Brethren, the upcoming Campaign for Christ will be a success only when brethren work together to invite their friends and family members to the meetings, and also to share with them the truth concerning God’s love for man.

Some have asked: “what do we need to do for the Campaign?” There are many things we can do to contribute towards the success of the Gospel Campaign for Christ. Here are some suggestions:-

1. The most important things that each of us can do is to “pray and sow the seed of the Word of God”. In Acts 6, when the church was faced with the challenge of having to ensure that its benevolent work was done properly, the apostles decided that the brethren chose seven able men to help serve the tables, while they “gave themselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”(Acts 6:4). “Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith.”(Acts 6:7). The number of disciples multiplied greatly because the church took care of the problem of benevolence while not being distracted from the practice of prayer and the preaching of the Word. In 1 Cor 3:6, the apostle Paul said that they were all fellow workers with God in that “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase.” But the Gospel which is the power of God unto salvation (Rom 1:16) has to be preached so that God can give the increase. Prayer is critical as we need to rely on God’s blessings and guidance to ensure that all will work out well.

2. Plan to be early at each night’s meeting. As some of you may be aware, the traffic condition in the evenings in the KL, PJ & Subang Jaya is quite challenging. So, one would need to consciously plan to leave for the place early so as to avoid the traffic jam or to allow sufficient time to get there. We are planning to rent a bus for those from Klang who may want to leave together from the premises of the Klang building at a time to be agreed (tentatively, at 7pm each night). However, we would only rent the bus if there is sufficient number of people who are planning to travel in the bus, to and from the venue. We will do a head count on Sunday.

3.  Start inviting your friends and family members to the meetings. The flyers should be ready soon for your distribution. Copies of the flyers which you may use to invite your friends and family members via the internet are already ready. Ask the church office if for some reason you have not received them as yet.

4. Volunteer to serve in the various capacities in order to make the evening a good one for our visitors/guests. We will need ushers, traffic directors, as well as those who will sit with guests to help them as they turn the Scriptures or sing the hymns or answer any questions that they may have.

5. Plan to attend the Morning Bible Class sessions that will be held on each day of the meeting. Bro John Moore and his youth minister Cory will be sharing lessons in the mornings of Friday and Saturday. These sessions will edify us as give us an opportunity to fellowship with brethren who have traveled to join us in the work. There will also be opportunities for us to go out together to visit and study with various people. So, let’s plan to take time off from our busy schedule for these activities.

There are of course, many more things that each one of us can do. But let’s start by praying for the meeting, for the safe arrival of the speaker, and our invitation to our friends and family members. Let’s encourage our fellow brethren from near and far to come and join in the effort. The six Klang Valley congregations have budgeted RM50,000 for this Campaign and we should make sure that the funds are well spent such that everyone of our friends and family members as well as people in the community have the opportunity to hear the gospel preached to them. Let’s not waste it because of our pre-occupation with other things in our lives.

The venue for the Klang Valley Campaign for Christ is now confirmed at the Lecture Theatre of Taylor’s University, Lakeside in Sunway. Brethren, let’s get going and start inviting our friends and family members to come and hear three very important messages that will be delivered by bro John Moore.

To give you a better understanding of the subject matter that will be addressed by bro John Moore, appended here below are the titles and a brief synopsis of his messages. With this information, we should all be better equipped to discuss with our friends and family members on why they should make a special effort to come and listen to these messages.

“Why do I feel the way I do?” and “You are in good company”

• No one wants to feel bad, sad, unhappy, or depressed so why do I feel this way
• Why can’t I feel good or like I used to?
• Understanding the bible’s perspective   on human behavior
• Factors contributing to our emotionality
•  Bible Characters who struggled with anxiety, worry, depression, crisis etc.

“How can I rejoice when I feel so bad?”

• Examining the essence of the command to always rejoice (Philippians 4:4)
• What does it really mean to be happy?
• Proffering the reasons as to why a Christian can always rejoice and not let worry consume us (Pray Right, Think Right, Live Right).
• How Paul was able to rejoice even in adverse circumstances.

“If the Lord is with us, why has all of this happened to me?

