Church leaders are not free from the temptations of sin. They need to be always on guard lest they be suddenly overtaken by the deceitfulness of sin. My prayer is that the Biblical expose of the deceitfulness of sin that surrounds church leaders will further intensify our vigilance and prayer so that we may keep ourselves pure for the work of the Lord.

Pitfall #1: Having a Sense of Self-Glory and Vindictiveness

The apostle John wrote about an early church leader who walked into this pitfall. “I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not” (3 John 9). It is not at all uncommon that the behaviour of certain men in the church leadership degenerate into one of self-assertiveness and selfglory. A sense of immunity from accountability and authority fills their minds. They act as though they are above everyone, and even the demands of morality and charity.

Like Diotrephes who opposed and sidelined the apostle John and other leaders of the early church, some of the modern-day church leaders also act highhandedly. They become domineering, bossy and love the prestige and power of leadership so much that they care for none but themselves. They forget godly men whom God has used to nurture the church. They slander good men and promote those who are just like themselves

Let us protect ourselves from this sin of pride by co-labouring with and submitting ourselves to godly men who love God’s truth and righteousness and serve before Him humbly, faithfully and diligently. The apostle Peter advises church leaders, “Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock … Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time” (1 Peter 5:3-6).

Submit yourself also to a council of biblically-minded, spiritually-wise advisers. “Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established” (Proverbs 15:22). The Bible makes clear provision for rebuking an elder who persists in sin (cf. 1 Timothy 5:19-20). No one is above reproof. Everyone ought to be accountable. Let every one of us who serves in the leadership remind himself that God expects us to be humble, submissive and accountable to one another.

Pitfall #2: Succumbing to Itching Ears as Love of Truth Evaporates

The apostle Paul cautions, "For time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables” (2 Timothy 4:3-4).

Many who express a passion for God’s truth at the beginning of their ministry have succumbed later to the popular notions and expectations of the people around them. The love of truth is weakened by the love for recognition and admiration, and soon integrity has no leg to stand on. Every manner of rationalization and compromise to meet the demands of the expanding audience takes over. Doctrines are not emphasized; moral purity is not pursued after. The audience is to be entertained — the itching ears are to be “scratched” — or else he would have to face the unhappiness of the crowd. He is afraid that people would desert him, so immunity from objection and opposition is created with a heavy dose of relational ethics. The language of love, forgiveness and acceptance abounds — but for those who have eyes to see, it is but a camouflage to cover up the abandonment of love for God’s truth!

In order to protect ourselves from such perilous compromise in the ministry, we should cultivate an unflinching commitment to “preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine” (2 Timothy 4:2). Remain fully dedicated to proclaim the truth, even in its smallest details, and turn a deaf ear to the desires of men to have their ears scratched. Compromise with falsehood often begins in small things.

In order to be a brave and faithful preacher of the Word, “study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15). In the ministry of many leaders, the Word of God has taken a backseat to storytelling, social analysis, family discussions, psychological diagnoses, etc., which begin to usurp the authority of the inspired and preserved Word of God. Loose and sloppy handling of the Scriptures eventually leads to loose and sloppy living of the leaders and the congregation. Let all leaders protect themselves and their congregations through a disciplined study of God’s Word and faithful preaching.

Pitfall #3: Disregarding the Family Life

The apostle Paul very emphatically advises that leaders should “be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly” (Titus 1:6; cf. 1 Timothy 3:2, 4, 12). It is tragic that many leaders have failed to give careful attention in the nurturing of their own children in the ways of God. Therefore, Paul challenges us, “For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?” (1 Timothy 3:5).

Our loving treatment of our wives ought to be the reflection of Christ’s wonderful love for the church. The apostle Paul wrote in Ephesians 5:25-27, “Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, that he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.” Let every church leader remember that his treatment of his wife is reflective of how greatly he thinks of the Lord’s loving dealings with the church.

An adulterous church leader is a disastrous testimony before the church. He does not portray the Lord’s faithful and true love for the church. The apostle Paul teaches us in Ephesians 5:31-32 that Christian marriage is a token of the mystery of the relationship that Christ has with the church. “For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.” Adultery is an appalling desecration of the image of Christ and His church.

Let every church leader remember that God expects him to prove his faithfulness as a leader in his own home first. Remind yourself repeatedly that your marriage is a living testimony of Christ’s relationship with the church. We simply must recover the wonder of this truth. Marriage has to do with Christ, not just two people trying to seek fulfilment. It is a mission whereby God’s love is to be portrayed to the world. It is an extraordinary calling.

To be continued next week...

God has always called upon leaders to guide His people. In 1 Samuel 13:14, we read, “The LORD hath sought him a man after his own heart, and the LORD hath commanded him to be captain over his people.” God told Ezekiel, “I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none” (Ezekiel 22:30).

Church Leadership is a Calling from the Lord

When it comes to who should be appointed to church leadership, let it not be taken lightly that only those whom God has called to the office should be appointed. Appointment to the offices of Pastor, Elder and Deacon is not to be based on mere human ability, seniority, social status, wealth or suchlike. Church leadership is not an honorary position conferred to reward people. It ought to be filled by men who are prepared by God through His calling.

All the offices of the church must be filled with people who are called by the Lord. We often associate “calling” with pastors, missionaries and other fulltime workers of the church. Yet, how about elders and deacons? Scripture is clear that God also calls men to these offices; only those who are sure of God’s appointment should enter these offices. The candidates for Church Session must be sure that they are called by the Lord to serve Him in these roles.

Paul had this to say to the Ephesian church leaders who came to meet him in Miletus: “Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God. . .” (Acts 20:28). Paul’s advice was that all leaders must firstly take care of themselves as they were “made overseers” by the Holy Spirit.

