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. An anxious mind produces nothing good, only added trouble. Anxiety causes a person to be unhappy, moody, grumpy, illtempered and depressed. It has even turned some into maniacs! Anxiety is also known to cause severe physical trauma, resulting in migraine, body aches, vomiting, diarrhoea, high blood pressure, etc. Worse still, many have abandoned Christ because of their anxiety for material gain. Jesus said in Mark 4:19, “And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.” Anxiety will cause a person to be self-focused and worldly-minded.

One’s anxiety can also affect those who are around him. Obsessive mannerism caused by anxiety had wrecked many relationships and filled homes with unhappiness and quarrels. So let us cast off anxiety from our hearts. Whenever it assaults us, let us go to the LORD in prayer, and take hold of all His promises. Get rid of anxiety, and be more cheerful and productive by the grace and knowledge of the LORD.

Be prayerful

“But in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.”

Herein we have the remedy to the terrible malady of anxiety. Prayer helps us to battle anxiety and get rid of it from our hearts. By praying to God, we can repress anxiety. Prayer frees us from anxiety.

Prayer is the expression of our faith in the Lord. We tell the Lord all our needs and troubles in prayer because we trust in His help, which He has promised. When we pray, we affirm that God cares for us, and that His care for us is the best. Every praying man declares that no one ever cares for him like his God. When the heart is taught to believe in the good providence of God and encouraged to express that faith by communing with God in prayer, anxiety will naturally be resisted and driven out.

We are instructed that “in every thing” we must pray. “Don’t be anxious about anything, but pray about everything!” is the divine counsel. There are some who pray only when great needs or troubles come upon them. If we do not pray in everything, even what appears to be a “small matter” can fill our heart with anxiety and wreck our peace. Nothing is too small to destabilise our life; hence, nothing is too small to bring to God. If we are ready to believe that nothing is too great for God to care for, then let us also believe that nothing is too small for us to confide in Him. God, who made this gigantic universe, also cares for the tiny sparrows.

Prayer is the soul’s believing and reverential approach unto God. It consists of supplication, thanksgiving, etc. The word “prayer” denotes general prayer, which is a humble and reverential approach to God for help. The word “supplication” denotes a plea for a specific matter, thus expressing one’s craving for divine supply in his life. The word “thanksgiving” denotes grateful expressions of joy and confidence in God which honours and pleases God.

It is with thanksgiving that we ought to make our requests known to God. A prayer without thanksgiving is a selfish prayer. Can it be right to pray for benefits and never honour our Benefactor? Thanksgiving will prevent us from being preoccupied with our wants, and it will fill our minds with the praise of our benevolent God. Do not offer a formal prayer to submit a wish list. Let your prayers be “perfumed” with praise. In our sufferings, let us sing His praise and pray. Take the hymn book and sing as you pray.

To all who pray with thanksgiving, God assures: “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Though unfathomable to men, the praying Christian shall experience the powerful work of God’s peace. His peace shall protect us from being wrecked by anxiety and its foolish ways.

Dear Christian, are you always looking unto Jesus? Living a life of sincere faith means that your eyes are constantly fixed on Christ. Looking to the Lord is an absolute necessity for a Christian to live triumphantly for the Lord’s glory. Let us consider two specific biblical exhortations to all Christians concerning keeping our eyes on Christ.

Run Your Race with Christ in View

The Christian life is a race in which God’s child is focused on Christ from the beginning to the end. Christians are exhorted to “run with patience the race that is set before us” by “looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith” (Hebrews 12:1-2).

The Greek word for “looking” (aphoráō) literally means looking away from one thing to some other thing in a steadfast or intent manner. It has been used to denote the fixing of the mind upon something. It expresses the mental posture that all Christians should maintain in relation to Jesus, as they run their Christian race. It should be a holy habit of our souls to keep the Lord Jesus in our view.

Looking at Jesus at the beginning of the race and then totally keeping Him out of view, is not the right kind of faith that Scripture teaches us. We should never lose focus of Christ in our Christian race. The reality is, some of the people who started the race with us may drop out of the race altogether while some others may be distracted and refuse to keep up, thus leaving us disappointed and troubled. But we must not let our minds be affected by their quitting. We must look away and fix our thoughts upon Christ. Even if all around us are a constant encouragement to us in our Christian race, it could well be our own lethargy and lust that hinder our race. Only when our minds are steadfastly fixed on Christ can we then overcome all distractions and obstacles, and complete our Christian race.

We look away from all else to Jesus only, for He is “the author and finisher of our faith”. The Greek word for “author” was translated earlier as “captain” in chapter 2, verse 10. There it was said of Christ, “For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.” Christ has set the path and He calls us to follow Him. It is Him, not the crowd, that we follow. The course of our race is shown by Him. He leads and we follow. His is our Guide, Strength and Motivation in our Christian race.

Jesus, the author of our faith, has entered the heavenly sanctuary as our forerunner (6:19–20) and has opened “a new and living way” for us that leads to this sanctuary (10:20). He is the Beginning and the End, the Alpha and the Omega (Rev. 1:17; 21:6; 22:13). He is our perfect Saviour and Captain who is able to perfect all who have placed their trust in Him.

Ready Yourself in View of Christ’s Return

Titus 2:13 depicts Christians as, “Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ.” As we live on earth in this present age, we anticipate our “blessed hope”, which is “the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ”.

The Christian’s hope of Christ’s return is called “blessed”. The word “blessed” denotes all the blessings of His divine presence (cf. 1 Tim. 1:11; 6:15). What a blessing it is to have such a hope! Eternal blessings await Christians at His coming. When He comes, we shall be eternally delivered from all the temptations and trials of this world, and shall enter into eternal sinless perfection, joy, bliss, rewards and glory. We live every day with that sure hope. So we long for His return. Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 4:8, “Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.”

There has been some debate as to whether “that blessed hope” and “the glorious appearing” of Christ are two different events, namely Rapture (cf. 1 Thess. 4:6-17) and His return to this earth at the end of the seven-year Tribulation (cf. Rev. 19:11- 21). But there is little in this verse’s context to suggest that Paul was distinguishing those future events in connection with Christ’s return. Paul was simply saying that we are looking for the blessed hope, which is the appearing of the Lord. Although we understand those events of Rapture and His subsequent glorious return to rule the world for a thousand years (cf. Rev. 20:1-10; Isa. 2:1-4, 11; Ezek. 37; Dan. 2:44-45; 7:13- 14; Zech. 14) as distinct, Paul is here referring to the return of Christ as a whole, and not its various stages. The blessed hope is a fixed historical reality which we long for.