• Beginning with Gideon’s statement.
• Why are good people allowed to suffer?
• Doesn’t God care about me?
• Exploring the problem and rationale for human suffering.
• Considering God’s servant Job

From the above synopsis, bro John Moore will be addressing very pertinent issues of our daily lives such as dealing with our feelings of worry and anxieties, how one can rejoice in spite of adversities, and the issue of suffering. These subjects are very relevant to our friends and family members.

Have we come across some friends who are struggling with uncertainties and anxieties? How do they cope with these feelings? The answer cannot be found in some man-made philosophies or psychological theories. Our Creator who made man with feelings knows our feelings and has shown us how we can handle them properly: The Bible assures us in Heb 4:15-16: “For we have not a high priest that cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but one that hath been in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore draw near with boldness unto the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy, and may find grace to help us in time of need.”

Do we know some who do not seem to be able to be cheerful? They seem always to be complaining about the various problems they face in life. On the other hand there are some who are always cheerful even though they have to deal with many issues in their lives. How do we explain the different dispositions? The Bible says in 1Thess 5:16-18: “Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus to you.” How can one rejoice always in every circumstance? Bro John Moore will share with us how we can rejoice always.

Have we ever been afflicted by sickness and sufferings? Do we sometimes wonder why we are afflicted and how may we cope with such situations in our lives? Will man on earth be ever free from sickness and sufferings? Where is God when we are afflicted and suffering? Has God abandoned us during such times?

The Bible provides the answers to man’s problems in this age of crisis.  Let’s invite our friends and family members to this upcoming Campaign for Christ. We are not seeking to impose our ideas on them. We are merely seeking to share with them the good news about the God who created us and who loved us to such an extent that He gave His only begotten Son so that we can be saved – and He has provided us the WAY to live on earth with heaven as our eternal HOME when we end our journey here on earth (John 14:1-6). This the good news that we want to share with our friends.

From Thursday, March 8, 2012 to Saturday, March 10, 2012, six churches of Christ in the Klang Valley will be working together in a Gospel Campaign with bro John Moore (who is the narrator in the DVD, Search For Truth) as the featured speaker. The theme of the Gospel Campaign is “Christ for the Age of Crisis”. We encourage every member to do their best to invite their friends to the Campaign.

The lyrics of a familiar hymn start with these words: “Troublesome times are here; filling men’s hearts with fear”.  In John 16:33, Jesus said to His disciples: “In the world you will have tribulation.” During Job’s period of suffering from intense loss – in almost all areas of his life, Job made this observation in Job 14:1-2: “Man who is born of woman is of few days and full of trouble. He comes forth like a flower and fades away; He flees like a shadow and does not continue.”

The world we live in certainly fits the words of that hymn and reflects the truth of what Jesus & Job said.

However, the Bible also declares the wonderful news in John 3:16-17: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” The apostle Paul declared in Rom 8:31-32: “If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?”

Whilst it is a fact that in this world, we will have troubles, yet we should not lose hope because God has declared His love for us – not only in paying the price of allowing His Son to die on the cross in order to secure our redemption, but also in promising to continue to bless, guide as well as strengthen us as we go through the challenges of this life.

So, the Bible comforts us: “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus…casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”  So we may boldly say: “The LORD is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?” …Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Phil 4:6-7; 1 Peter 5:7-8; Heb 13:5-6; 4:16).

For those who place their trust in God, we have the Lord as our Shepherd and Guide. We can share the comfort words of the Psalmist in Psalms 23:-

“The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.”

More importantly, for those who trust in the God who created the universe, we have Hope in His Promise that there is life after death: “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die.”(John 11:25-26). Death is not the end for those who trust in God; it is a transition to eternal life in heaven.

So Jesus assures us not to be too troubled by this Age of Crisis:-

“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. And where I go you know, and the way you know.” Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:1-6).

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials…” (1 Peter 1:3-6).

The Bible urges us to “lay hold of the hope set before us. This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast…” (Heb 6:18-19).

We need to share the good news of this hope with our friends and family members. Let us make plans to take leave from our busy secular employment to work together to invite them to hear this good news that will be powerfully proclaimed by bro John Moore from March 8 to March 10, 2012.

There was an incidence that happened in Jesus’ life as recorded in Mark 11:12-14 where we read, “Now the next day, when they had come out from Bethany, He was hungry. And seeing from afar a fig tree having leaves, He went to see if perhaps He would find something on it. And when He came to it, He found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. In response Jesus said to it, “Let no one eat fruit from you ever again.” And His disciples heard it.”