It is, therefore, important that those who come to leadership must know with certainty that leadership is God’s appointment for them. No one is to enter these offices of the church because of human persuasion or appointment. Though men can be instrumental in God’s hand in directing people to leadership, each candidate must nonetheless be sure in his heart that God has called him to serve in the church leadership.

One’s Calling must be Confirmed by God’s Word

How can a man know whether God wants him to serve as a leader? The first and foremost sign from the Lord comes by means of His Word. If a man has all the Scriptural qualifications listed out in 1 Timothy 3, Titus 1, and 1 Peter 5, he is certainly eligible for church leadership. If he lacks any one of them, he is certainly not eligible.

When the apostle Paul commissioned Titus to appoint church leaders in Crete, he was not allowed to choose leaders based on his own human wisdom and judgement. Instead, Paul gave Titus a list of spiritual qualifications that he should look for in the lives of those whom he would ordain as elders. If anyone lacked a single one of those qualifications, Titus could not have considered him as God’s choice for leadership. Likewise, Paul also instructed Timothy that he should abide by the guidelines set by the Holy Spirit in His Word for the appointment of elders and deacons in his pastorate.

So, let us consider these qualities prescribed by the Scriptures to determine who should be the leaders of the church. Let us not unwisely or unwittingly encourage anyone who does not meet these qualities for leadership. It is a sin to appoint anyone against that which is prescribed by the Lord. Neither should anyone take up leadership if he himself is not assured of God’s calling through the Scriptures.

One’s Calling must be Confirmed by Prayer

Secondly, one must receive peace and assurance within himself to serve the Lord by waiting upon God in prayer. Proverbs 3:5-6 promises, “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thine ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”

We also see in Acts, how the early church spent time in prayer and fasting to seek God’s leading in the appointment of brethren for various roles in the ministry. Luke wrote about how the Holy Spirit led the church in Antioch in appointing men for the work. “As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them” (Acts 13:2). Earnest praying of the church is also pertinent in knowing God’s choice of suitable men for the leadership.

One’s Calling must be Confirmed by the Family

This is necessary, especially for the married believers. Apart from the personal spiritual qualifications, Scripture also insists that the candidates should have a godly family which is submissive to his leadership. A married candidate must have a godly and submissive wife and obedient children. Scripture clearly states, “For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?” (1 Timothy 3:5). So, if one’s children are unbelieving and rebellious, we cannot consider him for church leadership. Three times (twice in 1 Timothy 3, and once in Titus 1), the apostle Paul has unambiguously delineated that those who will be appointed to rule the church must be those who rule their household by raising up submissive children. A troubled and disunited family will inevitably be a hindrance to a man’s service in the church.

One’s Calling must be Confirmed by the Church

In Acts 6:3, in the appointment of men to serve at the tables (very likely as deacons), the apostles asked the congregation, saying “look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.” The candidate for Church Session must have the recognition of the church. The members of the church must indicate their acceptance of the candidate’s spiritual ability to rule the church.

At this time, it must also be said that the congregation as a whole must be prayerful and also faithful to God and His word while casting their votes. No member of the church should cast his/her vote based on selfdetermined criteria. The church must prayerfully and joyfully elect and support those who are called and prepared to be leaders according to God’s will.

In opposing and rebelling against God, Satan and his demons target their attacks at the believers. It is because of their hostile activities that Christians are caught in that intense struggle mentioned by the apostle Paul in Ephesians 6:12, “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” These satanic forces are unleashed against us to accomplish “the wiles (schemes) of the devil” (Ephesians 6:11). Satan and the demons are constantly conniving to discourage and defeat the saints in their individual and corporate life and ministry.

Scripture does not say that all our struggles with evil come directly from demons. Much of these also stems from our own evil nature (Romans 7:21-24; James 1:14-15) and from the world of lustful men around us (Ephesians 2:2-3; 1 John 2:15-17). Nevertheless, we must recognise that there are a great number of unseen hosts of evil spirits arrayed against us and we must prepare for this battle by putting on the whole armour of God (Ephesians 6:11).

The devices of the devil against God’s people and the church are many. It is not possible to describe all of them in this article but some of the more common ones are mentioned here.

AGAINST INDIVIDUALS

Assault on the Spiritual Life of Believers

The armour of God reflects the kind of spiritual attacks we may expect. Ephesians 6:14-18 suggests that Satan and the demons will hit us at the most crucial points in which our usefulness to God will be greatly affected.

They attack our confidence in God’s truth and promises, as well as our stand for righteousness (v. 14). These demons will also seek to cripple our Gospel efforts (v. 15). Our faith in Christ would also be threatened as fiery darts of trials and testing are hurled at us (v. 16). Lastly, our assurance of salvation will be under siege as they try to cloud our minds and cast doubt on the Word of God.

Assault on the Physical Body of Believers

The battle may also shift to the physical realm as demons can likewise attack by inflicting Christians with various maladies. Satan afflicted Paul with a “thorn in the flesh”. Paul pointed out this physical difficulty or sickness in 2 Corinthians 12:7 and referred to it as “the messenger [angel] of Satan to buffet” him. Most likely it was a demon that caused his affliction, but only because God had allowed it according to His sovereign purpose.

The same affliction can also be seen in the life of the Old Testament saint named Job. Satan had probably used demons to afflict Job in order to get him to turn against God (Job 2:7-9).

AGAINST THE CHURCH

Satan and the demons seek to oppose the main purposes of the body of Christ. The church is to glorify God, extend the Gospel and be edified in God’s truth (Matthew 28:18-20; Ephesians 4:7-11). These activities are sure to draw the malicious attention of the devil and his minions. Hence, believers can expect the demons to spare no effort in frustrating these purposes in many ways.

