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The Lord was pleased to use His servant – the late Pr Dominino dela Cruz, Jr (husband of Sis Sharon and father of Nehemiah) – to establish a mission church in Bogo, Cebu, the Philippines in 2008. In the following year, another mission church in San Antonio (which is a nearby village where he grew up) was also inaugurated. Despite the many trials and oppositions encountered, our missionary and the two congregations stood steadfast and pressed on. He served joyfully together with his family for 3 years, before the Lord called him home on the Lord’s day, 7 July 2013 to his eternal rest after a hard-fought battle against cancer.

Elder Eliezer Ortega, who was then taking care of The Gethsemane Care Ministry in Cebu City, an outreach to former drug addicts and offenders of the law, yielded to the Lord’s call to lead the much-saddened flock. He was commissioned on 28 July 2013. Together with his wife, Sis Arlaine, they moved from Cebu City to serve in Bogo, leaving their three children behind in Cebu City. They have been serving faithfully since, amidst the increasingly difficult and demanding work.

Mission Bogo 2017, which aims to encourage our missionary and the brethren in Bogo and San Antonio, was the fourth in a series of mission trips initiated by our Gethsemane Encourager’s Ministry (GEM). Over the past 2 years, similar mission trips were made to Cebu City, Pangasinan and Kuching. By God’s grace and leading, the Lord provided a strong team of 28 brethren from our midst (that included 5 young children) to serve and fellowship with brethren of our mission churches in Bogo and San Antonio from 27-30 April 2017.

All praise be unto the Lord for this large team, which accorded many blessed opportunities to preach and teach God’s Word to unbelievers, and to fellowship with the saints. With much grace and help from the Lord, the team was able to, in the short space of three and a-half days, visit 9 homes, have a full-day DVBS, including an “oral hygiene” instruction class in both Bogo and San Antonio, as well as conduct 3 evangelism sessions in Bogo and the areas around San Antonio and Libjo, where many tracts were distributed and the Gospel shared. All of these were held concurrently. The team also had the joy of being able to co-labour and participate in the combined Prayer Meeting held on Friday evening in Bogo, as well as the Worship Service on the Lord’s day, where our Pastor brought the Word.

Mission Bogo 2017 is different from earlier mission trips in several ways, besides the size of the team. This mission trip, though initially planned for March 2017, was rescheduled to take place just before the Philippines churches’ Combined Camp (planned to be held from 1-4 May 2017), as suggested by Pastor Koshy and Rev Reggor Galarpe, pastor of the mission church in Cebu City. This provided another opportunity for many brethren to serve and be blessed by the teaching of God’s Word during the camp, where Pastor Koshy was the camp speaker. A total of 17 brethren from the mission team stayed on for the camp. Pastor and Sis Carolyn, as well as Pr Dennis Kabingue and his family extended their mission visits in the Philippines further in ministering to the brethren in Bohol and Davao/Cebu City respectively, by arriving a few days prior to the arrival of the other mission team members on 27 April 2017.

For many in the mission team, the opportunities to serve alongside our brethren in the kitchens and meeting halls of the two churches in Bogo and San Antonio, as well as in travelling to and fro from our hotels to the church premises and to homes in remote rural areas, were enriching and blessed experiences. The ready smiles of brethren and non-believers that we encountered during evangelism were heartwarming. The warm welcome we received in the early hours of 27 April from Rev Reggor, his family, Eld Eliezer, his wife, Bro Allan and his family at Mactan Airport, Cebu set the tone of brotherly love that we continued to receive during our short stay. Through Bro Allan’s contacts in the airport, the 31 large pieces of communal luggage – comprising Pastor’s devotionals, Bible Witness magazines, tracts, etc. weighing more than 300kg, together with the team’s personal belongings – were accorded special consideration through customs. We were able to get out of the airport without any of our luggage subject to close examination. May the Lord be praised for His providence.

The Lord is to be praised too for the protection and safety of the team throughout all our travels from/to the airport and hotel, walking on unfamiliar roads and riding in small motorcycle cabs to the church in Bogo, with several brethren having to ride these cabs to and fro between Bogo and San Antonio (a distance of 10 km)! Though it was an interesting experience to 7 members of the team, it was nevertheless a somewhat risky and uncomfortable pillion-ride at the back seat on motorcycles across small unpaved, bumpy paths – sometimes even at the very edge of a steep slope – to visit a brother’s home. The Lord was good to also grant good health to all in the team, without anyone suffering severe illness.

I am certain that the mission trip has opened the eyes of the team to the needs of our brethren in Bogo and San Antonio. More than their physical needs, there is a dire need for spiritual encouragement and strengthening. May the Lord use brethren who have been given this glimpse of the lives of our brethren there to encourage them in the Lord, especially our missionary Eld Eliezer and his wife, to stay steadfast and to persevere for the Lord Jesus’ glory.

Though a detailed report would be submitted to the church by the mission team upon their return, I thought it would be good to write to you a few things that God has enabled us to do thus far. As I write this very brief report, the mission team is already into its second day of ministry here in Bogo. Yesterday (i.e. on Thursday), the team members were divided into different groups to engage in street evangelism and home visitations. Today, while some are conducting a one-day Gospel programme for the children, others are engaging in street evangelism and home visitations.

Before the arrival of the mission team, Preacher Dennis and family have visited Davao City and ministered the Word to his contacts. Over the last weekend, he preached to about 50 people who had gathered on the excellencies of Christ from Hebrews 1:1-4. We thank God that Pr Dennis was able to conduct a three-day preaching visit to Davao. Let us pray that the Lord will be pleased to bless this effort with lasting results to all eternity.