There are three lessons that we can learn from this simple short passage.

Firstly, we learn that Jesus was very human, i.e. He could feel hunger. Also, He had an expectation that when hungry and seeing something akin to food, He went towards it. Such a behavior is expected of us when we are hungry where we will go looking for food, perhaps scrounging around our kitchen cabinet or going out to the nearest food stall to fill our empty stomach.

Clearly, in this instance Jesus was able to feel and react according to the basic human behavior. We are thus reminded of Hebrews 4:15, “For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.”   Brethren, this is very comforting because this shows that our God is a God who had walked the earth for 33 years, faced the same feelings and suffering that we go through daily in our rat race. And this is where we can truly, in our times of distress and pain which we will surely face, boldly go to Him for help, mercy and grace. Christ then acts as both our High Priest seeking forgiveness on our part and also as an Advocate (1 John 2:1)

Secondly, we learnt from this fig tree, that despite having leaves, it is just not enough for the Master. Christ was expecting a fruit-bearing fig tree. We can sympathize with the fig tree by saying it provided shade for travelers and passers-by so that they faint not, just as in the case of Jonah. Hence why the need to be so unmerciful and destroy it?

The lesson here for us Christians is that we may be like the fig tree, actively involved in church activities, busy here and there. So much so that we grow into a beautiful fig tree with beautiful leaves where from a far distance all may see us and presume us to be fruitful. Just as the leaves camouflage the tree, our busy and bountiful activities camouflage our barrenness. There is a great need, for us and ME, to check whether you and I, are busy in so-called church work and activities which may not truly be the primary/main work and activities that the Lord requires of us.

Finally, the gospel writer stated that it was not the season for figs. Perhaps, we may sympathize and agree with this statement, as it was just not possible to have figs when it is not the season. Did not the scripture say that there is a time for everything (Eccl 3:1-8), even for battle (2 Sam 11:1)?

Hence, we may give the excuse that we are not ready to produce yet. I will be ready when it is in season. It will do us good to read the parable in Luke 13:6-9, where it was stated that a grace period of at least two years with fertilization and care, was given to the fig tree to bear fruit before being cut down. Therefore, God is clearly looking for fruit and not leaves!!!

One wonders of the consequence if Ananias (in Acts 9:10-17) had given that same excuse and not gone to Saul and baptized him? Perhaps the only Ananias that we will ever read of shall be of Acts 5:1-10. Nor will we ever know that God provides even in the desert, had Philip remained in Samaria and not gone down to the desert road of Gaza.

So brethren, there are opportunities for us to bear fruits. It’s just that sometimes opportunity comes at an inopportune time when we are pressed with concern for other things. And this is where we need to look onto Jesus who was very human and yet able to do the things required of Him yet without sinning.

No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. (1 Cor 10:13)

In the Chinese culture in particular, the word “福” is synonymous with blessings and happiness. It is more so during festive seasons or happy occasions that the word “ 福” is being mentioned over and over again. Even during death, if the deceased is aged, the phrase “福寿全归” is being used in the obituary, meaning “what a blessing to die at such an old age.”

I am sure many of you enjoy Chinese food. Normally when you are invited to attend a Chinese eight course dinner, the very first dish is called “五福临门” which literally means “five blessings arrive at your door step.”  We take our chopsticks and finish the dish as quickly as possible not because we want the five blessings to be upon us but because we are famished as Chinese wedding dinner always start an hour late.

What are the five blessings OR 5 福 that the Chinese or for that matter, the world seek for?

1)富- Riches

2)康- Health

3)宁- Peace

4)寿- Longevity

5)善终  – Good end to life

But it is not enough just to seek the five blessings with the last being a good end to our earthly life. The word of God reminds us to seek things which are above while we are still alive and it is insufficient just to hope for a good end to our earthly life. What about our spiritual life when this earthly life is over? As such, we have been reminded to set our minds on things above.

“Set your mind on things above, not on things of the earth.” (Col. 3:2)

Why are we to seek things which are above? Because things which can be seen with our eyes are only temporary. Things which are above i.e. spiritual things are eternal in nature.