Doctrinal and Practical Schisms

The church is to keep the unity of the Spirit in the body of Christ; such unity is to be maintained in the bond of peace (Ephesians 4:3- 6). Demons would love nothing better than to divide the church, whether locally or universally.

They will seek to create schisms within the church by promoting doctrinal divisions. Speaking through false teachers (1 Timothy 4:1-3), they will generally deny or cloud the truth of Christ’s deity, humanity, or His substitutionary sacrifice and its appropriation by faith (1 John 4:1-4). In view of this, God’s ministers should unambiguously teach and gently correct those who are influenced by them so that they may repent “to the acknowledging of the truth”, and thereby escape from “the snare of the devil” (2 Timothy 2:24-26).

Demons will promote practical divisions, too. Because of earthly, sensual and even devilish wisdom that can pervade the lives of God’s people, jealousy, selfishness, arrogance and a contentious spirit could so easily arise (James 3:14- 16). Demons can exploit the fleshly lusts of Christians to create strife among the believers (Galatians 5:19-21, 26). They may even cause believers who are filled with carnal wisdom, to misguidedly rally around several of God’s servants to stir up partisan feelings (1 Corinthians 3:1-4).

Their evil work can also include causing the believers to harbour ill feelings towards a sinning brother and inciting differences of opinion as to his treatment. As a result, an attitude of resentment or a lack of full forgiveness among the brethren may open the door for Satan to cause further conflicts (2 Corinthians 2:5-11).

Hindrance to the Gospel Ministry

The Satanic hosts have always sought to hide the Gospel message from lost sinners, by blinding their minds (2 Corinthians 4:3-4) and perverting the Gospel message (Galatians 1:7-8). They will strive to hinder the Gospel preachers from performing their responsibilities (1 Thessalonians 2:17-18). As a result, they sometimes cause the Gospel efforts of the minister to be misunderstood (vv. 2-16). Believers ought to pray for deliverance from such evil plots so that the Gospel ministry may extend rapidly and God be glorified (2 Thessalonians 3:1-2).

Persecution of God’s People

Christ warned the church in Smyrna of satanic persecution that would result in imprisonment for some of them, bringing about tribulation and possibly death (Revelation 2:8-10). Demons would be involved in this. They can play out this persecution through religious sources such as “the synagogue of Satan” (v. 9). Jesus has warned His disciples to be wary of some religious fanatics who may think that in opposing true believers, they are doing God a service (John 16:1-3). This will be the scene in the last great apostate ecumenical religion. Demons will be instigating men to persecute and kill true believers (Revelation 18:24).

Conclusion

Since his incursion into the garden of Eden (the perfect world of God’s creation), Satan and his demons have always been on the prowl looking to frustrate God’s people in their desire to live godly lives. Our Christian faith is constantly being sifted as we go through trials, temptations, attacks and assaults from demonic beings.

Therefore, we must be vigilant against our enemy and his ploys, and resist him (1 Peter 5:8-9). As the apostle Paul admonishes us, let us “be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might” and “put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil” (Ephesians 6:10-11).

In these days, prayer in the Christian realm is increasingly putting on the characteristics of unbiblical mysticism of the oriental religions. Prayers of Christians ought to be guided and moulded by biblical injunctions and patterns of prayer. The following characteristics of biblical prayer can be of help to maintain proper prayer habits.

Prayer should always be Godward

Prayer is unidirectional – believers speaking to God and Him alone. Philippians 4:6 says, “Let your requests be made known unto God” (cf. Nehemiah 4:9; Acts 12:5). Jesus said, “Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve” (Matthew 4:10). Never does the Bible speak of prayer as a request made to dead saints, angels or demons. In truth, the Bible prohibits any form of prayer to idols, spirits of the dead persons and devils (Deuteronomy 18:9-13; Leviticus 19:31; 20:6; 2 Kings 17:17; Psalm 115:4-8; Zechariah 10:2). No man, whether dead or alive, is worthy of our dependence. “It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man” (Psalm 118:8). “Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah” (Psalm 62:8).

Unfortunately, there are many who claim to be Christians but practise necromancy (praying to the dead) and other forms of prayer and worship that are abominable to God. It is not uncommon nowadays to hear some charismatic preachers talking to the devil in the midst of their prayers. These practices, biblically-speaking, are distortions of prayer. Prayer should only be rendered unto God.

Prayer provides immediate access to God

To all true Christians, prayer means instant access to God. Paul affirmed this truth in Ephesians 2:18 – “For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father” (cf. Romans 5:2). Likewise, Hebrews 4:16 declares, “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” Christians can have boldness in the fact that they can have access to God’s gracious throne any time they need His help.

All those who have been reconciled to God through Christ can have the assurance that God is ever ready to hear their prayers. In fact, because God is omnipresent (God is everywhere regardless of time or circumstances) and omniscient (God is all-knowing), He not only hears prayer immediately but even knows the content of prayer before it is formulated by the one praying. Isaiah 65:24 says, “And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.” Psalm 145:18 promises, “The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth” (cf. Psalms 50:15; 91:15).

Prayer is independent of ritualistic posture and activities

The Bible records God’s people praying in various physical positions. Praying in various circumstances necessitates different postures. In the Bible, people prayed standing (Genesis 24:12-14), lifting up their hands (1 Timothy 2:8), sitting (Judges 20:26, 2 Samuel 7:18), kneeling (Daniel 6:10; Mark 1:40), looking upward (John 17:1), bowing down (Exodus 34:8), placing their heads between their knees (1 Kings 18:42), lying down on their bed (Psalms 4:4; 63:6), bowing on their bed (1 Kings 1:47), pounding on their breasts (Luke 18:13), facing the temple (Daniel 6:10), and prostrating (Mark 14:35; Revelation 7:11).