Why Believers Should Not Date Unbelievers

Two weeks ago, I have written to warn all Christian youths about the dangers of the dating practices that are prevalent in our society. It is generally a relationship whereby two unmarried individuals pursue a relationship purely based on their carnal senses. The outcome is flirting and fornication; and most of such relationships do not culminate in marriage either. Christians should not follow this worldly and sensual kind of dating that is so widely accepted as the norm in our society.

Such dating habits in schools and colleges lure many Christian youths into intimate relationships with unbelievers. This is creating a serious spiritual situation in Christian homes and churches. Increasingly, Christian youths become “trapped” in the sticky web of carnal relationships, eventually betraying spiritual truths, holiness and even the Lord Jesus Christ Himself whom they once professed. Tragedy, O utter tragedy! Souls “drugged” and dragged into the darkness of wild, sinful passions!

Dear youths, if I would not tell you about the evil of this unguarded pursuit of the world’s dirty game called “dating”, I am guilty of not doing anything to warn you of its dangers. I, for one, certainly do not want to bear the awful guilt of not telling you of the divine warning against building intimacy with the unbelievers. After reading what I have written to you, if you would still flirt with the worldly ones, then I cannot be held responsible for your choice of the worst for yourself. Please read carefully and take heed to what God’s Word teaches you.

1. Christians are commanded not to be in any kind of close relationship with unbelievers:This prohibition is most succinctly expressed in 2 Corinthians 6:14 - “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers”. The imagery used here is of two incompatible animals being put together under the same yoke. They would be such a mismatch; and working together for long is just not possible, as they are of different nature and temperament. It is both unwise conduct and a sin to choose an unbeliever to be a life-partner.

   The apostle Paul further exposes the foolishness of such an ‘unequal yoke’ through a series of rhetorical questions: “for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?” (2 Corinthians 6:14-15).

   There can be no spiritual wholesomeness in a marriage between a Christian and a non-Christian. No harmony whatsoever, but the worst conflicts of eternal proportions! The disparity and conflict between a Christian and a non-Christian will be just as between light and darkness, between Christ and false gods like Belial. Certainly there will be no blessing of the Lord upon such an unbiblical union.

2. Christians will be tarnished and corrupted by such relationships:In 1 Corinthians 15:33, believers are warned, “Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.” The term “evil communications” means the associating with evil or ungodly individuals. You deceive yourself when you choose to cultivate a close relationship with an unbeliever. Self-deception is the worst kind of deception, because you eventually betray yourself.

   When you choose an unbeliever, you have deceived yourself to accept the worst choice you could have made. An unbiblical alliance is an unholy alliance. It will prompt you to ungodly conduct. Corruption is a gradual change. Silently but surely, evil communications corrupt good manners. All the good manners that you have learned as a Christian child will eventually be lost.

   There is no safety in the company of those who have no fear of God. They have no spiritual and moral principles to abide by. They are openly immoral or unprincipled. Such association is dangerous to a true Christian. To have one who is destitute of faith and holiness to be your trusted friend is to endanger yourself with all sorts of ungodly evils.

3. Christians will not have the power and blessings of Christian faith and virtues:A couple’s faith and commitment to Jesus Christ is vital to overcoming challenges and hindrances to a blessed marriage life. Christian husbands are commanded to love their wives like Christ – “Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it” (Ephesians 5:25). A man, who has not known the love of Christ, certainly will not know how to love sacrificially, genuinely and purifyingly as Christ loves. A woman, who has not known how to be submissive to Christ, will not know the joy and blessings of submissive conduct.

   Mutual prayers and biblical exhortations will not grace their family life. Worshipping and praying together as a family will also not be possible. Christ will not be the head of their home! Without spiritual unity with Christ, there can be no ultimate marital unity, marked by Christlike love, submission and unity. Marital life is not just a sexual union. A proper relationship with God is indescribably more important than sexual intimacy. Though there is physical pleasure and satisfaction in family life, it will not at all be joyful and successful without dependence on and obedience to God. “Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it” (Psalm 127:1). Consider the remarkable description of a godly home in Psalm 128:1-3 – “Blessed is every one that feareth the LORD; that walketh in his ways. For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands: happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee. Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine by the sides of thine house: thy children like olive plants round about thy table.” Just imagine what you would be really missing, when you choose an ungodly relationship.

4. Christians will be without spiritual aid and examples for the nurture of their children:Trying to bring up children in a disobedient relationship, where one of the parents is a non-Christian, is like swimming against a strong current. Without leadership or support of the other parent, it will be very difficult (to say the least) to nurture a child in godly ways. In fact, in such a family environment, there will be constant opposition to wholehearted commitment to the biblical upbringing of the children most of the time. The conflict of faith among the parents will not only be confusing, but also disheartening, to the children.

Conclusion:

If you are single, the most obvious thing to do, in the light of the above biblical counsels, is to avoid any intimate companionship with an unbeliever. Do not begin an ungodly relationship with an unbeliever.

If you are dating a non-Christian, you should leave that relationship at once, for the Bible says in 2 Corinthians 6:17, “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you”.

Every year, we set apart the last Sunday of October as “Reformation Sunday.” We take time to remember the persons and events that were part of the 16th Century Reformation. Why do we commemorate something that happened almost 500 years ago?

Today, we remember the Reformation for the following reasons:

1. To acknowledge and to give thanks to God for the mighty work of His Spirit that brought about the Reformation.
2. To recognise and to give thanks to God for Martin Luther, whose nailing of his ninety-five theses against the errors of Roman Catholic teachings and practices to the door of the church in Wittenberg, Germany, on October 31, 1517 set ablaze the Protestant Reformation of the 16th century.
3. To recognise and to give thanks to God for Martin Luther, whose nailing of his ninety-five theses against the errors of Roman Catholic teachings and practices to the door of the church in Wittenberg, Germany, on October 31, 1517 set ablaze the Protestant Reformation of the 16th century.
   • Some of the forerunners of the Reformation were John Wycliffe (1320-1384), John Huss (1369-1414), Jerome Savonarola (1452-1498).
   • Some of the Reformers were Martin Luther (1483–1546), Ulrich Zwingli (1484–1528), Thomas Cranmer (1489–1556), William Tyndale (1494–1536), Patrick Hamilton (died 1528), John Calvin (1509–1564), John Knox (1513– 1572), John Foxe (1516–1587).
   • Many who stood for Christ and His Word against the Roman Catholic errors were martyred. In England, among those burned at the stake were William Tyndale, Thomas Cranmer, John Rogers (1505–1555), Nicholas Ridley (1500–1555), Hugh Latimer (1487 –1555), John Hooper (1495–1555), Thomas Bilney (1495–1531), John Bradford (1510–1555), John Philpot (1516–1555), Rowland Taylor (1510 –1555).
   • Many more suffered martyrdom in other parts of Europe as well for being part of the Reformation movement. Because of their unflinching stand for the Word of God, we today have the light of the Gospel in our hearts and minds. Let us be thankful to God for raising and empowering such men of faith, knowledge and courage, such as the Reformers.
   • Many more suffered martyrdom in other parts of Europe as well for being part of the Reformation movement. Because of their unflinching stand for the Word of God, we today have the light of the Gospel in our hearts and minds. Let us be thankful to God for raising and empowering such men of faith, knowledge and courage, such as the Reformers.
4. To gratefully affirm the monumental significance and necessity of the truths of the Scriptures, even the reformed doctrines, which have been expounded and propagated around the world for the salvation of sinners and the edification of the church.
   • Sola Scriptura (Scripture alone): The Bible alone is the final authority in all matters of faith and practice
   • Sola Gratia (Grace alone): Salvation is by the grace of God alone
   • Sola Fide (Faith alone): Salvation is through faith alone in Jesus Christ
   • Solus Christus (Christ alone): Jesus Christ alone is the Saviour, Mediator and Head of the church
   • Soli Deo Gloria (To the glory of God alone): Our faith and life are for the glory of God alone
   • Justification by Faith
   • Priesthood of Believers (not just the priests of the Catholic church)
   • The Sacraments – Baptism and Holy Communion – as Means of Grace
   • Five Points of Calvinism: (i) Total Depravity, (ii) Unconditional Election, (iii) Limited Atonement, (iv) Irresistible Grace, and (v) Perseverance of Saints
   • To have a better insight of the wonderful truths of the Scriptures that emerged out of the Reformation, one should refer to the Westminster Confession of Faith (our church’s doctrines are in accordance with this Confession of Faith). In 33 chapters, WCF expounds the great doctrines such as the Holy Scripture, God, and Holy Trinity, God’s Eternal Decree, Creation, Providence, Fall of Man, Sin, and Punishment, God’s Covenant with Man; Christ the Mediator; Free Will; Effectual Calling, Justification, Adoption, Sanctification, Saving Faith, Repentance unto Life; Good Works, Perseverance Of the Saints, Assurance Of Grace and Salvation, Law Of God, Christian Liberty, and Liberty Of Conscience, Religious Worship, and the Sabbath Day, Lawful Oaths and Vows, the Civil Magistrate, Marriage and Divorce, Church, Communion Of Saints, Sacraments, Baptism, Lord’s Supper, Church Censures, Synods and Councils, State Of Men after Death, and Resurrection Of the Dead, and Last Judgment.
5. To gratefully avow ourselves to safeguard and propagate the truth of salvation and all of God’s good will and purposes revealed in the Bible:
   • The modern protestant Christians hardly know or appreciate the battle fought and won by the Reformers. In fact, many churches are in danger of forgetting the truths for which the Reformers gave their lives. We must avoid that danger. We must continually tell the story of the Reformation and declare the truths that were discovered, lest our generation and the next might once again lose them.
6. To rouse the present church to be vigilant and also to be ever battle-ready against all forms of attack launched against the church by Satan and his cronies:
   • Just as the church of yesteryear fought her battles, the church of our time must also valiantly and steadfastly fight her battles against all unbiblical teachings and ungodly practices that creep into the church.
   • The Reformation has been a battle for the Gospel and the Bible. For many years since the Reformation, the protestant churches everywhere had a steadfast faith and commitment to the truth of Scripture. But in recent times, the church is again called to join the fray to defend the Bible as God’s perfect Word for ever.
   • By the end of the 17th Century, the attacks against the Bible began with what is then known as Higher Criticism. Scholars in institutions of higher learning and seminaries started to question the truthfulness and authority of Scripture. This continues to plague many institutions of higher learning and has crept into some protestant denominations and taken deep roots.
   • There is also a more treacherous situation in the modern protestant churches. Among those who say the Bible is the Word of God, there is a growing trend to refer to the Bible as God’s Word only in a superficial manner, and deny its present perfection, absolute trustworthiness and indisputable authority over our faith and practice. Such an attitude toward God’s Word is very sinister and insidious. Such low and mean view of the Bible gives rise to false doctrines, materialism, fornication, homosexuality and all other ungodly behaviour. It must not be tolerated among us. We must always have high reverence and utter submission to God’s eternal Word.
7. “For the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ” (Revelation 1:9)!

Christian youths – even teens – have been following the worldly practice of dating, which is thoroughly unbiblical. Many seem to be totally unaware of the dangers of “dating”. What is biblically wrong about modern “dating”?

What is called “dating” today generally refers to maintaining a romantic relationship with someone of the opposite sex. To an increasing number of youngsters in our society, dating is simply “having fun” with someone of the opposite sex with no strings attached. In Singapore, dating is becoming common among even young teens of secondary schools. The dating of youths from tertiary educational institutions frequently involves booze, drugs, holidays together, sexual intercourse, etc.

Dating is largely patterned after what is portrayed by the entertainment world in movies and suchlike – a relationship based on sensual feelings and fantasies. In dating, friendships are forged through fleshly attractions, such as good looks, cute smile, sensual appearance, amorous voice, flirtatious speech and behaviour, fashionable and trendy attire, a groovy car, etc.

Even Christian youths begin dating on the basis of such sensual appeal. Christian couples, who date much like the world, fall into many spiritual, moral, emotional and social problems. Dating opens the youths to temptations of sin. Improper sexual conduct, sin and damaged testimony often plague such youths. More troubles and evils ensue - disappointment, depression, guilt, shame, quarrels, resentment, vengeful spirit, etc. The relationships with parents and friends also become tumultuous.

When a dating couple agrees not to date others and stay together for an extended period of time, they are considered “going steady”. They become attached romantically, emotionally, and often sexually. They often behave like a married couple. However, it does not have the commitment of a faithful marriage relationship. Their relationship is generally unstable and unpredictable. It is a phoney, sensual liaison, a counterfeit marriage relationship. Then, when the boy or girl gets bored with the relationship, or suspicious of the other, or get caught cheating, or simply decide that someone else is more desirable, the relationship is ended.

So often, dating is a temporary flirting, rather than a permanent, godly relationship. Many of them do not end up in marriage. Breaking up often involves heartache, anger and many negative emotional consequences.