“While we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.” (2 Cor. 4:18)

Brethren, let’s not forget that as Christians, we have more than five blessings, in fact we have ALL spiritual blessings which are in Christ.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which have blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ.” (Eph. 1:3)

What sort of spiritual blessings do we have in Christ?

Read Ephesians 1:3–23 to see the blessings that are made available to those who are part of Christ’s body, the church. The Christian enjoy the following:

• heavenly blessings that far surpass
• earthly blessings (v. 3)
• the blessing of being God’s chosen possession of great value and worth (v. 4)
• the blessing of being an adopted child of God (vv. 5, 6)
• the blessing of having redemption from sins—complete forgiveness (v. 7)
• the blessing of possessing wisdom and understanding of spiritual truths (vv. 8, 17, 18)
• the blessing of possessing the revelation of God’s plan for fellowship with other
• Christians (vv. 9, 10)
• the blessing of the inheritance of heaven’s riches (vv. 11, 12)
• the blessing of being able to hear the truth i.e. the gospel which results in the salvation of our soul and eternal redemption (vv. 13,14)
• the blessing of being able to have fellowship with brethren of like faith and also being remembered by concerned brethren through prayers (vv. 15, 16)
• the blessing of spiritual strength from God the Father (v. 19)
• the blessing of having the resurrected saviour, Jesus Christ who now sits in heavenly places and not earthly places! (vv. 20.23)

Therefore, let us not lose sight of the spiritual blessings which are in Christ as all these take place after  one has learnt the truth of God’s gospel, believes that truth, confesses his or her willingness to submit to the Lord’s commands, is immersed for the remission of sins, and continues to walk faithfully and truthfully as a Christian.

“Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers” (3 Jn. 2). Have a blessed and prosperous year ahead!

Being a Christian for more than ten years and counting, I have seen many brethren who were once very active become passive and subsequently falling away or simply remaining sedentary in their spiritual life. When these brethren were active, we can sense and feel the enthusiasm flowing in their veins, figuratively speaking. They were involved in and attended most of the activities planned by the church. This is what a Christian ought to do in the sight of the Lord.

We are like a lamp. The function of a lamp is to light the darkness for people around us to see. As Christians, our light is God’s word. Psalms 119:105 ‘Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path’. Being a lamp, when lighted we will definitely shine and let others see. However, if the lamp is hidden under the basket, who will be able to see the light? When no one is able to see the light, how can they see our good works? When they cannot see our good works, how can people know about our works for our Lord? That is the problem with the basket.

In our Christian race, we do not appreciate ‘basket-placers.’ These people are the ones who wash away the enthusiasm of  Christians to become lukewarm – and we know what the Bible says about lukewarm Christians. In my opinion, basket-placers are those who are prone to criticizing people rather than encouraging people; especially in doing the Lord’s work and also organizing activities that are for the benefits of other fellow Christians and non-Christians amongst us. They are the ones who are being judgmental on every single thing; including minute things. Fellow Christians ought to support and motivate each other; not pull each other down by criticisms which do not offer any solution. Please do not get me wrong. Criticisms can be constructive when they are meant to bring others to a higher level of spiritual maturity while negative criticisms tear up a person for the things they have done.

In the work of the Lord, there ought to be constructive criticism; not negative criticism. As we are all one in the Lord’s body, we should support each other in whatever work we do for the Lord. I encourage all of us to thank the organizers of various church activities as they had toiled so hard in order for the activities to be successful. Having organized many different events; both local and national level, it is always heartwarming when people pat you on your back and offer words of encouragement rather than words of negativity.

The objective of this article is to remind us as Christians that we ought not to be basket-placers; especially to enthusiastic Christians. Rather we should be encouraged by their enthusiasm and work they do to bring fellow Christians together; arranging fellowship sessions and trips for each other to have fun. It saddens me whenever these people are put down, even for minor issues. What saddens me more is when this group of people began to lose their faith and fall away due to these setbacks put up by their own brethren.

Let us change this attitude and continue to motivate each other to keep on, keeping on in the Lord’s work. Ask yourself this: Are you a lamp or a basket placer? Wishing all of us a great 2012 to move forward to newer heights in our work for the Lord.