The above brief review indicates that in the Bible, there is not a particular posture of prayer. Postures are important only to the extent that they are the external expressions of reverence, inner feelings and commitment to the Lord. No single posture is able to express all feelings of the praying man. Hence, we find in Scripture a diversity of options and possibilities. One should adopt one’s posture of prayer in a reverential manner. Our posture in prayer should be the reflection of our hearts, whether it be hearts overwhelmed with the cares of life, hearts overawed by the majesty of God or hearts hushed in humble obedience to God.

Above all, the Bible emphasizes the posture of the heart more than the external posture. Isaiah 29:13 admonishes us: “Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men.” Jesus also warned against the hypocritical prayer postures – “And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward” (Matthew 6:5).

Prayer can be offered anywhere

We are not required to be in a church building or a sacred place in order to pray to God. (Of course, this fact should not be cited as an excuse for forsaking church prayer meetings and worship services.) The Bible records people praying in all sorts of places: in a closet (Matthew 6:6), before the congregation (2 Chronicles 6:13), as a church (Acts 2:42-47), in a garden (Matthew 26:36-44), on a mountainside (Luke 6:12), in a home (Acts 9:39-40), by a river (Acts 16:13), on the shore (Acts 21:5-6), while sinking in the sea (Matthew 14:30), on the way by the well (Genesis 24:11- 27), in the temple (1 Kings 8:22-53), in battle (2 Chronicles 13:14-15), in a cave (1 Kings 19:9-10), in bed (Psalm 4:3-4), in the stomach of a fish (Jonah 2:1-10), on a housetop (Acts 10:9), in a prison (Acts 16:23-26), in the wilderness (Luke 5:16) and on a cross (Luke 23:33-34, 46).

In 1 Timothy 2:8, Paul said, “I will therefore that men pray everywhere.” For the Spirit-filled Christian, every place becomes a place of prayer.

Prayer can be offered any time

A believer is always aware of his insufficiency and therefore the need to live in total dependence on God at all times. The Bible records the testimony of those who cried unto God day and night (Psalm 88:1; Luke 2:37; 1 Thessalonians 3:10; 1 Timothy 5:5; 2 Timothy 1:3). Everyone who humbly accepts his insufficiency and dependence on God will be eager to pray always. So Jesus exhorted: “Men ought always to pray, and not to faint” (Luke 18:1).

Scripture records people praying three times a day (Daniel 6:10), in the morning (Psalm 5:3), in the evening (1 Kings 18:36), before meals (Matthew 14:19), after meals (Deuteronomy 8:10), at the ninth hour (Acts 3:1), at bedtime (Psalm 4:4), at midnight (Acts 16:25), day and night (Luke 2:37; 18:7), often (Luke 5:33), when they are young (Jeremiah 3:4), when they are old (Daniel 9:2-19), when they are in trouble (2 Kings 19:3-4), every day (Psalm 86:3), and always (Luke 18:1; 1 Thessalonians 5:17).

Prayer has no language barrier

Prayer has no language barrier. Even though man thinks and speaks in different languages, God understands all of them. He is the God of all nations and Scripture says, “All nations whom thou hast made shall come and worship before thee, O Lord; and shall glorify thy name” (Psalm 86:9). This certainly gives evidence to the fact that language is no barrier when it comes to praying to God (Acts 2:4, 11; Acts 10:46). God even searches the hearts of His children and thereby knows their motives, needs and desires, no matter what language they think or speak in (Romans 8:27).

Prayer can be presented to God in various forms

Since God knows both the hearts and thoughts of everyone, prayer may be expressed mentally, audibly or in song (psalms). In times of great trials, we may prayerfully sit before His throne though without the power to express our thoughts. In times like these, the Holy Spirit searches our hearts and makes our feelings and thoughts known unto God (Romans 8:26; Hebrews 4:15).

There is a time for offering up our prayers in a proper, clear and formal manner. This should be the case, especially when we pray before a congregation or fellowship group. However, we can come before God with broken hearts and weeping, crying audibly (1 Samuel 1:10; Psalm 34:18). At times, it may be expressed in the form of making a vow (1 Samuel 1:11; Acts 18:18), making sacrifices (Psalm 20:1-3) and singing songs (Psalm 59:16, 17; Acts 16:25).

People in the Bible prayed sitting in ashes (Job 1:20-21; 2:8), wearing sackcloth (Psalm 35:13), crying with tears (Psalm 6:6), smiting their breasts (Luke 18:13), throwing dust on their heads (Joshua 7:6), tearing garments (1 Kings 21:27), fasting (Deuteronomy 9:18), sighing (Ezra 9:4-15), groaning (Psalm 6:4-6), crying out loud (Hebrews 5:7) and sweating as if bleeding (Luke 22:44).

Sometimes, Christians may engage in prayer for several days (Esther 4:16), several hours – all through the night (Luke 6:12), or short ejaculatory prayers (Matthew 14:30). Some would even take time to pray several times a day (Daniel 6:10).

Conclusion

Prayer is to be a total way of life—an open and continual communion with God. It is not limited or restrained by factors such as time, posture and place. Under any circumstance, a child of God can call on His God.

The New Testament affirms the resurrection of Christ as a historical event. The gospels and the epistles recorded the appearances of the Risen Christ. Moreover, the apostles insisted on His resurrection in their public teaching. Many appearances of our risen Lord are recorded in the New Testament.

Consider the following New Testament records of the risen Christ’s appearances. (The following section is adapted from Easton’s Bible Dictionary. New York: Harper & Brothers.)