Some “succeed” only after going through several dating experiences. People who enter marriage after a string of failed dating relationships often manifest the distasteful experiences of distrust, suspicion, anxiety, etc. It is not uncommon that such marriages end up on the rocks.

Dating, which is founded on worldly principles, promotes fornication and destructive behaviour among young people. Hedonistic attitudes maintained in such relationships engender disrespect, ill-treatment, and desensitizes moral discernment. The resultant marriages are like the houses built upon sand, ready to collapse.

In the Corinthian church, some have been living sensually. The apostle Paul was very disapproving of those who conducted themselves in an impure and sensual manner. He warned, “And lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and that I shall bewail many which have sinned already, and have not repented of the uncleanness and fornication and lasciviousness which they have committed” (2 Corinthians 12:21). Paul’s point was that members of the church who conduct themselves in sensual and worldly manner bring shame to the Lord and His church. It is utterly humiliating to a godly congregation that some members live worldly and in fornication. Earlier he had warned, “Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand” (1 Corinthians 10:8); as well as, “Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body” (1 Corinthians 6:18). A life of fornication not only destroys relationships, but also one’s emotional, mental and physical health.

Dear youths, do not engage in the worldly kind of dating. Let every young Christian know that “this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication” (1 Thessalonians 4:3). God’s Word admonishes us in Colossians 3:5-6 that we should “mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: for which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience.” Again, we are told, “fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints” (Ephesians 5:3).

Mission Update from Pr Donald

Dear Pastor,

We thank God for last Lord’s Day worship, which was attended by 24 adults and youths, plus 8 children. Praise the Lord also for enabling us to hold our first post-service fellowship group meeting last Sunday, beginning with the Men’s Fellowship. 4 of us gathered together to encourage ourselves to fulfil our Godgiven duties both in our family and in the church.

We also thank God for the safe arrival of our visitors. My mum and cousin arrived last Saturday night, followed by Sister Joy-joy on Sunday morning (5 am), which enabled her to also attend our worship service.

Thank God for helping the livelihood of our brethren. The rice harvest is now ongoing and the Lord has given those who are farmers in our midst good produce. Some other brethren, whose livelihood is fishing, also had their harvest this week. Thank God for His bountiful blessings from both land and sea. My constant prayer is that their trust in their great Provider will grow stronger.

By the way, this week, we are planning to resume our Bible Study / Home Visitation at the Pogaro area, to be scheduled every Thursday. After praying earnestly, the Lord moved my heart to conduct a weekly Bible study to strengthen the faith of the brethren and also to encourage more people to seek the Lord. The place is more than an hour’s drive from our Pangasinan mission station. May the Lord grant us a great harvest of souls.

I would like to exhort all of you to be full of faith in God’s goodness and faithfulness, as we find ourselves currently in need of a huge sum of money (more than S$3.5 million) to complete the Church Building Project. Furthermore, the need to attain this sum in less than three month’s time is making many of us very anxious, causing us to think how we can raise such a huge sum. Brethren, I am assured that this is His appointed time for us to believe and see His power to help us. If we remain full of believing prayer, He will work for us. Let those who are directed by the Lord give as He has enabled them. Let all who are burdened for this work pray earnestly.

Unwavering faith in God’s faithfulness is a prerequisite to success in the work of the Lord. If we doubt His fidelity, we would become weary and fearful, paralysing us from doing His work confidently. We should never suspect His power to help us to accomplish that which He has called us to do.

To encourage everyone, I publish the following article (with minor editing) that I wrote almost twelve years ago when we were pressing forward to buy the first Church Resource Centre.

“The God of heaven, he will prosper us; therefore we his servants will arise and build” (Nehemiah 2:20). That was Nehemiah’s reply to Sanballat, Tobiah and Geshem who laughed and scorned at the plan of God’s people to rebuild Jerusalem and the Temple. When the enemies despised them, Nehemiah and his co-labourers trusted in their God for help.

God’s people are never left to be alone in their labour for Him. The apostle Paul said to the Corinthian believers, “We are labourers together with God” (1 Corinthians 3:9). What a comforting and reassuring thought! Praise the Lord!

In the work of the Lord, we cannot do anything without Him. Jesus said, “Without me ye can do nothing” (John 15:5). But once our hearts are led by His counsels and established in His promises, nothing can stop us from labouring and building for Him.

He will prosper us!

Nehemiah declared before his enemies, “The God of heaven, he will prosper us”. What a bold affirmation. Can we be this sure of God’s help? Most certainly!

As far as Nehemiah was concerned, it was not a presumptuous claim. He was not making a hasty, incautious, selfconceited, over-confident assertion in order to derail his enemies’ plans.

His confidence in the Lord’s blessings was the result of his prayerful determining of God’s will concerning the rebuilding of Jerusalem and His temple. After carefully assessing the needs of the rebuilding of the city of His people, Nehemiah took time to pray. He prayed, “O Lord, I beseech thee, let now thine ear be attentive to the prayer of thy servant, and to the prayer of thy servants, who desire to fear thy name: and prosper, I pray thee, thy servant this day, and grant him mercy...” (Nehemiah 1:11). He personally sought the Lord concerning the work. As he sought Him in prayer, he was assured of God’s sure blessings.

Everyone who seeks God’s will in prayer and then stretches forth his hand to fulfil that which God has led him to do, can be assured of His good blessings. God will not forsake those who labour to do His will. He will most certainly prosper them.

So if you make sure that your desires are His desires, and your plans are His plans, you will have all of His guidance and blessings in the future, so much so that you can say, “The God of heaven, he will prosper us”.

This was the case in Gethsemane B-P Church. We saw the need of a building for a church resource centre. We sought the Lord in prayer and were ready to fulfil whatever He would lead us to do. We carefully examined our needs and understood what we needed. We then sought to obey the Word in meeting the need of the church. When the Spirit of God began to lead us by His truth and providence, we too affirmed in our midst the words of Nehemiah: “The God of heaven, he will prosper us”.

These magnificent words of faith and confidence have serious implications in our midst. It means that we would not seek any man’s help in a way that would contradict God’s Word. By His grace, we boldly decided not to approach banks for loans, or people for interest-free loans! We believed that if we would go forward by the way of the Lord, He would prosper us. He did just that! Praise the Lord!

Hitherto, we have experienced the same kind of provision from God in publishing the Bible Witness magazine. We thank the Lord for seeing us through fourteen years of publishing. Men may despise, but God will help. Men may reject and oppose, but God will bless and prosper! We can trust God to keep His promises.

We will arise and build!

Nehemiah 2:20 not only talks about divine leading and help, but also the responsibility of His servants. It calls us to duty – “Let us arise and build.”