 “No one, when he has lit a lamp, puts it in a secret place or under a basket, but on a lampstand, that those who come in may see the light.” Luke 11:33

Many live as if they have all the time in the world to make things right with God before they pass on from this world or to devote more of their lives to the service of God before they pass on to meet the Lord. The reality is: no one knows about tomorrow: Let’s consider what the Bible says:-

Prov 27:1: “Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth.”

James 4:13-15: “Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit”; whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that.”

1 Peter 1:24-25: “All flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of the grass. The grass withers, and its flower falls away, But the word of the LORD endures forever.”

Heb 9:27: “And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment,”

Luke 12:15-21: “And He said to them, “Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.” Then He spoke a parable to them, saying: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded plentifully. And he thought within himself, saying, ‘What shall I do, since I have no room to store my crops?’ So he said, ‘I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build greater, and there I will store all my crops and my goods. And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry.” ‘ But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?’ So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.”

The truth is that we do not know what tomorrow will bring for us. In fact there is no guarantee that we will still be here if and when tomorrow comes. The Bible declares in James 4:14: “You do not know what will happen tomorrow!” So, it is important for us to know who holds tomorrow and who holds our hands – as expressed in the popular hymn.

Many people struggle with all of their heart, soul and mind to be financially independent so that they can retire in comfort believing that all their future needs will be taken care of by what they have stored up. Unfortunately, as the parable of the rich man in Luke 12:15-21 tells us, at any point in time God can call us home. Firstly, all that we have stored up will no longer be of any use to us anymore as we would no longer be on earth! But more importantly, all that we have stored up is of no use to us where we are going – when we go and meet our Creator when the question is whether we have been rich towards God? Rich towards God in terms of how much time, money and effort we have spent for His service and for His glory. The Bible says to those who have been blessed with possessions on earth in 1 Tim 6:18-19: “Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.” The key phrase is that of “storing up for ourselves a good foundation for the time to come – to lay hold of eternal life!” Brethren and friends, are we doing that TODAY? Remember that we do not have any promise of tomorrow. So, we need to start TODAY and keep on “storing up for our future” – to lay hold on eternal life which our Lord has promised to those who trust and obey Him.

Brethren, when are we going to START serving the Lord with all of our strength, heart and soul?

The Psalmist declares in Psalms 90:9-12: “For all our days have passed away in Your wrath; We finish our years like a sigh. The days of our lives are seventy years; And if by reason of strength they are eighty years, Yet their boast is only labor and sorrow; For it is soon cut off, and we fly away. Who knows the power of Your anger? For as the fear of You, so is Your wrath. So teach us to number our days, That we may gain a heart of wisdom.”

We do not really have much time in this world to do God’s Will even if God permits some of us to live up to more than 80 years. We need to number our days so that we may gain a heart of wisdom to live righteously and faithfully before Him.

Brethren, God has entrusted the Word of Reconciliation to us:- 2 Cor 5:18-20: “Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God.”

And God wants us to preach that Word in season and out of season: 2 Tim 4:2: “Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.” So long as it is NOW, it is THE ACCEPTED TIME for SALVATION – for NOW is the DAY of SALVATION! Will we preach the Gospel NOW instead of waiting for a more convenient time?

In Luke 16:27-31 the Bible tells us of the unfortunate situation withy the rich man who realized too late that his brothers needed to be saved from place of torment when he said Father Abraham, ‘I beg you therefore, father, that you would send him to my father’s house, for I have five brothers, that he may testify to them, lest they also come to this place of torment.’ Abraham said to him, ‘They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.’ And he said, ‘No, father Abraham; but if one goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ But he said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead.’ ”

If you have not obeyed the Gospel as stated in Mark 16:16: “He who believes and is baptized will be saved;” what are you waiting for? Are you waiting for someone to rise from the dead to come and warn you about the fires of hell? The Bible tells us that the Scriptures or the inspired Word of God (i.e. Moses and the prophets) are sufficient for one to be warned of what awaits us after this life. If we reject the testimony of the Word of God, then one will not be persuaded even if someone rises from the dead. Christ in fact as risen from the dead – yet many still refuse to believe. What do you need to convince you to believe in what the Bible says?

Let us no longer delay our obedience to God as well as our service to Him – while NOW is the Day of Salvation.