1. To Mary Magdalene at the sepulchre alone. This is recorded at length only by John (20:11-18), and alluded to by Mark (16:9-11).
2. To certain women, “the other Mary,” Salome, Joanna, and others, as they returned from the sepulchre. Matthew (28:1-10) alone gives an account of this. (Comp. Mark 16:1-8, and Luke 24:1-11.)
3. To Simon Peter alone on the day of the resurrection. (See Luke 24:34; 1 Cor. 15:5.)
4. To the two disciples on the way to Emmaus on the day of the resurrection, recorded fully only by Luke (24:13-35. Comp. Mark 16:12, 13).
5. To the ten disciples (Thomas being absent) and others “with them,” at Jerusalem on the evening of the resurrection day. One of the evangelists gives an account of this appearance, John (20:19-24).
6. To the disciples again (Thomas being present) at Jerusalem (Mark 16:14–18; Luke 24:33–40; John 20:26–28. See also 1 Cor. 15:5).
7. To the disciples when fishing at the Sea of Galilee. Of this appearance also John (21:1–23) alone gives an account.
8. To the eleven, and above 500 brethren at once, at an appointed place in Galilee (1 Cor. 15:6; comp. Matt. 28:16–20).
9. To James, but under what circumstances we are not informed (1 Cor. 15:7).
10. To the apostles immediately before the ascension. They accompanied him from Jerusalem to Mount Olivet, and there they saw him ascend “till a cloud received him out of their sight” (Mark 16:19; Luke 24:50–52; Acts 1:4–10). It is worthy of note that it is distinctly related that on most of these occasions our Lord afforded his disciples the amplest opportunity of testing the fact of his resurrection. He conversed with them face to face. They touched him (Matt. 28:9; Luke 24:39; John 20:27), and he ate bread with them (Luke 24:42, 43; John 21:12, 13).
11. In addition to the above, mention might be made of Christ’s manifestation of himself to Paul at Damascus, who speaks of it as an appearance of the risen Saviour (Acts 9:3–9, 17; 1 Cor. 15:8; 9:1).
12. It is implied in the words of Luke (Acts 1:3) that there may have been other appearances of which we have no record.

BW Retreat Testimony

[dropcap]P[/dropcap]raise God for His provisions so that my family and I could sit at Christ’s feet to learn from His Word during the recent Bible Witness Retreat.

Acts 8:30-31 reads, “And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest? And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.”

Once again, the Lord has used Pastor’s sermons during the BW Retreat to open my eyes to behold such marvellous truths which I had not previously gleaned from my limited personal study of His Word.

My heart rejoices with thanksgiving that God’s outstretched arm has reached out to me – a Gentile – with His divine adoption! Though I am definitely unworthy, God has graciously bestowed upon me the glorious privilege of being called a child of the Most High God. It reminds me of Paul’s words in Rom 9:26, “And it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people; there shall they be called the children of the living God.”

May my Heavenly Father empower me to “fear not… for it is (my) Father’s good pleasure to give (me) the kingdom” (Luke 12:32), as well as to “walk worthy of God, who hath called (me) unto His kingdom and glory” (1 Thess 2:12).

Dorcas Koshy

“But God forbid that I should glory,
save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ,
by whom the world is crucified unto me,
and I unto the world”
Galatians 6:14

We are not Boasters in the Flesh

In his epistle to the Galatian church, Paul warned and corrected believers who were misled by a group of Jewish false teachers who had penetrated the church. These false teachers were what we now know as “Judaizers”. They insisted that Gentiles who became Christians ought to observe the ceremonial laws of the Old Testament, such as circumcision and the dietary laws. According to them, faith in the atoning death of Christ is not enough; it must also be accompanied with the practice of the ceremonial laws.

After a series of arguments against the false teachings of the Judaizers, Paul came to a head when he wrote about them, “As many as desire to make a fair shew in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised; only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ. For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law; but desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh” (vv.12-13).

According to Paul, the Judaizers’ insistence on circumcision meant that:

1. they were self-promoters – they wanted to present a pleasing front in the flesh, that is, outwardly, to other Jewish men by citing that Gentiles were circumcised by their effort.
2. they sought human praise and approval – they were anxious to gain the approval and respect of the Jews who were hostile to the Gospel of Christ, a goal that should have shown the Galatians just how wrong-headed the false teachers were.
3. they sought to glory in their flesh rather than in Christ – they, by insisting on circumcision, made their fleshly achievement far more important than the cross of Christ.
4. they sought comfort and ease – they tried to avoid the bitter experience of persecution from their families and friends who rejected Christ by compromising and yielding to Jewish traditions. Many Jews who followed Christ wholeheartedly faced slander, threats, ostracism, mental and physical torture, etc.
5. they sought to obey the ceremonial aspect of the law without yielding to its moral claims – they thus promoted a hypocritical religion. None can be justified through circumcision and be right with God if he breaks even one other commandment (cf. Galatians 5:3; James 2:10).

All such boasting in one’s flesh is utterly futile. Our justification and redemption are not our works. Be it the ceremonial or moral aspect, we have already corrupted the law and are unable to perfectly fulfil the righteous demands of the law. Paul said in Galatians 2:16, “Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.”

We are Boasters in the Cross of Christ

Thus, Paul tells us that the only worthwhile boasting is in the cross of Christ - “But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world” (Galatians 6:14).

Our boasting is not in ourselves, but in the redemptive work of Christ on the cross. We rejoice and are assured that our salvation is secured by the price that Jesus paid with His precious blood which He shed in His death on the cross. Our boasting is only in God’s grace and the price His Son has paid on Calvary to redeem us.

The only appropriate boasting is that Christ on the cross has eradicated our sins and guilt, and thus made us His children. “For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit” (Romans 8:3-4).