By God’s grace, my wife and I were enabled to visit Bohol island. Our main ministry was to our mission church in Tagbilaran City. Preacher Edsel Locot has been ministering in this place for about 11 years. We are very grateful that the Lord has kept His servant (Pr Edsel) strong and determined in the work of the Gospel, though the church has often been shaken by the departure of many who had earlier joined the church. The world exerts tremendous pressure through temptations and trials upon those who come to the church. Certain vices – gambling, drugs, fornication and adultery - are very rampant among the people of this island, and they are often the cause/s of the falling away of many.

I have gone to the city’s prison to visit a man who has been arrested for drugs and is repentant. He has been regularly visited and ministered to by Pr Edsel. This man had been a member of the church, but was lured into drugs again. Even though the preacher had repeatedly warned him, he denied his sins and secretly pursued them. It was a very high-risk “thrill” that he was pursuing, especially as the Philippines’ president, Rodrigo Duterte, has declared war against the drug-dealers and abusers! This man was dancing with death. He could have been easily shot dead by the anti-drug officers. He barely escaped being shot, and was arrested and placed in jail. The condition of the prison is extremely miserable. Pr Edsel was able to obtain a special permit for me to visit the prison with him. We exhorted the man to bear fruit of repentance while he is in the prison, by living out a life of good Christian testimony. I was glad to know that he is committed to live a renewed life as a Christian.

The small congregation of our church in Bohol has about 20 worshippers (including children). Most of them are economically poor. However, they rejoice in the Lord and His Word. I preached to them last Lord’s Day, as well as on Monday and Tuesday nights, based on 1 Peter 4. One young lady of the church also brought her colleague, who was a Catholic, to hear God’s Word. She came for two nights and testified of her interest to know more of Christ and the Bible. She expressed her desire to come back and attend the church activities. Let us pray that the Lord will soon open her heart to receive the Lord Jesus as her Saviour.

On Wednesday, Carolyn and I left Bohol (by ferry) for Cebu, where we were received by Rev Reggor Galarpe and family. We attended the Cebu congregation’s Bible Study and prayer meeting that night. I preached during this meeting from Deuteronomy 33:29 on the topic, “Happy art the people of God”. The meeting was attended by 40 over church members. We praise God for the opportunities to fellowship with many of the leaders and members of the Cebu congregation. Their steadfastness and zeal in the Lord are truly commendable – truly, let us praise the Lord for their continued walk with the Lord!

Our Debt of Love

“Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law” (Romans 13:8).

As Paul begins to exhort the brethren concerning the debt of love that Christians owe one another, he said, “Owe no man any thing”. So can we borrow money? The Bible allows lending and borrowing in times of real need (Deuteronomy 15:7-8; Psalm 37:26; Exodus 22:25). But it discourages us from being in debt, for a man’s debt would make him subservient to the lender (cf. Deuteronomy 15:6; 28:12, 44; Proverbs 22:7). The Bible also warns against taking responsibility for the debts of others (cf. Proverbs 6:1-5; 22:26-27). It is a sin to borrow and not repay (cf. Psalm 37:21). God does not want us to be under obligation to any because of unsettled debts.

Nevertheless, we must deem loving one another as our permanent debt and duty to others. This is not the first time Paul talked about love in his epistle to the Romans. In Romans 12:9-10, he described love as thus – “Let love be without dissimulation... Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love”. So, we must recognise our debt of love.

We are spiritually obliged to love everyone as our verse says, “love one another”. Love must be extended, without discrimination, to all and sundry in the church and everywhere. Love is a debt which can never be settled. Even though we have been daily showing kindness to others, yet our debt of love can never be fully paid as long as there is an opportunity to do good.

How much do we owe others? As much as we love ourselves (cf. Romans 13:9b; Matthew 19:19; 7:12; Ephesians 5:28-29), and as much as God has loved us (cf. John 13:34-35; 15:12-13). Remember how God loved us when we were His enemies (cf. Romans 5:8)? That is how we ought to love others.

Paul also told us the reason for the debt of love – “for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law”. Some think that the law and love are contrary to one another. Actually, they are in harmony with each other. Only by loving others can one be fully obedient to God’s moral laws. Galatians 5:14 says, “For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.” James identifies loving others as the royal law – “If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well” (James 2:8). Love helps us to fulfil God’s law. True love helps us to uphold the righteous laws of God.

Republishing “Things that Wreck Short-Term Missions”
(Bible Witness, Volume 6, Issue 1)

Our self-conceited attitude, unreasonable expectations and hypocrisy can disrupt or even ruin the short-term missions organised by our churches or fellowship groups. To maximise your contribution to the missionary, mission church and the mission team, avoid doing the things mentioned below:

1. Negligence of personal daily devotion.
   Some have neglected their time of prayer and meditation of God’s Word because they have to pursue a busy schedule. It is totally inadequate just to rely on group devotions and the preaching of the Word during the mission activities...
2. Unwillingness to do any menial work.
   To make a mission trip successful, everyone in the team has to be always ready to take up any task or challenge. It is totally absurd to refuse to do any menial work, saying that during the missionary trip your only duty is to win souls. It is totally false to think that doing menial works like dataentry, loading trucks, cooking, etc. will distract you from your primary task of winning souls. Not everyone is called to be preachers. For example, younger Christians in the team, who are not equipped to preach and teach, can contribute by helping in the physical aspects of the ministries.
3. Picking on the missionaries and their mistakes.
   Do not jump to conclusions quickly when you notice something that appears to be wrong. Be patient and careful not to make unjust and erroneous judgment.
4. Disagreeing, criticising or murmuring against your team leaders.
   Normally, leaders of mission trips are Christians who are experienced and matured men. They make decisions based on their best knowledge and judgment. It will be far better to prayerfully cooperate with the leaders in whatever way you can than being a dissident in the mission team. If you complain and murmur, it will affect the unity and effectiveness of the team.
5. Dealing harshly with team members who make a mistake.
   Unkind remarks and discourteous behaviour can lead to much grief and problems during mission trips. Be gracious and affectionate one to another.
6. Being too suspicious or being too trusting of everyone you meet during the trip.
   It is wrong to think that everyone in poor countries is out to get something from you. Also, it is dangerous to think that everyone who appears to be friendly is safe to trust. The best is to follow the instructions given by the team leaders and local leaders.
7. Refusing the local food, which might not have been cooked well to your taste!
   Be kind and generous towards one another.
8. Keeping your distance from team members who could not raise their full support.
9. Getting involved romantically with someone, or getting into a quarrel with your friend.
   Though there is nothing wrong in getting to know someone closer, you must not lose the focus of the nature and purpose of the mission trip. Also, avoid getting into petty quarrels with your friend.
10. Scolding your home church upon your return from the mission field for their lack of commitment, for their weak prayers, or for their inadequate giving to missions.
    One or two mission trips do not prove that you have become the perfect Christian. Instead, encourage the home church by your example in supporting the missions, since you have witnessed the needs and struggles of missions.

It was required that Christ should rise from the dead. Just as He had to die, He had to rise and live. This was necessary for several reasons:

1. He rose again to prove and declare that He was the Son of God (Rom. 1:4).

During His Humiliation, and particularly in His death, Christ’s divinity was obscured under a veil of the many infirmities of His humanity, but in His resurrection He proved His eternal power and Godhead. Indeed it is true that others were raised, and indeed shortly all shall rise; therefore merely to be raised from the dead is not proof of the divinity of the one raised. Yet, for Someone to raise Himself by His own power, that is sufficient proof of divinity. He gave evidence of divinity by raising others in His name, but He was required to raise Himself by His own power to prove Himself God. There was a further proof of His divinity in the resurrection, in that He died according to the Law and justice of God, sentenced as our Surety to suffer the whole weight of the wrath of God. For Him to be released from this sentence, after He had been born for that very purpose, and to live again having fulfilled all the demands of justice upon Him, proves Him to be God. The weight of wrath that He bore would have broken the whole of creation, and they would never have been released.

2. In this way He attested to His perfect victory over death and our spiritual enemies.

It was not enough that Christ should die for us. In dying He must be a conqueror, otherwise His death would not profit us. Indeed, He suffered in order that He might overcome – “That through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil” (Heb. 2:14). This was shown and proven by His resurrection. This is the reason why Paul, after he had demonstrated by many arguments that Christ was risen, and then shown what was the glorious cause of it, concluded the passage with a note of triumph – “But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Cor. 15:57). It is true that Christ conquered all on His cross: there the battle was fought and there the victory was gained. But that victory was made into a triumph in His resurrection. Now His enemies fled, quitting the field – “Let God arise, let his enemies be scattered; let those also who hate him flee before him” (Psa. 68:1). He made a conquest of death itself, and it lay dead at His feet. Christ would never be known as a conqueror, except for this. If death had held Him as her captive, where would His victory be?

3. He rose for our justification.

“Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification” (Rom. 4:25). As He died to pay our debt, so He rose again to acquit or absolve us from it. Christ’s resurrection was both His and our discharge: His, when He stood as our surety bond for us, and ours, as those for whom He was Surety. As Christ by dying was made virtually, so by rising He becomes actually the object of our justifying faith.

He became a sufficient object of faith not merely by undertaking to appear in our place, but by actually making an end of the transgressions on our account and paying our whole debt. If He had not made satisfaction for us, we could not in justice have been pardoned. If He had not fully reconciled us to God and completely answered the Law’s demands, we could not have been saved. Therefore if He had continued on in death, it would have shown the continuing need for payment; which would have revealed its imperfection, and consequently its invalidity. Christ could not rise until justice acquitted Him. His bond was submitted for our cause, and it must be accepted by the Judge, and that only by a full payment of the bond. When He arose, this bond was returned to Him, and cancelled. Our debt is paid, our bond is returned. Therefore His resurrection stands in opposition to all that could be laid to our charge (Rom. 8:34). Therefore this is one of the arguments that the apostle Paul uses to prove that Christ must be risen, “And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins!” (1 Cor. 15:17).

4. It was to put Christ into a proper condition for the completing of the work remaining in the execution of His offices.

We observed in a previous sermon that Christ executes His offices in both states of Humiliation and Exaltation. As our Priest, He was to satisfy justice for us, and afterwards to intercede for us (Heb. 7:25). As our Prophet, here He taught with His mouth, but there He sent forth His Spirit, and therefore He had to go to the Father (John 16:17). As our King, here He commanded His disciples and gave them laws, but He must also govern them by His power and wield the sceptre over the world. This was accomplished by His resurrection (Psa. 2:6) and following (cf. Acts 13:33). Indeed, there was the glory of a mediator promised to Him as a reward for His obedience, and it was necessary for Him to rise in order to take possession of it –”Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory?” (Luke 24:26).