As one year passes, another year arrives, giving us yet another opportunity to review what we have accomplished in the past year and also to plan for our activities for the New Year.  In so doing it is important that we consider what our Lord expects of us in the coming year.

As we contemplate our past, present and our future, we will do well to remember the warning of our Lord in Matt 16: 26: “For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” The status of our soul is of paramount importance. Amidst the many concerns of this world it is easy for us to become so engaged in the affairs of this life that we lose sight of what is truly important.  Consider that Steve Job gave the world the incredible iPhone and iPad, etc but during the past year, he has also passed on from this world.  The Bible declares in Heb 9:27: “And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment.” We will not live in this world forever.  So we need to be prepared for the Day of Judgement wherein each of us will need to give an account of our lives as the Bible declared from long ago in Ecc 12:13-14: “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man’s all. For God will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, whether good or evil.”

We need to focus on the spiritual as stated in 2 Cor 4:16-18: “Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.”

So, as we consider the things which are not seen, we need to ask ourselves whether we are fighting the good fight of faith (I Tim 6:12).  In 2 Tim 4:6-8, the apostle Paul in acknowledging the eventuality of his passing from this life expressed his feeling in tis manner: “For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.”

Brethren, are we still fighting the good fight of faith?  According to Eph 6:12 our fight is not “against flesh and blood”. It is a spiritual battle.  In 2 Cor 10:3-5 the Bible says: “we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ…”

The fight requires us to use God’s weapon of the Word of God, which is the sword of the Spirit (Eph 6:17), It has to do with using the Scriptures to cast down arguments that are contrary to the Word of God.  This was how Apollos helped the church at Achaia in Acts 18: 27-28: “when he arrived, he greatly helped those who had believed through grace; for he vigorously refuted the Jews publicly, showing from the Scriptures that Jesus is the Christ.” In Titus 1:9-14, the elders are expected to be those who are “holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict.For there are many insubordinate, both idle talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole households, teaching things which they ought not, for the sake of dishonest gain. ..^.Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith, not giving heed to Jewish fables and commandments of men who turn from the truth.”

Brethren, the fight requires us to “HOLD FAST the FAITHFUL WORD as we have been taught that we may be able to BY SOUND DOCTRINE, both to exhort and convict those who CONTRADICT.

Our fight is against those who CONTRADICT the faithful word of God that we have been taught and the weapons for our fight is to use SOUND DOCTRINE.

Unfortunately, in this fight, some are merely spectators in the battle for the soul, heart and mind of the people. They are not involved personally in the battle. They are merely observers. In Matt 12:30, Jesus said: “he who does not gather with Me scatters abroad.” We cannot be merely critics and observers; we need to be in the battle itself. Some may have become battle shy. In other words, they prefer not to preach the gospel lest they upset some people.  Others may have become battle weary – in that they have grown tired of preaching the Word of God. Whatever may be our situation; let us make a renewed effort to rise up and fight the good fight of faith as is expected of us by our Lord (I Tim 6:12).

Brethren, our spiritual battle requires us to preach the Word so that souls may be set free from the clutches of sin as they hear the Word of God and obey the truth as regards salvation (John 8:31-34). In Rom 1:16 the apostle Paul declared:  “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.” The marching order of our Lord is stated in Mark 16:15-16: “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved;” We must continue to preach the gospel so that souls may be saved from their sins.

We must also preach the Word so that the faith of the brethren may be strengthened – Acts 20:32: “So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.” As the Lord Himself said in Matt 4:4:  “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.”   We are expected to desire the word of God so that we may grow in our faith. Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy and all evil speaking, as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby,if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious. (1 Pet 2:1-3)

We must preach the Word so that brethren remain sound in the faith and not drift away into sin and error: Titus 1:13-14: “Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith, not giving heed to Jewish fables and commandments of men who turn from the truth.”  The Bible warns us thus in Heb 2:1: “Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away.”  Brethren, we need to preach the Word of God so that brethren will not DRIFT AWAY into erroneous doctrines that are man-made and may have semblance of human wisdom: Col 2:23: “These things indeed have an appearance of wisdom in self-imposed religion.” Never underestimate the ability of erroneous teaching to lead brethren away from the once for all delivered faith.

In 2 Tim 4:1-5, the apostle Paul stated thus: “I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.”