We do not rejoice or exult in anything that this world offers more than the cross of Christ, which has removed our damnation and blessed us with eternal salvation and all divine blessings. Life’s status, human praise, reputation, wealth and all things that have a show of earthly splendour are not what thrill a genuine Christian. All such things are dead to him, as Paul said, “by whom (Christ) the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.”

Dear Christian, is your boast in the Cross of Christ? Do you value Christ’s death more than the glittering prospects and the wealth of the world? Or does the world make your heart numb and cold towards Christ? “That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 1:31).

Today, we feel sadness and happiness in our hearts – sadness, because of the death of the remarkable first prime minister and builder of modern Singapore, Mr Lee Kuan Yew; happiness, because of the 27th Anniversary of our beloved church, Gethsemane B-P Church, Singapore.

Like all grateful citizens and residents of Singapore, we too mourn the death of Singapore’s much respected leader (on Monday, Mar 23, at 3.18am), who was aptly credited with the title “father of modern Singapore” by local and international dignitaries. Mr Lee was an unusually talented politician and, more importantly, a statesman who was deeply dedicated to securing the nation’s peaceful existence and economic growth. We too salute this great national leader who had steered Singapore into a success story over the past 50 years.

However, we know that without God’s gracious providence, no human leader can perfectly assure our success. “Except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain” (Psalm 127:1b). Hence, let us be thankful to the All- Sovereign God, who has ordained good governance in Singapore and sustained it till this day. “For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God . . . For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil” (Romans 13:1, 4). His gracious providence has given us all a peaceful country to live in and practise our Christian faith. Let us pray that in Singapore, we will continue to have the freedom to worship and extend the Gospel work. May God’s goodness grant us also the opportunity and resources to continue to send the Gospel light to all corners of the world.

Today, as we give thanks to God for 27 years of abundant blessings which we have enjoyed as a church, let us also dedicate ourselves to live wholeheartedly for His glory, for the edification of fellow believers far and near, and for the salvation of sinners through the preaching of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. If we serve the LORD with faithfulness and zeal, we will certainly be a blessing in this nation and beyond

Let me end with the promise of God in Psalm 115:11-18, “Ye that fear the LORD, trust in the LORD: he is their help and their shield. The LORD hath been mindful of us: he will bless us; he will bless the house of Israel; he will bless the house of Aaron. He will bless them that fear the LORD, both small and great. The LORD shall increase you more and more, you and your children. The heaven, even the heavens, are the LORD’S: but the earth hath he given to the children of men. The dead praise not the LORD, neither any that go down into silence. But we will bless the LORD from this time forth and for evermore. Praise the LORD.”

Anniversary Greetings

Dear Rev Dr Prabhudas Koshy, Session & congregation,

Greetings in the blessed Name of our Risen Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ!

All glory, praise and thanksgiving to the Almighty God for His blessed preservation of and provision for Gethsemane BPC, as well as the many faithful ministries of the church throughout the past 27 years.

We rejoice with you as you continue to faithfully serve in the sharing of the Gospel of salvation and the building up of the saints by upholding the inerrant, infallible Word of God in the preserved King James Bible.

As we see the Lord’s return drawing ever closer, we must be encouraged to stand fast in the Truth of God’s Word and be thankful for His goodness, mercy and grace always (1 Thess. 5:18).

May your Anniversary Thanksgiving service be a blessed time of rejoicing and fellowship. May indeed His kingdom be extended as His Word is proclaimed. The Lord be with you in all your endeavours (2 Cor. 13:14).

In His Service,
Pastor Errol, Session & congregation of
Faith Presbyterian Church-Perth
PS A love gift of A$1,200.00 will follow ($1,000.00 for the Church Building Fund and $200.00 for the church).

Dear Pastor, the Church Session and Fellow Gethsemaneans,

Thine, O LORD, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O LORD, and thou art exalted as head above all. Both riches and honour come of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand is power and might; and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all. Now therefore, our God, we thank thee, and praise thy glorious name” (1 Chronicles 29:11-13).

On this happy occasion of your 27th Anniversary Thanksgiving, we join you in remembering the Lord’s goodness and rejoicing in His praises for yet another year of fruitful service to His Name.

We give all glory and honour to the LORD for His greatness and faithfulness in supplying, sustaining and prospering all your endeavours. For truly, the Lord has done great and mighty things in you and through you!

Beloved brethren, please know that all the works of your hands have been a great blessing and encouragement to us and to many others! Most of all, they are as “an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God” (Philippians 4:18b).

Blessed Anniversary to you All!

Yours in Christ,
Reggor B. Galarpe
Gethsemane B-P Church (Cebu)
Cebu City, The Philippines

If the Lord be pleased to bless our plans for the mission trips to the Philippines at the end of May, our church shall see two teams of brethren from our midst making the journey to our mission stations in the Philippines. One group, led by Eld Mah Chin Kwang, will visit and minister to churches in Cebu and Bohol, while the other group, led by Pr Dennis Kabingue, will minister in Pangasinan.

Those who have signed up to join the abovementioned mission trips, will be notified of their contributory parts by the respective leaders of the mission teams. Duties for all the participants will be assigned by the team leaders, according to the spiritual maturity and experience of the team members. Whatever be the part you are assigned, please earnestly pray that your visitation will be a blessing to the believers in our mission stations.

I would like to urge all those who are participating in the upcoming mission trips to prepare their hearts early in prayer. As an encouragement to you, I would like to urge you to consider the words of Paul to the Roman believers that expressed his heart’s anticipation to visit them and minister unto them.