5. It was necessary for Him to rise, so He would be the first fruits of our resurrection, both spiritually and bodily (1 Cor. 15:20-23).

By “first fruits” we are not to understand first in order of time, but in order of causation. Those who rose at Christ’s death, as described in the Gospel (Matt. 27:52, 53), rose by the power and influence of His resurrection. Furthermore, it is a sure pledge of the resurrection of His members. When the first fruits were offered to God under the Law, He accepted them and gave His people an assurance of the harvest. The apostle Paul makes the same point in 1 Cor. 15, using the order of the covenants. Just as Adam in the first covenant, standing for us, procured death for us, so Christ in the new covenant, being our Surety, has purchased a resurrection for us. His resurrection is the earnest of ours (1 Cor. 15:20).

“All they that see me laugh me to scorn: they shoot out the lip, they shake the head.”— Psalm 22:7

Psalm 22 is a Messianic Psalm that speaks of the humiliation, sufferings and crucifixion which Christ our Lord would endure on our behalf. He was mocked relentlessly by the Jews and the Romans. The chief priests, the scribes, the Pharisees, Pilate the governor and King Herod all took turns to ridicule, taunt and contemptuously treat our Lord. Their soldiers and servants also jeered at him, and brutally insulted him. They ridiculed His divinity, royalty and dignity.

Who could bear such heartless, cruel savagery? What sorrow must have gripped his soul! Have you wondered what might have been on His lips? The psalmist gives us a peek into Christ’s anguish, as he predictively records His words – “All they that see me laugh me to scorn: they shoot out the lip, they shake the head”.

The sovereign God was maliciously wronged by His creatures. Though despised and rejected, He neither resented nor retaliated. Surely, it was more than just sheer endurance that made Him accept all that utterly bitter contempt and vicious barbarity. There in His pure heart was Love supreme, Love divine – yea, Love beyond degree! So, he bled and died for our salvation.

How do we now respond to Him? Do we despise Him and dishonour him with our ungrateful / unappreciative attitude and actions? Do we pour contempt on Him? O that we would praise Him who died bearing our sins! May He ever be worshipped in our hearts and in our congregation! No more scorn, no more rejection of Christ. He is all to us. Let us rejoice and sing His praises! Let us adore and worship Him! Let us lift up His name high. May He, who was lifted on the cross, be now lifted up in our hearts!

The book of Proverbs has very relevant and helpful counsels for parents concerning inculcating good disciplines in their children. In fact, many passages in Proverbs are written in the form of fatherly or motherly admonition for children, constituting a vast array of wise counsels for diverse situations that parents would face in bringing up their children. So, I advise all Christian parents to take heed of the counsels of Proverbs for the proper upbringing of their children. In this article, I would like to point you to what Proverbs has to say about inculcating godly discipline in our children.

Parental Responsibility

The actual responsibility of inculcating good virtues in our children lies with the parents. Though many parents know this truth, sadly they have been pushing their responsibility to others so that they pursue their ambitions for a luxurious living. The book of Proverbs has this grave warning to parents who forsake their Godgiven responsibility to provide appropriate instruction and discipline when it matters the most – “but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame” (Proverbs 29:15). So it advises every parent, “Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest; yea, he shall give delight unto thy soul.” Proverbs 13:24 says, “he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.” Parents must promptly give instruction and correction to their children. Missing out on relevant instruction and correction when it should be administered is a sure recipe for much sorrow

Methods of Discipline

The word “discipline” in Hebrew (musar) implies both instruction and chastisement. In other words, discipline has to be administered through teaching, rebuke and correction, even the rod of correction. If a child disobeys the parents after being instructed of proper attitude and conduct, steps must be taken to reinforce proper discipline in him through corrective measures, such as rebuke and the use of the rod (cf. Proverbs 4:2, 12; 15:32; 13:24; 22:15). In Proverbs 29:15, we are told that “The rod and reproof give wisdom”. So “withhold not correction from the child” (Proverbs 23:13).

Areas of Discipline

The wisdom that God provides in Proverbs calls out to every parent to “Train up a child in the way he should go” (Proverbs 22:6). The parental duty of nurturing their children also means that they know the right path that their children should go, and be committed to not only pointing them to the right way, but also training them to travel in it.

Proverbs has much to say about what the right path (that the children should go) entails. The following counsels are some pertinent areas of training and discipline that parents should give to the children.

1. Teach children to fear the Lord
   “My son, fear thou the LORD…” (Proverbs 24:21). “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction” (Proverbs 1:7).
2. Teach children to honour the Lord in worship
   In a setting of fatherly instruction, Proverbs admonishes, “Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase: so shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine” (Proverbs 3:9-10). We must admonish our children to give glory to God for all His blessings just as He prescribes in the Bible.
3. Teach children to obey parents
   “My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother” (Proverbs 1:8). It must always be insisted that parents’ instructions are to be followed. Hence, it is very important that parents make sure their instructions are biblical.
4. Teach children to respect authorities
   “My son, fear thou the LORD and the king: and meddle not with them that are given to change” (Proverbs 24:21). Our children should be instructed on how to show respect for rulers of the land, government officials, teachers, etc.
5. Teach children to love neighbours
   “Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it. Say not unto thy neighbour, Go, and come again, and to morrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee. Devise not evil against thy neighbour, seeing he dwelleth securely by thee” (Proverbs 3:27-29). Instil love and respect for neighbours, especially for those who are needy.
6. Teach children how to select friends
   “My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not” (Proverbs 1:10).

