Why Worry?

WHY WORRY ?

Dear Children,

Some of us get cold sweat, become stressed up, anxious and worried when school examination approaches. We worry that we are not able to answer the questions and we are pressured to achieve. Worry is not a good sign of our spiritual state. To worry is to distrust God’s sovereign power, love and care over us.

What Worry Can Do to Us

Worrying eats up a person physically and spiritually. Proverbs 17:22 says, “A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.” Worrying certainly suffocates and paralyses us even to the extent of squeezing the life out of us. In fact, the word worry is derived from the old English wyrgan, which meant “to strangle.”

Physically, whenever we feel that things in life are out of control, we develop symptoms like sleep disturbances, back, shoulder and neck pains, migraines, irritable bowels, heart palpitation, asthma, skin problems, chest pain, sweaty palms or hands, flu, cold, infections and depression.

Spiritually, worry takes away joy in our communion with God and our faith seems to fizzle out. The godly David himself was not spared of worries when he cried out, “I am troubled; I am bowed down greatly; I go mourning all the day long” (Psalm 38:6).

Why Do We Worry
Man is not able to trust God because we are living in a sin-cursed earth and the personal relationship with God is broken. A sinner is an enemy of God (Rom 5:10). Sin has formed a barrier between man and God. The ability to trust God to meet our needs is restored only when we believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as our personal Saviour because He Himself has broken down the barrier and made peace with us (Eph 2:14-16).

What it Means to God When We Worry
We Doubt His Ability
So we are now reconciled with the omnipotent, omniscient and omnipresent God. We are adopted by Him as His children (Rom 8:15). We are eternally secure with a place in heaven. Why do we still doubt God’s sovereignty, unconditional love and care for us? Isn’t it embarrassing that we are no better than unbelievers in this? (Matthew 6:32).

We Accuse Him of Being a Liar
When we worry, we are saying that God is a liar. We doubt the Word of God. When we remember promises of God like Psalms 55:22; 121; Isaiah 41:10, Matthew 6:24-33; 2 Corinthians 12:9; 1 Peter 5:7, Hebrews 13:5,6 but do not gain any comfort from them for our soul, we have to repent of our deep distrust of our heavenly Father and cry out before Him, “Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief!” (Mark 9:24).

We Deny that He Cares
We sometimes have the mindset that when good things happen to us, God is on the throne but when bad things strike us, God is off the throne. We have to come to terms with the truth that God is always on the throne no matter what circumstances we face in our daily life. In 1 Cor 10:13, we are told, “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” This assures us that in actual reality when temptations or trials overtake us, God is not surprised by any turn of events and He is in full control

How to Overcome Our Worrying

Heed Jesus’ Command
What we need to do is to heed what Jesus commanded us in Matthew 6, “to take no thought”. Jesus commands us to stop worrying, to stop being distracted and unstable, and to lose not our focus on Him.

Build Our Confidence in God
In Matthew 6:34 Jesus commands us to stop worrying for tomorrow. God will take care of tomorrow for us. It is better for us not to know what tomorrow will bring, it is far much better to know Who holds tomorrow. We are to trust solely in God to help us meet the temptations, trials, opportunities and struggles we have for today and tomorrow (Proverbs 3:5,6).

Make Melodies in Our Hearts
By all means we have to make melody in our hearts, “Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Ephesians 5:19-20). Let your heart be uplifted with songs that are gentle reminders of God’s goodness and security in your life. This will help to reaffirm your faith in God’s love for you.

Pray with a Surrendered and Thankful Heart
We have to put matters in the right perspective, as the apostle Paul exhorts us in Philippians 4:6, “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” When worries arise in our hearts, and we become anxious for the things to be settled, remember this: God may want us to wait but He never wants us to worry. Thus, what we need to do is to pray and surrender our cares to Him as what apostle Peter exhorted us, “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you” 1 Peter 5:7.

Conclusion

Exams may seem like an approaching storm to you, but remember, with Christ in the vessel we can smile at the storm. So trust in our faithful God and He will keep you in perfect peace that passes all understanding. (Philippians 4:6,7; Isaiah 26:3-4). Praying for you…

A Clip That Will Encourage You to Press On...

Are you saved?

Are You Saved?

Dear children,

Have you ever thought of where will you be when you die today? Do not deceive yourself that you are invincible and death is seventy or eighty years away from you. The newspapers have reported many cases of children dying at a tender age. Death comes to all people whether they are young or old. For the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23). In Hebrews 9:27 it is stated very clearly that…” it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.”