Paul wrote, “That I may come unto you with joy by the will of God, and may with you be refreshed” (Romans 15:32). This was one of the several personal requests that Paul made to the believers in Rome for their prayer. He appealed to them for prayer (vv. 30-32). Though he was a man of great faith, abundant wisdom, astounding courage and extraordinary success in his Gospel endeavours, he constantly solicited prayers of fellow brethren (Eph. 6:18-19; Phil. 1:19; Col. 4:3; 1 Thess. 5:25; 2 Thess. 3:1-2; Philm. 1:22; Heb. 13:18-19). Paul was acutely aware of his needs and weaknesses, and humbly sought the co-operation of his brethren to fulfil his desires in the LORD. Like a thriving businessman who is dependent on those around him, the apostle in his increasing “business” for the Lord sought the prayers of fellow Christians.

Paul asked them to pray for his upcoming ministry in Jerusalem, where there were many hostile unbelievers who could cause him serious harm. So he would have them to pray for his deliverance from the violence of the hostile unbelievers, and for his service to be accepted by the saints in Jerusalem. He then desired the earnest prayers of the believers in Rome concerning his plan to visit them. Even as he yearned to have the joy of seeing them and being refreshed by their fellowship, he knew there were many obstacles that could impede his intended journey to Rome.

To God’s servants like Paul, nothing is more reviving and refreshing to their hearts than the loving presence and communion of God’s people. How we ought to pray that we will be used of the Lord to minister joy and comfort to His servants who labour in His vineyard! We should not only pray for safety and success in their ministries, but also for us to be a means of spiritual and physical refreshing to His faithful servants. There is no better way to show our brotherhood and solidarity with the ministers of the Gospel than our prayerful availability and refreshing fellowship.

Though Paul desired the joy and comfort of their fellowship, he remained submissive to God’s sovereign will. So he asked them to pray that he “may come…by the will of God”. He trusted in the wise disposing of God’s providence. For Paul, God’s will mattered more than his own desires. He only finally arrived in Rome as a prisoner for the Gospel to testify before Caesar (cf. Acts 21:17–28:16; Phil. 1:12, 13; 4:22). Truly, man proposes, God disposes! God’s greater purposes must prevail in and through us.

Brisbane B-P Church Bible Seminar & Anniversary Thanksgiving Service

Dear Rev Koshy and Sis Carolyn,

These are some photos taken at the Bible Seminar and Anniversary Thanksgiving Service last weekend. Thank God for your blessed ministry and fellowship in our midst.

May the Lord strengthen you and richly bless you and your ministry and your family.

Yours in Christ,
Rev Hien

Ephesians 6:13 “Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.”

Christians need to arm themselves with “the whole armour of God” for their “adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8). Our enemies are more than flesh and blood. In Ephesians 6:12, Paul says, “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” The devil has set against Christians a great many demonic forces, worldly and fleshly lusts, unbelieving people, etc. All these are constantly trying to bring down Christians through Satanic devices.

This being a spiritual warfare, “the weapons of our warfare are not carnal.” (2 Cor. 10:4a). Christians are provided with the “armour of God”, which is “mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds” (2 Cor. 10:4b). The Christian soldier’s armour is wholly spiritual. The spiritual armaments provided by God are best suited for defeating the device of Satan. No better armoury can a man find for spiritual victory than that which God has provided for him. According to Ephesians 6:14-17, the whole armour of God consists of (i) the belt of truth, (ii) the breastplate of righteousness, (iii) the shoes of the preparation of the Gospel of peace, (iv) the shield of faith, (v) the helmet of salvation, and (vi) the sword of the Spirit. The armour of God is indispensable, and also ever accessible. What glorious and powerful protective gear the Lord has given to us!

Christians must always be ready with the whole armour of God – that is an absolute necessity to fight the good fight. It is very foolish for a soldier to enter the battlefield without his armour, yet many Christians do this every day; being utterly defenceless, they become easy prey.

Christians are also called to stand firm in the evil day - when is “the evil day”? Though every day can be said to be an “evil day”, it is a reference to a day when the relentless forces of the devil pounce on a believer. It is the day of test! It can be today or tomorrow. Hence, having done all things in preparation for the battle, we must stand our ground. Christians must not become indolent or lazy. Neither should they become fearful. Even when they have gained victory over a certain satanic assault, they must brace themselves for the next battle. Fight for Christ to the end of your life!

In preparation for the upcoming Church fasting and prayer

The frequent practice of fasting in both the Old Testament and New Testaments indicates that there is much value in the practice. For the Christian, that value always lies in the connection of fasting with prayer. Fasting with sincere prayer is what we should pursue.

The Teachings of Jesus & the Apostles on Fasting

There are those who say that fasting (for prayer) is not a spiritual exercise for the New Testament church. Many also seem to ignore fasting altogether. But Jesus and the apostles indicated that fasting and prayer are necessary and must be practised according to the divine counsels in the Scriptures.

Jesus said (to those who asked Him why His disciples did not fast) that “the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then shall they fast” (Matthew 9:15; Mark 2:18-20; Luke 5:33-35). Jesus’ answer to their question implied that during this age, when Christ is absent, fasting is appropriate. Therefore, it is a good thing to fast and pray, as individuals and as a church.

It is clear that Jesus and the apostles did not disapprove fasting. In fact, they engaged in fasting and prayer.

We read about Jesus fasting in Matthew 4:1-2, “Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungered.”

Psalm 69:8-12, which predicted Jesus’ earthly experiences, spoke of his fasting - “I am become a stranger unto my brethren, and an alien unto my mother’s children. For the zeal of thine house hath eaten me up; and the reproaches of them that reproached thee are fallen upon me. When I wept, and chastened my soul with fasting, that was to my reproach. I made sackcloth also my garment; and I became a proverb to them. They that sit in the gate speak against me; and I was the song of the drunkards.”