God’s promises do not make His servants sluggish or lethargic. On the contrary, recognising God’s good Hand in a project grants great motivation to press on even in the midst of opposition. It gives His servants willingness and readiness to sacrifice, and also to set themselves apart to accomplish the work that He has called them to do.

The only proper response to the Lord’s goodness and promises is to “arise and build”. People’s resolve to do His work is a token of their conviction of God’s sovereignty and faithfulness.

We have found this truth being illustrated powerfully among the brethren in Gethsemane B-P Church. Having been convicted of God’s leading and goodness, they gave themselves wholeheartedly to acquire the building. They sweat and shed tears. When disappointment and anxiety arose, they went to the Lord with renewed trust. The Lord was always there to strengthen hearts and hands to work even harder. Many prayed earnestly. Many gave generously. While some searched for an appropriate place, others gave plenty of thoughts to prepare and furnish the new place.

The rest is history – God did prosper His people! They arose and laboured! God’s work was done!

Romans 12:1
“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.”

Consecrated Life: A Gracious Summon to All Christians

"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God …”

The word “beseech” can mean “to call alongside, summon” and thus “exhort” or “encourage”. It is a word that carries both the firmness and affection expressed in one’s communication. The apostle’s language does not give a hint that compliance to his exhortations is an optional matter. The great doctrines of the Bible are not static, but dynamic. They produce great acts of godliness in those who were once indifferent to the Lord and wallowing in sin.

In his epistle to the Romans, Paul has hitherto been teaching them the unchangeable truths about salvation by grace through faith in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. He has taught them that in Christ, all their condemnations are removed, and that they stand justified and accepted before God. Their glorification is guaranteed, even though they have been persecuted and maligned by the wicked world.

Now, the apostle is about to urge the readers to act on the truths they have received, making the truth of God’s gracious salvation the foundation of their Christian practice. That is why he began by saying, “I beseech you therefore…” Then Paul adds a note of warmth and earnestness to his exhortation by addressing the readers as “brethren”. He expects that the believers will not only listen with great esteem, but also obey with enthusiasm.

To excite the believers to greater compliance to the truths of God, the apostle then proceeded to appeal to God’s mercy. The summon to an obedient life does not come in a vacuum; it is wrapped in God’s mercies. It is the outpouring of divine mercies that exhorts us to live a life that is adorned with the divine truths. We recognize that the word “mercies” (in plural) denotes all that God has done for us in His Son, which Paul has surveyed in chapters 1–11. Everyone who gratefully acknowledges the abundant mercies of God extended to him in Christ, would happily yield to every divine counsel and appropriate it.

Consecrated Life: A Glorious Service to God

“That ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.”

Herein we have the solemn instruction of the apostle Paul concerning what entails genuine worship of God. Two words here, “sacrifice” and “service”, evoke the idea of worship. The word “sacrifice” (thusía) is used here in the sense of an offering rendered to the Lord in worship. Likewise, the word “service” (latreía) denotes a service rendered in worship of God.

All Christians are exhorted to “present your bodies a living sacrifice”. The Greek word for “present” is also translated as “yield”. We are to yield our bodies not as a dead sacrifice on the altar (as in Old Testament sacrifices), but as a living sacrifice. We need not offer our body or anything else as our substitute on the altar. Christ has offered Himself on our behalf as a perfect sacrifice to redeem us. So, no more substitutionary sacrifice is required of us. Here, we are exhorted to yield our bodies not as carcasses on the altar to be burned, but as lives consecrated to God.

Our bodies are to be consecrated to God as “holy”. As Paul exhorted earlier in chapter 6, verse 13, “Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.” True worshippers of God ought to consecrate themselves to live holy lives before the Lord. Our bodies must be instruments of righteousness. Only when we yield ourselves and our bodies to live in holiness, can we glorify God. “For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's” (1 Corinthians 6:20). We must strive to order our lives so that “Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death” (Philippians 1:20).

The worship that is acceptable and pleasing to God can only be rendered by those who live holy lives as true children of God. It is a despicable thing for a worshipper of God to continue to live in sin. Unholy living is most displeasing and outrageous to God. No genuine worship exists in hearts that have no commitment to live in obedience to His holy Word. Any offering of worship presented by unholy hands is an outrageous act in His presence. It is unthinkable and illogical to think that the Most Holy God can be served with unholy hands. The reasonable service to God can only be rendered when our bodies are His holy temples (cf. 1 Corinthians 6:18-19).

It has always been my earnest prayer that the Lord will grant our dear church, Gethsemane Bible-Presbyterian Church, an effective leadership. We cannot cease from praying and constantly working towards developing and maintaining a church leadership that is efficient and fruitful. Even for those who have been in the church leadership roles for a long period of time, this must be a constant desire and aspiration in the Lord.

After being in the pastoral ministry of Gethsemane for more than 20 years, I am fully convicted that no leader has complete mastery over the work, challenges, temptations and trials that he will encounter in the ministry. Constant vigilance is necessary from the leadership, individual leader and every member of the church to maintain an effective leadership in the church.

The Leadership’s Collective Responsibilities

The Church Session (Pastor, Elders and Deacons) and Preachers of the church must assume a collective responsibility to safeguard and guide the church in the truth and holiness of the Lord. They must be cooperative and accountable to one another to provide mutual encouragement, correction and support. They must remain united and harmonious as they serve the Lord together. The failure of a leader to submit, collaborate and join forces with others will affect the efforts of the rest of the leadership.

The apostles had been blessed with responsible men who maintained a reciprocal relationship with them in the ministry. The apostle Paul often expressed his boundless joy in men who served along with him in the

• “Titus, he is my partner and fellowhelper concerning you” (2 Corinthians 8:23).
• “Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labour, and fellowsoldier” (Philippians 2:25).
• “Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellowlabourer” (Philemon 1:1).
• “Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellowlabourer” (Philemon 1:1).
• “Timotheus, our brother, and minister of God, and our fellowlabourer in the gospel of Christ” (1 Thessalonians 3:2).

The church leaders are not in a competition among themselves. There should be no rivalry among the leaders of the church. When those in the leadership are like-minded, the church will greatly benefit from their congenial spirit and efforts. This is well demonstrated in Paul’s testimony about Timothy: “For I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state” (Philippians 2:20).

Together, they must give of themselves to protect and to feed the church. In Acts 20:28, Paul commanded the elders of the Ephesian church, “Take heed therefore . . . to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.”

The apostle Peter advised the elders, “The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, … Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock” (1 Peter 5:1-3).