   “He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed” (Proverbs 13:20). Friendship that our children develop would either help them in the right way or seduce them into moral and social evils. So, it is important that we guide them with much diligence regarding who they should choose as their friends.

7. Teach children to guard their minds
   “My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. . . . Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life” (Proverbs 4:20-23). Teach them not to say or do anything without proper evaluation as to whether it pleases God. Exhort them to regard divine counsels above their own ideas, imaginations and likes
8. Teach children to control lust of the flesh
   “And why wilt thou, my son, be ravished with a strange woman, and embrace the bosom of a stranger? For the ways of man are before the eyes of the LORD, and he pondereth all his goings. His own iniquities shall take the wicked himself, and he shall be holden with the cords of his sins. He shall die without instruction; and in the greatness of his folly he shall go astray” (Proverbs 5:20-23; cf. 5:1-11; 6:20-28). Teenagers and youths must be warned against the allurement of sexual sins, and immoral persons. Say “No” to watching movies which are sensual in content or reading salacious novels with sexually explicit content. Such entertainment will fan the flame of lust in our children.
9. Teach children to hate gluttony, drunkenness and debauchery
   “Hear thou, my son, and be wise, and guide thine heart in the way. Be not among winebibbers; among riotous eaters of flesh: for the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty: and drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags” (Proverbs 23:19-21; cf. 31:1-6).
10. Teach your children to watch their words
    “Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee” (Proverbs 4:24). Parents must demand pure language from their children. Honourable and gracious speech is a grand peculiarity of godly children.
11. Teach your children to work diligently
    “Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest” (Proverbs 6:6-8; cf. 10:5). We must not allow laziness and procrastination in our children. Insist on diligence and instil an industrious spirit in them.
12. Teach your children to choose a good spouse
    “Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil” (Proverbs 31:10-11). These words are from a mother to her son. Parents’ mutual love and commitment, together with their instruction, must aid children to choose godly lifepartners with whom they can raise a godly generation.

But the LORD said unto me, Say not, I am a child. Jeremiah 1:7

The LORD is teaching Jeremiah, the young preacher, to overcome his timidity, sense of inadequacy and reluctance to enter the ministry to which he had been called. His response to the LORD’s call was: “Ah, Lord GOD! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child” (Jeremiah 1:6). Jeremiah feared that his inexperience and lack of knowledge would render him ineffectual in the ministry.

Such a situation is common even today in the church. The sense of unworthiness has caused some to dread the duties and responsibilities of the ministry. They become timorous and unwilling to accept any duty in the church. The feeling of incompetency has compelled many to decline responsibilities in the Lord’s work.

However, we notice that the LORD’s word to Jeremiah (who feared the call of duty) was: “Say not, I am a child”. The LORD would not let Jeremiah sink into despondency and remain unfruitful in the ministry. The LORD graciously addressed his fear and prevented him from further sliding into his sense of inadequacy.

God’s word to the prophet – “Say not, I am a child” – implies that Jeremiah should not linger any more. He must ignore his own feelings and get into action, just as the LORD had spoken to him. He must believe that the LORD would be able to supply him with wisdom and strength fully equal to the task he had been commissioned to do.

The LORD is able to take a timid man, such as Jeremiah, and equip him for His work so that the glory may be His. By calling and empowering such “ill-adapted tools” for the accomplishment of His purposes, the LORD manifests His great wisdom and power. When God takes a man, who is plagued by a debilitating sense of utter inadequacy, and accomplishes His design through him, all human reasoning shall be thrashed and the magnificence of His wisdom and power shall be exalted.

Many children and young people have been called by the LORD to accomplish His purposes. Samuel, David, Jeremiah, Daniel, Timothy, and many more had been called and separated by the LORD from their childhood or youth, in order to accomplish His great purposes which far surpassed their stature. No one is too small that God cannot use him.

Testimony of Calling to Full-time Ministry

Juvy Lynn Anaviso

Iwant to thank God for leading me to Gethsemane Bible-Presbyterian Church. I also want to give thanks to God for the way He had used Pastor Koshy and Preacher Dennis in my life. Through their preaching, the Lord ministered to me. The Lord now fills my heart with the burden to fear, love and serve Him. I am very happy that now I know God’s will for my life.

It was never my plan to come to Singapore to work. The Lord knows and has a different plan for me. It was in Gethsemane that the Lord restored me from my backsliding four years ago. I also believe He placed the burden and desire to surrender my all to Him that I may serve Him. I then approached Preacher Dennis and shared with him my desire and burden to serve God. When he asked me if the Lord was calling me to serve Him full-time, I did not know how to answer him. As a young believer with little knowledge of the Bible, I really did not know what “calling” means at that time. I replied that I didn’t know, although in my heart and mind I knew very well that the Lord wants me to surrender my life to Him. Preacher Dennis explained to me and emphasised the importance of being called before one should consider entering the full-time ministry. He encouraged me to seek Him in prayer and live a godly life. From then onwards, I started to pray that God would make clear what I should do with my life. The burden and desire to serve God continue to increase as the years go by; however, the Lord was “silent” about my calling.

After three years of waiting, the Lord gave me an opportunity to join the mission trip last year to Manila and Pangasinan, where I had the joy to teach the children in Manila and be an assistant teacher in the DVBS held in Pangasinan. This led me to pray again for God’s leading in my life.