True believers in Christ will be found in heaven. Jesus declared in John 14:6 “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” Those who reject Jesus—the eternal gift of life—are condemned already in eternal hell (John 3:17). Hell is a frightening and torturous place. Jesus mentioned in Matthew 8:12 that hell is a place of “outer darkness” where there “shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

God does not want us to face eternal death in hell, He desires us to be with Him in heaven. Ezekiel 18:23 “Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? saith the Lord GOD: and not that he should return from his ways, and live?”

In the same vein, the apostle Peter also said in 2 Peter 3:9, “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”

Are you disobeying God’s command for you to be saved?

Have you ever considered that although you may be a son, daughter, brother, sister, a student leaders or a church goer; you are a sinner. For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God (Romans 6:23a, 3:23). Even the apostle Paul confessed to be the chief of all sinners (1 Timothy 1:15).

Therefore, do not think that you are guaranteed a place in heaven because you are born in a Christian family, going to church, reading the Bible, singing Christian songs or being baptized when you were an infant.

The scribes Pharisees were very righteous people. They were very good in the Word of God. They follow closely the laws of God. But what did Jesus say about them? “For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:20

The devils know God too (James 2:19) and satan himself could quote Scriptures (Matthew 4) but they are all going to hell.

Our sin has separated us from God. We are in total misery without Him. But God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son (Jesus Christ) whosoever believe in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. God loves us. He gave us a Saviour to save us from sin.

Do not reject repeatedly God’s love for you. Turn away from your sins, confess them before God. Ask Him to forgive you and wash you clean by the blood of Christ. Then, you will no more face the prospect of going to suffer in hell forever.

Jesus keeps us out of hell and He has prepared a place for us in Heaven, John 14:1-3 Let not your heart be troubled: ye 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 unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

Where will you be when you die? May your reply be, “Once I close my eyes to this world, I will open them to see my Jesus face to face in heaven.”

My Unique Attendance Card

The young men are equally creative. The splashes of colours and artistic penciled drawings have won admiration from teachers and friends!

Well done!

These are the attendance cards designed by the young ladies in JWS. You have done well!

Why Scripture Memory

WHY MUST I MEMORIZE SCRIPTURES?

Dear children,

When it comes to memorization of Bible verses, some of you would complain, show indifference or treat it is just a mental excercise to train your minds. Having either of these attitudes does not please God. When it comes to Bible verse memorization time, you need to have a very God centred attitude and you must know the reasons why.

Firstly, when we memorize the Bible verses, always remember we are memorizing not man’s words but the very words of God. God speaks to us in the Bible. Therefore, it is a privilege to have God’s Word to fill and saturate our minds and hearts. The Bible is inspired by our Lord without error. It is infallible because it does not mislead, deceive or disappoint. God in 2 Timothy 3:16, 2 Peter 1:21 and Hebrews 4:12 has declared:

2 Tim 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.

2 Peter 1:21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

Heb 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Secondly, to memorize verses is a commandment from God. This is found in Deuteronomy 6:6 And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart (see Deuteronomy 11:18).

Thirdly, storing God’s Word in our hearts will cause us to resist temptations, grow in Christ and be like Him. The Psalmist in Psalm 119:11 says, Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. When we pursue holiness, we will be more like Christ and less like the world. The world hates us, Satan hates us. Everyday is a spiritual battle against the evil one. We cannot live each day without the “Sword” in our hand. This “Sword” is none other than the Word of God stored in our hearts (Ephesians 6:17).

Fourthly, memorizing the Bible verses would help us to walk in God’s ways and not our ways. The Psalmist was glad that travelling in this world of darkness, he has God’s Word as a lamp to his feet and a light to his path (Psalm 119:105).

Fifthly, memorization of God’s Word will help us to be channels of blessings to those around us who are discouraged, weak, sick or in need of help and comfort. The promises and assurance of God’s faithfulness and love spontaneously spoken to the comfortless would have an remarkable power on them. It is like what Proverbs 25:11 says: A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.

Sixthly, memorization of God’s Word will come in handy when we need to defend the faith and share the gospel to others as what the apostle Peter said in 1 Peter 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

Last but not least, memorization of the Scriptureswill help us to draw close to God and enjoy His presence wherever we are; we may be travelling, exercising, resting or waiting for someone or reading.

Conclusion

Knowing the reasons why we must memorize God’s Word will certainly help us to see the tremendous spiritual value in it. I pray that you will have the right and proper attitude towards memorization of Scriptures. As His children, we have the Holy Spirit who indwells in us to teach, lead and guide us.
Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. Psalm 1:1-2

Why Do We Sing as Christians?