The Leaders’ Individual Responsibilities

Every church leader must be diligent in ensuring his daily growth in the Lord. Every church leader’s maxim ought to be “grow or die”. In the church leadership, when one stops growing spiritually, he has started to die.

Every leader must also be cautious to discipline himself in order to remain holy before the Lord. He must examine himself to recognise and avoid everything in him that could damage his testimony and effectiveness as a church leader. The apostle Paul did just that, for he said in 1 Corinthians 9:25-27, “And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible … But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.” (Please read 2 Corinthians 6:1-10 and learn from Paul’s firmness of purpose and tenacity as a devout leader of the church.)

Here is a checklist for all in the leadership on appropriate conduct that befits effective church leaders:

• Am I godly in character, manifesting the life of Christ and the fruit of the Spirit?
• Do I pray fervently, and commune with the Lord?
• Have I been leading my family in the Lord?
• Have I cultivated the good relationship with fellow leaders in the service of the Lord?
• Have I increased in faith, knowledge of God’s Word and service?
• Have I been responsible, prompt and devoted to the Lord’s work that is assigned to me?
• Have I been self-sacrificial in being generous and helpful concerning the needs of the church?
• Do I stir my heart to give my very best for the Lord?
• Do I encourage others in the church to love and serve the Lord?
• Have I shown resilience in the face of difficulties and even setbacks?
• Have I patiently endured my trials with an unflinching spirit?
• Have I given myself to improve and build up the areas of my responsibilities and the lives of those who are under my care?

The Church’s Cooperation with the Leaders

To have an effective church leadership, members of the church have an important role to play. Hebrews 13:17 reminds us that our leaders will have to give an account to the Lord about our souls; hence, we must not oppose or bring hardship and grief to their spirit. “Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.”

Disregarding divine counsels, as is warned in Hebrews 13:17, is to be a hindrance to the work of God’s appointed servants in the church. Unnecessary criticism, rude remarks, disrespect, an uncooperative attitude, threatenings and all such conduct that would bring sadness and struggles in the leaders’ hearts, are spiritually dangerous to oneself and to the church.

Giving your leaders cause for groaning is of no advantage to you. If they struggle with the burden of the ministry, please patiently and lovingly avail yourself to help them in a Godhonouring manner. Let every member of Gethsemane be a great joy to our church leaders, be it pastor, elder, deacon or preacher.

May our leaders truly be able to say of our dear church, such glorious things as the apostle Paul wrote about the early churches. He said of the Thessalonian church, “For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?” (1 Thessalonians 2:19). So brethren, I would like to beseech you with the words of Paul to the Corinthians, “Wherefore shew ye to them (the fellow-labourers like Titus), and before the churches, the proof of your love, and of our boasting on your behalf” (2 Corinthians 8:24).

The election to the church session (2015-2017) will be held next Lord’s Day (27th September), and the names of the candidates have been announced last Lord’s Day. The Board of Elders have prayerfully considered the candidates and vetted them in accordance with the requirements of the Scriptures and our Church’s constitution. Some pertinent information on the candidates’ prior service in our church is included in today’s bulletin.

Please also be reminded that the ACM and Election to the Session will be held next Lord’s Day (27th Sept) at 1.30pm. All communicant members are advised to attend the ACM as it is our constitutional duty.

Rev Dr Prabhudas Koshy
Candidate for the office of Pastor and Chairman of the Session

• Since 1990, Pastor Koshy has been preaching God’s Word in Gethsemane and was ordained as the Pastor of Gethsemane Bible- Presbyterian Church in 1994. Since 1999, he has been leading the Church Session as its Chairman.
• His main areas of ministry have been the preaching and teaching of God’s Word during Sunday worship services, Tuesday Prayer Meetings, various fellowship meetings, seminars, retreats and camps of Gethsemane B-P Church
• He regularly attends to the members and worshippers through pastoral counselling, visitation and prayer.
• He also gives pastoral supervision and leadership to the Bible Witness Media Ministry (as the Editor of the Bible Witness magazine), The Gethsemane Care Ministry, and all the fellowship groups of the church.
• He is also actively involved in training men for the ministry through FEBC, Gethsemane Bible Institutes in the Philippines and Ethiopia. Recently, being led of the Lord, he has started conducting special lectures for GBI-online. Pastor also travels regularly to visit and to give leadership to our church’s mission stations and missionaries.
• He is married to Carolyn and they have 3 children, Cornelius, Andronicus and Dorcas, and they serve the Lord as a family in Gethsemane BPC.

Eld Mah Chin Kwang
Candidate for the office of Elder & Clerk-of-Session

• Since Gethsemane BPC’s inception in 1988, Eld Mah has been serving in the leadership of Gethsemane as an Elder. He served as the chairman of the Interim Committee till 1994, and of the Session (1995-1999).
• He has laboured in various leadership roles of Gethsemane: Clerk-of-Session, Leader of Gethsemane Encouragers’ Ministry, Finance Committee Member, Building Committee Member, etc.
• He regularly teaches in Catechism class, Seniors’ Ministry, The Gethsemane Care Ministry. From time to time, he also preaches in fellowship groups. He also serves as worship chairman on Sundays and renders his advice and help in many areas of church administration, such as Finance Committee.
• He is married to Lean Choo, and they have two children, Melissa and Matthew, and a newly born grandson, Ethan. Melissa serves the Lord in BWMM and Matthew, who is married to Fidelia, serves in GYAF and other areas of the church ministries.

Eld Ng Poh Kok
Candidate for the office of Elder & Treasurer

• In 2008, Eld Ng and his family joined Gethsemane B-P Church. Prior to that, he served as a deacon in Sharon BPC (1978-2002) and as an elder (2002-2008). He also served in Sharon BPC as a Sunday School teacher and as its Superintendent
• In 2008, Eld Ng and his family joined Gethsemane B-P Church. Prior to that, he served as a deacon in Sharon BPC (1978-2002) and as an elder (2002-2008). He also served in Sharon BPC as a Sunday School teacher and as its Superintendent
• In the last two years, he has co-laboured with Pastor in the leadership of the Pastoral Visitation Team, and has also served as the Camp Master of last year’s church camp held in Batam.
• His wife, Sis Dorothy, and their two daughters, Sarah and Sharon, are also members of Gethsemane BPC. Sarah is married to Samuel Yong, and they both actively serve the Lord in our church. Sharon, who was married to our late missionary Dominino dela Cruz Jr, now serves the Lord in our midst.