After our return from the mission trip, my heart was stirred when the hymn “Go Labour On” was sung during one of the prayer meetings. The first stanza goes as follows,

“Go labour on; spend, and be spent, Thy joy to do the Father’s will; It is the way the Master went; Should not the servant tread it still?”

I was blessed by the hymn and I was convicted in my heart that serving the Lord is the best thing that I can do with my life. However, the question whether God is calling me to the ministry has yet to be answered. During the church camp in June 2016 (a month after the mission trip), the Lord convicted my heart from James 4:14, “Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.” This verse made me realise that I was just wasting my time, strength and life by pursuing my earthly ambitions, and not really giving my all to God.

After the camp, it was still not clear to me whether God is calling me to the full-time ministry. I decided to approach Sis Carolyn Koshy to hear from her how she came to know of God’s calling for her life. She shared with me of her experiences and advised me to really seek the Lord, even to fast and pray, which I did. On June 12, 2016, Pastor Koshy preached about “Christ’s Tenets for the Ministry” from Matthew 10:7, “And as ye go, preach saying. The kingdom of heaven is at hand.” I believe God used that sermon to speak to me. After the service, I was rejoicing in the Lord with tears, praising God for His mercies in my life, even calling me, an unprofitable servant, into His sacred ministry! Praise the Lord!

Being very sure of what God wants me to do, I believe the Lord has graciously called me to teach children about God’s kingdom. And as I make this step to obey His call, my prayer is that God may enable me to fight a good fight of faith and serve the Master faithfully until I see Him face to face. Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, please uphold me in your prayers and remember me before the throne of grace. I cannot do this on my own. May all glory be to God.

With one voice, we must praise our God this day for the twenty-nine years of His gracious blessings upon Gethsemane B-P Church. Our unity in the Gospel, our worship of Him in one accord, our co-labouring in His kingdom, our solidarity in the defence of His truth, our mutual love and harmony are precious gifts of His Spirit that worketh among us. “In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: in whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit” (Ephesians 2:21- 22). Let us be thankful and continue to “stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel” (Philippians 1:27).

A Heavenly, Pleasant Unity

By the grace of God, Gethsemane has enjoyed a heavenly unity in her congregation, though made up of people of different races, languages, nations, social standings, educational backgrounds, etc. I call it “a heavenly unity” because the unity of our church is a foreshadow of the future gathering together of all the redeemed from all nations, races and languages around the throne of God to offer praise and worship. In Revelation 7:9-10, we read, “... Lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; and cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.”

Being the pastor of Gethsemane, I have been most blessed by our oneness in Christ. It was not a dormant, passive kind of oneness, but truly a very genuine, vibrant one. Having tasted the sweet blessings of a united congregation of very diverse backgrounds, I cannot be silent about it. I must testify of this joyous experience that the Spirit of God has graciously wrought in our church. “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!” (Psalm 133:1).

Blessings of Our Unity

Scripture not only urges churches to be united but also assures churches of the many blessings that will come to them when they are united in Christ for His glory. Many of those blessings are already seen in Gethsemane’s ministry, and they have made my pastoral ministry a very rich and exciting spiritual undertaking. The following are some of the major blessings that the Lord has bestowed upon Gethsemane as we serve Him in one spirit and with one mind:

• There has been unity of faith (doctrinal unity) in the church, just as Paul has written in Ephesians 4:4-6, “There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.” Church unity is non-existent when her members quarrel over biblical doctrines. The Lord has blessed our church with doctrinal unity. We have stood together during the period of testing of our confidence in God’s Word. We have affirmed that the Bible is inerrant and infallible forever, because it is inspired and preserved by God. We have one Lord, the Lord Jesus Christ; we have one faith (the Bible); and we function as His body, being strengthened and guided by His blessed Spirit.
• The doctrinal unity that holds us together in Christ also helps us grow unto greater maturity through the learning and practice of His Word. This blessing is mentioned in Ephesians 4:13, “Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ”.
• Our unity has led the church members to mutual ministering through the exercise of their spiritual gifts. This has resulted in brethren being loved, mutually helped and strengthened. This is yet another blessing of a united church mentioned in Ephesians 4:16, “From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.”
• Oneness in Christ has kept us together, beyond all our dissimilarities and diversities that could have made for a disunited people. 1 Corinthians 12:12- 14 speak of this blessing: “For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. For the body is not one member, but many.”
• Finally, the spiritual unity of our church helps us to turn our diversity into opportunity to spread the Gospel of Christ. Our ministries towards the exdrug addicts, Chinese ministry, Filipino ministry, Malayalam fellowship, foreign missions, etc. are the fruits of our unity that helped us to take advantage of the diverse backgrounds of our people. This is a true reflection of what Paul says in Philippians 1:27, “ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel”.

Caution about the Spirit of Disunity

Before I end this pastoral exhortation, I would like to caution all of us against the ploys of our adversary, the devil, who would certainly attempt to sow the seeds of discord to stop us advancing the glory of Christ through our unity. Let there be no bitterness and animosity that would disrupt our loving relationships. Let us be quick to forgive and restore one another if any offences occur among us.

“Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus: that ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God” (Romans 15:5-7).

The patriarch Abraham’s life was a life of great faith; hence he was regarded as a hero of faith. His faith has been the subject of scrutiny of believers of all ages, and even today he continues to be a pattern for all of us who are in this journey of faith. I would like to consider an elucidation of Abraham’s faith, which the Spirit of God recorded in Hebrews 6:15 – “And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.” It is a concise commentary on Abraham’s long wait for the fulfilment of God’s promise, “Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee” (Hebrews 6:14).