Dear children,

Have you ever wondered why we sing when we come for worship services or Sunday School?

We tend to mumble the words or refuse to sing when it comes to singing praises to God. We commit this dishonourable act against God because we do not understand the reasons why we sing. The reasons why we sing during worship services and Sunday School are:

1. We are commanded to sing by God

In Zephaniah 3:14, Ephesians 5:18-20 and Colossians 3:16, we see the Lord’s command to us to sing. There are 50 direct commands from God to sing to Him out of the 368 references in the OT and NT (343 and 25 respectively).

When the world was created, the angels sang. We know of this fact in Job 38:6-7 Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? or who laid the corner stone thereof;7 When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?

Moreover, at Jesus birth, the angels sang: Luke 2:12-14 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

When we return to heaven, the angels and us will be singing: Rev 19:1-2 And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto the Lord our God:

Singing is an important part of our worship to God.

2. It is a Response to God’s Love

Every Sunday, we have been so familiar with the order of worship so much so that we have taken no thought of what we are doing. Singing is part of the integral part of worship. It is an outward response of our inward praise and gratitude to His love for us. In Hebrews 13:15 we are reminded that our lips are a sacrifice to God: By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.

3. It is because God is the audience.

When we sing, the audience is neither us nor the one sitting next to us. We sing solely to God not to entertain Him but to exalt Him. Ephesians 5:19 and Colossians 3:16 admonish us to sing to the Lord and with thanksgiving in our hearts to Him (Eph 5; Col 3).

4. It is because God delivered us from sin

We sing because we are saved and made righteous before God. God Himself puts a song in our mouths, "a song of praise to our God" (Ps 40:3). Because we have salvation we sing songs of salvation. "Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth. Sing to the Lord, bless His name; proclaim good tidings of His salvation from day to day" (Ps 96:1-2; cf. 149:1).

5. It is because God Himself sings.

In Zephaniah 3:17, it is said that God Himself sings: The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.

Conclusion

The reasons above for why we sing as Christians are certainly not exhaustive. Nevertheless we must know that God commands and desires His children to sing to Him.

Thus, are we singing as we should from our hearts to God with thanksgiving? Are they just empty words? Are they sacrifices of praise from our lips? Or do we just honor the Lord with our lips but our hearts are far away from Him? Matthew 15:7-9 Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me.

Worship

WORSHIP

Dear children,

Our God is no ordinary king but the King of kings and Lord of lords (1 Timothy 6:15; Revelation 17:14; 19:16), how could we treat then Him so casually and full of disrespect?

What is Worship?

When we come to church to worship, let us know what is worship. Worship is submitting ourselves to God. When we worship God we are:

a. To acknowledge His holiness.
b. To be fed with His truth.
c. To praise His beauty.
d. To open our heart to His love.
e. To surrender of our will to His purpose.
f. To let God know that He is indeed worthy of our worship.

How Should We Worship God?

From Monday to Saturday, we received blessings after blessings from God. When it comes to Sunday, it is our turn to give to God our heartfelt praise and thanksgiving. Giving without the heart is not giving at all. When we worship God, it must be from the heart.

Preparation for Sunday Worship begins when that worship service ended. We begin to reflect on the Bible lessons we learnt and ask God to help us to live it out in our lives. Daily, we continue to worship God in doing our quiet time—reading the Bible and praying to God.

A day or a few days before Sunday, we prepare the clothes we are to wear. In response to God’s love and grace upon us, we prepare our offerings and tithes lovingly to offer to God.

On Saturday night, we are to shun TV programmes or computer games or MSN chats that will rob us of an eight-hour sleep. We sleep early so that our body would be fresh to worship God and our minds and hearts are alert and in tune to singing and God’s Word. We do not want to worship Him with a tired body.

At the worship service, we prepare our hearts in silent praying and with an attitude of fear and reverence. We have to humbly come before God acknowledging and confessing our sins and asking Him to cleanse us that the meditation of our hearts and the words from our mouth would be accepted in His sight.

We sing clearly and audibly from our heart knowing that God is our audience and not men.

When we read God’s Word during responsive reading, we read clearly and with understanding enjoying every word of the Bible.

We give our attention to the preaching of God’s Word and if possible take down lessons we can learn that would help us in our lives.

We refrain from talking among ourselves or be a distraction to others.

Conclusion

Remember that it is God that we are worshipping. Let us every worship service we worship Him with reverence and fear. Let us not be reproved by Jesus in Matthew 15:8-9 “This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me….”