Eld Alan Choy Weng Heng
Candidate for the office of Elder & Assistant Treasurer

• Since 1995, Eld Choy has been a member of Gethsemane BPC. From 1997 to 2003, he served as a deacon.
• In 2003, he was elected and ordained as an Elder of Gethsemane BPC.
• He has laboured in various leadership roles: Clerk-of-Session, Treasurer, Leader of Youth Fellowship, Church Choir Member, Finance Committee Member, Building Committee Member, etc.
• He attended FEBC as a parttime student and graduated with Certificate of Religious Knowledge in May 2013.
• He regularly teaches in Catechism class and ministers at the Lions Home for the Elders, etc. and occasionally preaches in fellowship groups. He presently leads the GYF committee with Pastor.
• He serves in the Chinese Service as a worship chairman and also preaches God’s Word from time to time
• He is married to Luan Kheng; and they have three children, Eunice, Jenice and Amoz. As a family, the Choys serve the Lord actively in various areas of Gethsemane BPC.

Dn Francis Lee Kek Gee
Candidate for the office of Deacon and Assistant Clerk-of-Session

• Dn Francis confessed the Lord in baptism in 1988 at Life B-P Church. From 2003-2007, together with his family, he worshipped and served the Lord in True Life B-P Church.
• In 2008, they became members of Gethsemane. He has rendered his services in various ministries of the church - he served as the Camp Master of Gethsemane’s annual church camp, Committee Member of Gethsemane Adults Fellowship and Gethsemane Men’s Fellowship.
• He had attended FEBC as a part-time student and graduated with Certificate of Religious Knowledge in 2008, and Certificate of Biblical Studies in 2010.
• He has been serving in the Church Session of Gethsemane since 2011. He has faithfully served in the Session as a Clerk-of-Session and also as Treasurer. He has also been a member of the Finance Committee of the church.
• His wife Stephanie and their four children, Sarah, Michelle, Samuel and Moses, worship and serve the Lord in Gethsemane BPC.

Dn Daniel Lim Hoe Chiang
Candidate for the office of Deacon & Session Member

• In 2005, he was appointed as a preacher in the Chinese Service of Gethsemane BPC and has faithfully devoted himself to ministering to the brethren in that ministry. Preacher Daniel Lim, after obtaining his Diploma in Theology from FEBC, served with The Helping Hand (2000-2005) as a missionary in the Philippines, and then upon his return to Singapore, as counsellor and a director of The Helping Hand.
• Since 2007, he has been serving as a deacon in the Session of Gethsemane BPC.
• He conducts weekly Bible Study in The Gethsemane Care Ministry (TGCM) and assists Pastor in counselling and in the leadership of TGCM.
• He serves together with Pr Jeremiah Sim in the Seniors’ Ministry on Thursdays, and has been preaching God’s Word in Changi Prison regularly. He also frequently travels to Malaysia to preach God’s Word in sister churches.
• He is married to Roscelle and they have two young children, Mehetabel and Jesimiel. As a family, they participate in church fellowship activities and ministries.

Dn Lok Kwok Wah
Candidate for the office of Deacon & Session Member

• he has been faithfully serving in the Bible Witness Media Ministry as a fulltime worker. He transferred his membership to Gethsemane BPC in 2005 from Life BPC, and became a deacon of Gethsemane in 2007.
• In the Bible Witness Media Ministry, he supervises the printing and distribution of the Bible Witness magazine. He has also been assisting Pastor in organising BW retreats and other activities of BWMM, like the Holy Land Bible Study Tour.
• He has been serving as a deacon in the Session of Gethsemane BPC since 2007. He has served in the Session in various roles: Assistant Treasurer, Assistant Clerk-of-Session, etc.
• He also helps out in the dayto-day matters of the church in the church office, and has been leading the Ushers’ Ministry.
• Together with him, his wife Jenny and three children, Qian Hui, Qian Yi and Qian Ning, worship and serve in Gethsemane.

Dn Kelvin Lim Cheng Kwang
Candidate for the office of Deacon & Session Member

• In 2000, he was baptised in Gethsemane BPC, and became an active member of the church.
• The Lord called him into full-time ministry in 2002, and in 2004 he joined FEBC for theological training. He completed the Bachelor of Theology in 2008 and was appointed as Assistant to the Pastor in Gethsemane Children’s Ministry.
• He was elected as a deacon in 2009.
• He leads the Gethsemane Children’s Ministry. He also avails himself to preach and to teach God’s Word during worship service, at prayer meeting and different fellowship meetings, and in TGCM.
• He travels to Malaysia to preach God’s Word in Kemaman BPC, Calvary Jaya B-P Fellowship, Kuching Mission outreach.
• His wife Jasmine and their three children, Joash, Jorim and Joses, worship and serve the Lord in Gethsemane BPC.

Bro Low Boon Siang
Candidate for the office of Deacon & Session Member

• Bro Boon Siang was saved and baptised in Gethsemane in the year 2001.
• Over the past 14 years, as he grew in faith and godliness, the Lord has used him in many fellowships and ministries of our church. He has served faithfully and zealously in Youth Fellowship (2002-2008); Ushers’ Ministry (2005-2009); Young Adults’ Fellowship Committee (2008-2012); Audiovisual Ministry (2009 till now); Men’s Fellowship Committee (2013 to present). He also served in Committees of Church Camp (2009 and 2012), as well as Church Sports Day (2010, 2011, 2013 and 2015).
• As a teacher of God’s Word to children, Bro Boon Siang served in Junior Worship (2006 to 2013) and in GCM (2008 to 2013).
• He also served the Lord in the Fundamental Christian Ministry of NTU and NIE (2006-2008), and the B-P Combined Youth Conference Committee (2007-2008).
• His wife Sis Hui Lin and their two young sons, Christopher and Caleb, worship in Gethsemane BPC and participate in many fellowship groups and ministries.

Ooi Aik Kean

Bible Witness Lunch Hour Bible study has been a place of “refuge” for me during the most difficult 8 months in my working life. For the whole of that period, week after week, I eagerly looked forward to the Bible Study to find some solace for my stressed soul. On one occasion when Dn Paul Cheng was the teacher, I arrived in terrible emotional shape in the midst of trying circumstances in office. Praise the Lord through him, God’s Word ministered to me, restored and uplifted me, and then sent me back more ready to face the trials at the office.

E. L.

"My soul melteth for heaviness: strengthen thou me according unto thy word” (Psalm 119:28).