Have you noticed that Abraham’s remarkable faith is succinctly explained with a short phrase of just two words “patiently endured”? This phrase is the translation of one Greek word, makrothumeo, which is made up of two words – makros (meaning “long” or “far”) and thumeo (meaning “agitated”, “be angry”, etc.) So, the word means “bearing up under provocation”, “have long patience”, “bear long”, “suffer long”, “be longsuffering”, “patiently endure”, etc. The word depicts a man persevering patiently and bravely in the midst of difficulties and troubles. It also demonstrates patience in bearing the offences and injuries of others. So Abraham, the man of faith, was characterised by two essential virtues – patience and endurance. Let us now briefly consider those remarkable natures of heroic faith.

Patience

This word emphasises the longsuffering nature of faith. It is not a passive response to challenges and sufferings that come against one’s pursuit, but an active effort to bear with the difficulties while pressing on to the final destiny

Patience does not allow the man of faith to run out of enthusiasm and determination. Though it accepts pains and failures, it rebounds to keep the whole being in pursuit of the ultimate goal. In its attempts to rejuvenate the already battered and weary soul, it also has to bear additional pains and stress. O how important it is that our faith is willing to suffer long that we may not give up our faith and its final victory!

Normally, the journey of faith is long and arduous. The end may be nowhere in sight. Doubts from within then may rise to mock his own readiness. Soon others’ doubts may also hinder his progress. But by faith in the One who called him, he will bear all these and more. He is ready to suffer long as he eagerly awaits the fulfilment of God’s promises. As Romans 8:25 says, “But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.” His attitude is: “Well, I have suffered much and I am ready to suffer more if need be.” He will not allow his journey of faith to halt. He refuses to quit. This kind of patience that faith produces is a powerful active force that also generates “endurance”, the second essential element of faith.

Endurance

It gives “legs” to patience. It brings about progress in what God has called him to do. It refuses to stay down. It fights off dejection, pushes off sluggishness and walks over disappointments. Nothing stands in its way. If anything persists in stopping him, his endurance will sure to make him an overcomer.

ride to the end nor an easy grab of the ultimate. Instead, the enduring faith is all about an arduous and long effort in accomplishing all that God has set before us. In its pursuit, there is no hastiness. In its persistence, there is no murmuring. In its patience, there is no quitting.

The man of faith endures everything in his journey to make progress in the will of God. He endures in submission to God’s sovereignty. He endures in the hope of God’s good providence. He endures until he obtains the promise of God.

Patiently Endured

What do you get when these two amazing virtues are put together? A strong faith! A victorious faith! A heroic faith! A faith that conquers! As Abraham patiently endured, he obtained the promise.

Abraham was 75 years old when he departed from Haran (Genesis 12:4). When he was 100 years old, he still did not have a child. Genesis 17:17 records: “Then Abraham fell upon his face, and laughed, and said in his heart, Shall a child be born unto him that is an hundred years old? and shall Sarah, that is ninety years old, bear?” Yet, his faith rises above doubts and difficulties. He waited for the fulfilment of God’s promise. Abraham’s faith of having a child at such an advanced age of 100 was not a fancy of his own mind. He did not believe in the imagination or ideas of his own mind, but in what God has promised. It was not easy for Abraham to have confidence in what a human mind thinks is an impossibility.

We are mindful of Abraham’s failure when he listened to the counsel of his impatient wife Sarah. He took Hagar to bring forth a child. It was not to be the child of promise. God is so merciful to forgive Abraham and to renew his covenant again (Genesis 17). In this New Testament commendation of Abraham, God says nothing of His servant’s shortcoming. What a merciful God! Praise the Lord!

Now, think of the other aspect of God’s promise to Abraham – the land. When he was told to go to a far country, he had to overcome many hindrances from his father and relatives. Every time when a struggle emerges, he would ultimately get to the path which God has outlined. He exhibited attitudes and actions which endured delay and pressure.

Finally, Isaac was born. Then, Jacob. Then, Christ – the Seed by whom we all became Abraham’s children. Has he seen all that coming to pass? No! Nonetheless, Abraham did not faint, neither his faith waned! He saw Isaac, and he knew the rest of the truths of God’s covenant will unfold in His time. Abraham remained steadfast in faith.

He also “patiently endured” his journeying in this world until the age of 175 (Genesis 25:7). “By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: for he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God” (Hebrews 11:9-10). Abraham’s faith looked beyond the physical aspects of God’s covenant with him. From the earthly promised land, he looked intently for a heavenly land.

It is this exercise of hope unto the end which Scripture is calling all of us to emulate. They who professed to be Abraham’s children, let them manifest Abraham’s enduring faith.

“He obtained the promise” by instalments!

Having set out from among the heathen in accordance to God’s call, Abraham was blessed by the Lord with guidance, protection, promises, etc. God blessed his soul with special times of communion with Him, as well as peace, joy and victory. His eyes saw a son born of Sarah, according to God’s promise. But by faith, he saw Christ’s day, and was glad. Jesus testified, “Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad” (John 8:56). Having also reached the land of the Canaan and living there under God’s special providence, he yet again looked beyond to a heavenly city (cf. Hebrews 11:10). All these were an earnest or down payment of better things to come. Finally, he received a more complete blessing of God when he left this world of sin and sorrow, and departed to be with Christ, which is “far better” (Philippians 1:23). Abraham had now entered into the peace and joy of Paradise, having obtained the Heavenly Country (Hebrews 11:16).