Brethren, let us take the opportunity in this New Year to realign our lives with God’s Word and to renew our commitment to God’s Word, to search the Scriptures daily & diligently to know and understand God’s Will, handling it accurately (Acts 17:11; 2 Tim 2:15; Rom 12:1,2; 2 Pet 3:16-18)) so that we may walk in the light of His Word so as to please Him in all things, and then to preach His Word with all our might in order to win souls to the obedience to the truth so that they may be saved (2 Tim 2:23-26).

May the church in Klang conduct itself in 2012 in such a way that it be viewed truly as the pillar and ground of the truth (I Tim 3:15).

The year 2011 has been a year that saw the death of several members of the church and loved ones.  The list of Christians taken ill is longer than in previous years.  Add to that civil unrest, wars in several regions around the world and our faith in God could be challenged.

In the book of Job, we learned of two ways a man and his wife could react and respond to trials.  Job lost everything he had: his children, his wealth and he was smitten with boils from the sole of his feet to the crown of his head and taunted by his wife.  Not only did he lose everything he had, but he was clinging dearly on to his life.

Most will agree with Job’s wife who said, “Do you still hold fast to your integrity? Curse (renounce) God and die.”  Job’s response was, “You speak as one of the foolish women speaks. Shall we indeed accept good from God, and shall we not accept adversity?” In all this Job did not sin with his lips. (Job. 2:7-10).

God approved of Job’s response. ^“Then the LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil?”  (Job 1:8)

Again in Job 2:3,  “Then the LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil? And still he holds fast to his integrity, although you incited Me against him, to destroy him without cause.”

What a great honour to be trusted by God. Job was a man who was perfect, respectful of God and refrained from evil and held fast to his integrity and faith in God (Job 1:1 KJV).  Was Job rich and wealthy?  Yes, he was.  He had seven sons and three daughters.  His substance was “seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred yoke of oxen, five hundred female donkeys, and a very large household, so that this man was the greatest of all the people of the East.” Job 1:3.  By today’s standard, he’s a billionaire.

Was Job healthy? Certainly he was.  He was feasting with his children every day and he rose early in the morning (Job 1:4-5).  Sick men do not feast but observe special diets and rest on their back most of the time.  What a great encouragement and example we can learn from Job. What about Job’s wife’s reaction and response to suffering?  Job called her a foolish woman (Job 2:10).

As Christians we ought to follow Job’s example and not his wife’s,  trusting that God will deliver us, knowing that He allow us to go through trials and suffering to prove our faith.

We need to heed the reminder in 1 Peter 1:6-9, “In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, ⁷ that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, ⁸ whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, ⁹ receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls.”

When the trials and suffering get tough and unbearable as in the case of Job, the holy scriptures encourage us to “gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; ¹⁴ as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; ¹⁵ but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct.” 1 Peter 1:13-15.

^“And if you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear; ¹⁸ knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, ¹⁹ but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.”  1 Peter 1:17-19.

Often times our faith waiver because we are human, of flesh and blood.  But we can be encouraged by God’s love for us and how He made “Jesus …a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone.  ¹⁰ For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. ¹¹ For both He who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified are all of one, for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren.” Heb. 2:9-11.

So what then is the purpose of our suffering and is it worth going through it?  Paul the apostle told us of the promise of our future glory in Romans 8:18-39.

^“18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. ¹⁹ For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. ²⁰ For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; ²¹ because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.

²² For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. ²³ Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body. ²⁴ For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? ²⁵ But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.

²⁶ Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. ²⁷ Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

²⁸ And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. ²⁹ For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. ³⁰ Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.

³¹ What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? ³² He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? ³³ Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. ³⁴ Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. ³⁵ Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? ³⁶ As it is written:

“For Your sake we are killed all day long;

We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.”

37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. 38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

So brethren, how should a Christian respond to suffering?  If God is for us, who can be against us?  Would we  not be more than conquerors through Him who loves us?

God created man in His image. (Gen 1:26)  Man was created with a physical body and a spiritual soul having an intellect, conscience and emotions. In fact, man was so wonderfully made that the Psalmist said in Psalms 139:14 “I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.” Indeed in addition to this, man was given a free will to decide what he wants do and will do with accountability (Ecclesiates 11:9). His decisions and actions will be made or influenced by his thoughts and emotions.