I am one of the “pioneers” who attended the Wednesday Bible Study when it first started in 2005, just after I had joined a company nearby. It was a very challenging working environment, so I always looked forward to lunchtime every Wednesday to find a reprieve and listen to God’s Word which reminded me of God’s providence and power to deliver. Despite the small group (sometimes 2-3 persons only), Rev Koshy faithfully taught the Word. At times, we would manage to finish only 1 verse during 1 session. In fact, we took 1 full year to complete 1 and 2 Peter. This is only because there was so much to learn from each word and each verse of the Bible. Thank God for Rev Koshy’s faithful teaching of God’s Word. I was always encouraged after the half hour of Bible study and wished we had more time.

Nevertheless, there were so few of us that I quietly wondered if Rev Koshy would stop the Bible Study one day He already had such a busy schedule, having to rush to the bookroom after FEBC classes. But he never seemed discouraged. I thank God that the sessions are still running after 10 long years, and now to a very packed room.

In September 2011, when my company relocated to somewhere further away, I was very disappointed as I would not be able to attend anymore. Thank God that since live webcast was arranged, I could still attend “remotely”. Now with the Downtown MRT station opened, it is only 2 stops from my office, which makes physical attendance once again possible whenever I have the time to travel to the bookroom!

There had been very challenging and confusing times in my life in the past decade, but God is good. How could I have survived if not for His sustenance and encouragement through His Word, very often through the Bible lessons conducted faithfully every Wednesday, which uplifted my weary soul and heart. Thank God for this wonderful ministry and may the Lord continue to sustain it, Rev Koshy and the many brethren (Bro John and others) who work quietly behind the scene.

Lim Beng Hall

Iam very blessed by this ministry in the bookroom, where Pastor Koshy can conduct a short but very spiritually enriching Bible Study for us during lunchtime every Wednesday. The Scriptures, as explained by Pastor, bring much comfort to me and I am personally impacted by the teachings of His Word, especially as I face struggles in the events and activities of the world during the week. I also thoroughly enjoy the warm fellowship among the participants. Praise God for Pastor Koshy for shepherding us and Brother John for being in charge.

Margaretha Gole

After my transfer to a new employer, I felt very lost. Because of my contract, I go to church only once a month, but that is not enough for me to hear the preaching of God’s Word. In 2013, I was given a weekly half-day off on weekdays. I thank God for the Bible Study @Bible Witness Bookroom, where I can take this opportunity to study God’s Word. Thank God also for the online live broadcast, where I can still join the Bible Study when I can’t come.

Even though my English is not strong, I could understand enough of the messages and be blessed. The exhortations given by Pastor have been instructive to me to change my ways in my walk with the Lord. I learn that as Christians, we will face persecution. Persecution can be physical, emotional or spiritual. It comes not only from unbelievers, it also comes from those who call themselves ‘Christians’ but choose to live and enjoy the pleasures of the world. But I draw comfort from God’s Word that gives me courage to stand strong when persecution comes my way. This Bible Study has helped me grow in faith. May God help me to be faithful to Him and be a witness for Christ wherever He places me.

I pray that the LORD will continue to bless this ministry, and that many people will come to study and know the truth of God’s Word, and that we may be able to share the good news of salvation with lost souls. All praise and glory be to His name!

Mary Quek

I must express my grateful thanks to God, for providing us not only with physical food, but also spiritual food for souls. In this regard, I praise God for His kindness for this past decade in giving us a conducive place to have Wednesday Lunch Hour Bible Study, and for His servant, Rev Koshy, to faithfully teach us. Here, I was able to unlearn wrong ideas, learn and relearn God’s truths as they were taught in the Bible.

Through Rev Koshy’s teaching of Revelation, my love for this world began to grow dim. My eyes were opened and my heart was gripped with fear, when I realised that the Antichrist would reign and many would be deceived, and how God would pour out His wrath and judgments upon this present evil world. Sad to say, many will go through that “great tribulation”. But the believers have this blessed and glorious hope of our Lord Jesus Christ’s return for all His people, upon which He will rule the earth for 1,000 years of peace. Finally, “God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away” (Rev 21:3-4).

All glory be to God for the Bible Witness Wednesday Lunch Hour Bible Study.

June Lui

I started listening to the Lunch Hour Bible Study since last year. Thank God for the weekly lessons during lunch break on Wednesdays. Truly, listening to His Word has been a time for “sanity” in the middle of a stressful working week. I pray that God will continue to bless this ministry so that more of us will be blessed in our daily walk with Him. The theme for me this year being “See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil” (Eph 5:15-16), I desire to be a more fruitful Christian through listening to His Word and practising it. Amen.

Ang Sok Leng

Iwant to thank God for the brothers who set up the webcast. It makes it convenient for me to tune in when I travel and have no conflicting appointments. This Bible Study is a time that I look forward to. Tuning in to God’s Word, which Pastor Koshy carefully explains without “sugarcoating”, is a great joy. Pastor Koshy certainly has a gift of teaching. I have learnt much, including the series on Revelation. Thank God for his faithfulness as well.

I also share what I’ve learned with my family. God is constantly calling us to be like Christ and not to conform to the world. Though we may go through many trials, we are not alone but are protected and strengthened by our Abba Father. May we be guided only for the purpose that God be glorified.

Stephanie Lee

For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness” (Psalm 107:9). This is what my husband and I experienced when we attended the Wednesday Lunch Hour Bible Study, where we enjoyed the expository study of the Scriptures by Pastor Koshy. Thank God for Pastor’s faithful labouring in teaching God’s Word. Besides providing detailed Bible Study notes, he also expounded on the Bible verses so clearly and systematically.

What a joy to gather in midweek during lunch hour to study God’s Word and have a time of fellowship with God’s people. Instead of having lunch to satisfy our physical hunger with our colleagues, coming together to study God’s Word satisfy our spiritual hunger and longing for fellowship with God’s people, which is more edifying and enriching to our souls. This is so refreshing to our wearied souls when we have commenced with another week of secular work and domestic chores after the Lord’s Day. It was a meeting with the Lord and His people so soon again after the Lord’s Day. Truly, oftentimes the distresses and cares of my life were overcome by the comfort of God’s Word through the Bible Study. I left the Bible Study, saying to myself: “It was good that I have met with the Lord through the study of His Word. With my soul refreshed, I’m strengthened to sojourn the rest of the week.”

Thank God for sustaining and blessing this ministry through 10 fruitful years. Many brethren have been greatly blessed, including my husband and me. We have also seen a steady increase in attendance. Moreover, for those who are unable to attend due to work commitments, there is also the online broadcast of the Bible Study. As the Lord continues to use this ministry, may God’s children who attend this Bible Study be drawn close to Him as they continue to seek Him. May His Name be highly exalted and magnified through this ministry.