Introduction

Fear can grip our hearts anytime. It can develop within us due to tragic circumstances, such as failures, sickness, urgent financial needs, the death of a dear one, etc. It can also emerge due to overwhelming responsibilities, anxiety over the future, etc. Whatever be the cause of fear, if we do not appropriately deal with our feelings of fear, it can cause considerable damage to our lives. Fear is a tyrant – who subdues our senses, emotions and even numbs our mind and body. Worst of all, it can cause us to act dishonourably and defiantly before the Lord. So, Scripture urges us to act decisively to expel fear from within us.

Our modern world, with all its immense research and medical advancement, has not been able to cure people of their phobias. There is a very long list of phobias that people suffer from. Modern society is a world of phobia and panic attacks. People are looking for cures, but to little avail. Many survive on anti-depressant pills and suchlike, but in the process becoming addicted to them!

We, Christians, have a great resource of wisdom in the Scriptures that can help us to deal with the fears of our hearts. We also have the gracious ministry of the Holy Spirit, the Divine Comforter, in our hearts. He would aid us with His wisdom and power if we yield to Him in faith and obedience.

Hence, Scripture exhorts us to overcome fear by yielding in faith to divine counsel of His Word, prayer and obedience. Let us therefore, with thanksgiving to God, meditate on the divine solutions that God’s Word offers us. Unusual troubles may encompass us, but we can overcome our sense of helplessness by trusting and obeying the counsels of God’s Word.

When Fear Grips You, Go to His Word

Many believers, who have experienced disturbing and heart-wrenching crises, found strength and joy in God’s Word to overcome their fears. The Bible provides us with wonderful promises of God to strengthen us to face our trials with a joyful and resolute spirit. Consider a few of those promises mentioned below:

“The LORD will give strength unto his people; the LORD will bless his people with peace” (Psalm 29:11). “He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: but they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint” (Isaiah 40:29-31).

“He would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man” (Ephesians 3:16).

Having found such wonderful promises of God’s empowerment to face life’s troubles and burdens, let us pray like the psalmist: “My soul melteth for heaviness: strengthen thou me according unto thy word” (Psalm 119:28). Just like the psalmist, we too must be deeply moved by God’s promises to pray with faith that God would strengthen us to face our deeply troubling circumstances and challenges.

When being opposed and ridiculed, the servant of the Lord waxed strong in God’s promises and prayed earnestly: “Let thy mercies come also unto me, O LORD, even thy salvation, according to thy word. So shall I have wherewith to answer him that reproacheth me: for I trust in thy word. And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth; for I have hoped in thy judgments. So shall I keep thy law continually for ever and ever” (Psalm 119:41-44). God’s Word was his answer to his enemies. He did not rely on his personal wisdom, scholarship, eloquence or riches to ward off the reproaches of men. The Word of God was his only and best weapon of defence and strength. He testified, “This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me” (Psalm 119:50).

Proverbs 3:21-26 tell us how we can overcome fear by having the right attitude towards God’s Word. “My son, let not them depart from thine eyes: keep sound wisdom and discretion: so shall they be life unto thy soul, and grace to thy neck. Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble. When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet. Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh. For the LORD shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken.”

When Fear Grips You, Yield to the Spirit of God

The natural thing to do when fear comes is to yield to all kinds of thoughts and emotions that arise in our hearts. But it is important to the child of God that he should not obey his own heart, but the voice of the Spirit of God who is within him. Scripture reminds all true believers that “God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7).

Fear comes into Christians’ hearts when they fail to be filled with the Spirit. In other words, it is when we listen to our own sinful lusts or feelings (doubts, anxieties, envy, jealousy, anger, bitterness, etc.) more than the assurances of the Spirit that we become fearful. Timothy was a child of God who has the Spirit of God within him. But when he allowed the intimidations and persecutions around him to affect his thoughts, he became timid and ashamed of the Christian witness. So, Paul reminded him that such a fearful approach to life and ministry is not of God, because God has made available to His children His power, love, and sound mind through His Spirit.

In Romans 8:15-16, Paul reminds us concerning the ministry of the Spirit within us: “For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God”. The Spirit of God will grant us understanding and assurances concerning our special relationship with God as His children. Like a frightened child is comforted and strengthened by the presence of his father, the Christian too is greatly encouraged by the ministry of the Spirit that sheds abroad God’s fatherly love in our hearts. We must then yield to the assuring voice and leading of the Spirit within us.

When the apostle Paul felt the fear about preaching the Gospel before men of intellect, he yielded to the Spirit of God. He says, “And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power” (1 Corinthians 2:3-4). Like Paul, we need to deal with our fears in the demands of the ministry by yielding to the power of the Spirit that works in us.

When Fear Grips You, Trust Him Even More

Like the psalmist, we too must confess in prayer, “What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee” (Psalm 56:3). When we are afraid, we must exchange fear with prayer of faith. When fear grips us, let us remember that the time has come to prove how genuinely and firmly we trust the Lord.

If we do not deal with fear, we may waste a lot of time worrying. It will drive us to senseless behaviours and actions. So, do not let fear remain. As soon as fear arises, you must exercise faith in God by communing with Him in prayer and taking hold of His promises.

Fearful times come to all. But how blessed it is that we can rejoice in God’s love and promises. So brethren, let us transform the moments of fear into times of faith, prayer and obedient actions.