Ideally all these attributes (i.e. intellect, conscience and emotions) should help one to make a right decision or response, yet this is not always the case. Sometimes our thinking process is weak, sometimes we allow our emotions to cloud our judgment and override proper behaviour. Therefore it is necessary to look to God and His word for guidance. Jeremiah 10: 23 says that “it is not in man who walks to direct his own steps.” Proverbs 14:12 : “There is a way that seems right to man but it’s end is the way of death.”

All faculties guided by the Word would be functioning at its best, obtaining the ideal results. Emotions often move us more than mere reasoning. Today we take a look at several emotions that affect our thinking and response. 1 John 3:11-15 tells us of one very strong negative emotion : hate.

Hate is a very powerful emotion. Strong’s dictionary describes it as: “to dislike intensely or passionately.” Vines expository dictionary gives the following description:

a. malicious or unjustifiable feeling toward innocent or by mutual animosity (ex. Matt 10:22,Luke 6:22)

b. a right feeling of aversion (dislike) from what is evil. (Heb. 1:9)

c. a relative preference of one thing over another by way of expression, either aversion from or disregard for, the claims of one person or thing relatively to those of another (Matt 6:24) and Luke 16:13 as to impossibility of serving two masters, Luke 14:26 as to claims of parent relatively to those of Christ.

(Note: The word hate in these verses give us the meaning of love in different degrees, loving one person more than another and not hate per se)

Positive emotions are strong drivers to compel us to do good, while negative emotions make us do otherwise. Hate is a very strong emotion that can be deadly in its full proportion. In its negative form, Hate in a person’s heart can drive him to become a murderer. Love in a person’s heart can compel him to give his life for a brother.

During the time of Jesus, some people said that hate that is directed at enemies is justifiable (Matt 5:43). Others may have hate at certain groups of society or even among family members. In fact you may even hate someone without a cause (Psalms 69:4a: “They that hate me without a cause are more than the hairs of mine head.”)

The first sin recorded in Genesis 3 was a result of being deceived and of succumbing to the lust of the eyes and the lust of the flesh. The second sin recorded started with emotions which later became uncontrolled. It came from anger (Gen 4:5) and a fallen countenance (downcast spirit, discouragement) that turned into jealousy and hate (1 John 3:12-15), and finally resulted in the first murder in the world.

We should be careful of our anger and our discouragement. God warned Cain that sin was knocking at the door if he let these negative emotions rule. No wonder in James 1:19, we are exhorted “to be slow to wrath” because further in verse 20 it says  “For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.”

It seems true for most of the time our anger is very seldom like that exhibited of Christ, a righteous anger. For most, it has been when we are hurt and not when God’s name is hurt or taken in vain. In Ephesians 4:26 we are exhorted to “be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath.” One of the ways to control our anger is to limit its time.

Discouragement is very real for those who fail but we should not give up. In fact we can take comfort from the second chance that was given to Cain by God when He encouraged Cain that “if thou doest well, shall not thou be accepted?” (Gen 4:7) If Cain had followed God’s instruction, he would be accepted also.

At the same time we should also heed God’s warning that if we let these negative emotions carry on, sin is knocking at our door and we may give it opportunity to come in. Negative emotions cultivate or attract more negative emotions. Beware of how Cain’s emotions evolved from anger and discouragement to jealousy and hate. And when it became full blown, he became a murderer. We should never let hate reside in our heart unless it is hate for iniquity (Heb 1:9).

We should always try to replace our negative emotions with positive ones as soon as possible. We can do this when we accept God’s encouragement and correction rather than resent Him for His correction because He cares for us and wants what is best for us. (Heb 12: 5-6).

Prayer is a good way to deal with our emotions. Fear and anxiety can be changed to peace of mind (Phil 4:6-7). Hate or anger can be changed to compassion when we consider our own shortcomings before God (Matt 18: 22-35, Luke 18:10-14). Just as our emotions can influence our thinking, our thoughts when properly directed can influence our emotions.

Philippians 4:8 “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” When we think of positive things we become filled with positive emotions.

Thank God for creating us with emotions, to feel, to be touched, to experience life like no other creature on earth can. May we always be aware of the strength of these emotions and may we glorify God with our lives.