We also read of the apostles and the early church fasting in Acts 13:2, 3 and 14:23. The apostle Paul’s high regard for fasting and prayer is seen when he advised the husbands and wives to be separated only for a period “that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer” (1 Corinthians 7:5).

The teaching of Jesus on the subject is largely corrective and places the emphasis on the motive behind the fasting.

Matthew recorded Jesus’ additional teachings on fasting in 6:16-18, where we read, “Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.”

In the above passage, Jesus did not prohibit fasting altogether, but He corrected the Jews’ wrong manner and attitude of fasting. They were making a public display of it, for self-glory. They were propagating an outward religion without inward reality of spiritual devotion.

It is also seen from this passage that:

(a) Fasting is a private matter between the praying person and God. It should not be practised to impress another man’s eye.

(b) If we are going to fast, let us fast in secret (not to show off) and live normally before our fellow men.

(c) If one is going to fast, one’s motive must be right. In all things, God demands sincerity, not formality

The Attitude Behind Genuine and Effective Fasting

Fasting must be done with a humble, repentant and devoted spirit - without display, without hypocrisy

Fasting must be observed to consciously detach oneself from anything that could keep one from praying.

Fasting is a deliberate clearing of the way for prayer - getting rid of, for a time, all weights and encumbrances for a time.

Fasting should be a reflection of one’s determination to abstain from lesser blessings in order to enjoy the greater - a time of full, unbroken fellowship with God.

Fasting must be an unusual persistence to engage in a season of prayer.

Fasting must be “a practical acknowledgment of the supremacy of the spiritual” (J.O. Sanders).

Fasting is only an aid and accompaniment of prayer. Many have erringly focused instead on the mental, ‘spiritual’ and physical benefits of fasting (as such sharpened spiritual sensitivities, ability to speak in tongues, etc.), but these claims have no warrant in Scripture.

Biblical Reasons for Fasting

1. Fasting is a very proper expression of repentance in prayer

   The people of Nineveh fasted when they repented. “So the people of Nineveh believed God, and proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them even to the least of them. For word came unto the king of Nineveh, and he arose from his throne, and he laid his robe from him, and covered him with sackcloth, and sat in ashes. And he caused it to be proclaimed and published through Nineveh by the decree of the king and his nobles, saying, Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste any thing: let them not feed, nor drink water” (Jonah 3:5-7).

   Likewise, Saul after his encounter with the Lord at the gate of Damascus fasted and prayed in repentance. “And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink. And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord. And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth” (Acts 9:9-11).

2. Fasting is a special occasion of worship - Acts 13:2.

   “As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.”

3. Fasting and prayer are part of appointment or ordaining of missionaries/leaders of the church - Acts 13:2-3.

   This same occasion of worship also coincided with a special appointment service. “As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.”

   On yet another occasion, “And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed” (Acts 14:23).

4. Fasting enables us to seek God’s help when faced with insurmountable problems or overpowering tasks.

   Godly men of the Bible have sought the Lord, when they were faced with enormous challenges, problems and tasks. The following are just a few of many such examples in the Scriptures:

Joshua sought the Lord in fasting and prayer because 3,000 men of Israel were defeated and chased back by the men of Ai, and the people of Israel became very frightened - “the hearts of the people melted, and became as water. And Joshua rent his clothes, and fell to the earth upon his face before the ark of the LORD until the eventide, he and the elders of Israel, and put dust upon their heads” (Joshua 7:4-6). He did not appear to have eaten anything as he laid before the Lord till the evening.

The children of Israel sought the Lord in fasting to know whether they should fight against the wicked Benjamites. “Then all the children of Israel, and all the people, went up, and came unto the house of God, and wept, and sat there before the LORD, and fasted that day until even, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the LORD. And the children of Israel enquired of the LORD, (for the ark of the covenant of God was there in those days, And Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron, stood before it in those days,) saying, Shall I yet again go out to battle against the children of Benjamin my brother, or shall I cease? And the LORD said, Go up; for to morrow I will deliver them into thine hand” (Judges 20:26-28).

Another example is found in Ezra 8:21-23 - “Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river of Ahava, that we might afflict ourselves before our God, to seek of him a right way for us, and for our little ones, and for all our substance. For I was ashamed to require of the king a band of soldiers and horsemen to help us against the enemy in the way: because we had spoken unto the king, saying, The hand of our God is upon all them for good that seek him; but his power and his wrath is against all them that forsake him. So we fasted and besought our God for this: and he was intreated of us.”

Likewise in Esther 4:15-16, we have another example - “Then Esther bade them return Mordecai this answer, Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish.”

The Practice of Fasting

What should we do when we observe a fast? In Nehemiah 9, we have a classic example of how the people of God came together to fast and pray (please read Nehemiah 9). From this passage, the following guidelines are derived for a special gathering for fasting and prayer by God’s people:

• We must repent of all our sins that hinder God’s guidance and blessings in our lives.
• We must read the law of God.
• We must remember His goodness and worship Him.
• We must renew our commitment to the Lord to obey and serve Him.
• We must make a covenant with the Lord.
• We must submit our petition to the Lord.

The Promise of Fasting

When one fasts in the proper manner for the proper reasons, “thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly” (Matthew 6:17-18). This is one of the most wonderful promises in the Bible and cannot be dismissed lightly. The Lord would not make such a promise if He did not consider fasting as important for His people. Christ never discouraged proper fasting. He only condemned and corrected false practices, but never once did He discourage scriptural fasting. In fact, He expects His followers to fast. In Matthew 6:17, He did not say, “If thou fastest”; He said, “WHEN thou fastest.”