MARANATHA BIBLE-PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

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1 Weekly Newsletter of MARANATHA MESSENGER Private Circulation Only MARANATHA BIBLE-PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 8 October 2017 Present every man perfect in Christ Jesus (Colossians 1:28) Address: 63 Cranwell Road, Singapore maranatha.bpc@pacific.net.sg Sunday School: 9.45 am Sunday English / Chinese Worship Service: am Sunday Chinese Worship Service: 7 pm Wednesday Prayer Meeting: 8.00 pm Worry Steals Our Joy Philippians 4: 6-8 Is worry a problem in your life? Have you ever laid awake the whole night worrying about something? Our English word worry comes from an Anglo-Saxon word that means to strangle. Worry certainly does strangle people physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Worry will steal the joy of your salvation. Proverbs 12:25 tells us that Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad. An anxious heart weighs a man down. And the heavy burden of anxiety offers no real benefits. Jesus highlighted this futility when he said, Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? (Matthew 6:27) The fact is, worry does not help us cope with tomorrow; it drains strength we need to cope today. William R. Inge says, Worry is interest paid on trouble before it is due. One interesting set of statistics indicates that there is nothing we can do about 70% of our worries : What We Worry About : 40% are things that will never happen. 30% are about the past which cannot be changed. 12% are about criticism by others, mostly untrue. 10% are about health, which gets worse with stress. 8% are about real problems that can be solved. As you can see, worry is really a waste of time. Not only so, it is actually bad for us. Do you know what worry does to us? Psychiatrists and doctors tell us that anxiety/worry destroys : 1. health - it produces psychosomatic and mental illnesses. 2. homes - panic / paranoia produces irresponsible behaviours and reactions. 3. hopes - one s dreams and accomplishments vanish. The physical and emotional damage of chronic anxiety is well known and well documented. Dr. Charles H. Mayo of the Mayo Clinic pointed out that worry affects circulation, the glands, the whole nervous system, and profoundly affects the heart. No wonder the Bible tells us Be anxious for nothing, and it tells us 350 times to fear not. We would be healthier both physically and emotionally if we heed the Word of God! 1

2 But beyond our physical well-being, there lies a more pressing spiritual reason. When God tells us in the Bible not to worry, it isn t a suggestion; it is a command. Failure to obey is sin. To worry is to tell God that we don t trust Him His sovereignty, power, love and wisdom. Worry short-circuits our relationship with God. It fixes our eyes on our situation rather than on our Saviour. Don t misunderstand. When Jesus told His disciples (and us) not to worry, he wasn t telling us there s nothing to be concerned about. It is important to distinguish between healthy concern and toxic worry : Concern Worry Involves a legitimate threat Is often unfounded Is specific (one thing) Is generalized (spreads to many things) Addresses the problem Obsesses about the problem Solves problems Creates more problems Looks to God for answer Looks to self or other people for answers Pastor and teacher Gary E. Gilley sums up the difference between worry and concern like this: Worry is allowing problems and distress to come between us and the heart of God. It is the view that God has somehow lost control of the situation and we cannot trust Him. A legitimate concern presses us closer to the heart of God and causes us to lean and trust on Him all the more. This distinction is helpful: concern draws us to God; worry pulls us from Him. We face legitimate concerns every day. But instead of fretting and worrying, we need to focus on discerning what we can do (with God s help) and what should be left entirely up to God. The Apostle Paul had every reason to worry as he sat in a Roman prison awaiting a possible death sentence, but he did not. How could Paul sustain joy when his circumstances were so rotten? The key is found in verse 5, the Lord is at hand. This is a truth that anchors everything else in this passage. Worry, anxiety and fretting will rob our joy every time. The solution is to remember that the Lord is at hand. If God is near, we can rejoice no matter how hard things get. Paul goes on to say, Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth (surpasses) all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:6). Paul s prescription to counter worry is simple: Turn your anxieties into petitions. This simple prescription has profound implications for how much joy we experience. We pray because we have a God that is big enough to solve all our problems. We pray because we have a God that is so powerful that nothing is outside of His sovereign control (Jeremiah 32:27). The point is, worry flees when we focus on God s adequacy. When we focus on the greatness and majesty of our God, then will we successfully overcome our fear and anxiety. The result: The peace of God, which passeth (surpasses) all understanding, will keep (guard) your hearts and your minds by Christ Jesus (Philippians4:7). God is urging His people to lay aside their worry and to cast all their cares upon Him (1 Peter 5:7). Beloved, will you pray? Or will you worry? May I urge you who labour and are heavy laden to come to the Lord Jesus and find rest for your souls (Matthew 11:28-30). Rev Dr Lim Yew Cheng Evangel BP Church Malaysia

3 Q & A Q : Can a Christian participate in Halloween or other horror events for fun and not be affected by the effects of these occultic activities? A : That is a good question. The growing interest in the occult is a phenomenon of our time, although occultic practices have also been around since the time of the Old Testament (Leviticus 19:26-30; Deuteronomy 18:9-14). There are many shops in town offering some kind of occultic services and many are seduced into it. According to Roger Berry in Christian Light Publications, "Historians trace the origin of Halloween and many of its customs back to the pre-christian Celtic people of Britain, Ireland, and France. Celtic religious leaders called druids sought wisdom through signs and omens. The Celts worshiped nature and the god Samhain, the lord of the dead and the prince of darkness. They believed Samhain controlled the cold and darkness of the winter months. The Celtic new year began November 1. The new year festival was meant to appease Samhain. Druids believed the spirits of all who had died the year before roamed the earth at the time of the feast of Samhain. They offered sacrifices to Samhain, built bonfires to ward off evil spirits, and consulted the powers of darkness to foretell the future. Sometimes the druids offered human sacrifices in attempts to appease their gods. Many Halloween customs having to do with fire, fortune-telling, ghosts, and good luck can be traced to Celtic beliefs. At Halloween, the ancient Celts set out food offerings to appease the spirits of the dead. Later, the Irish had a custom of going from house to house asking for food. These early trick-or-treaters would play tricks on people who had no food for them. Halloween is unmistakably pagan in its origin, its symbols, and in the ways people celebrate it." Can any thoughtful Christian give a Scriptural reason for observing a holiday so steeped in paganism and witchcraft? With the modern resurgence of witchcraft and Satan worshipers who openly claim Halloween as their holiday, how can God-honouring Christians observe it, even for fun for their children? Besides Halloween, Some of the more common forms of occultic activities today include astrology, tarot cards, yoga, horoscopes, geomancy, crystal gazing, fortune-telling, fantasy games like Dungeons and Dragons, Pokémon, Ouija board and Halloween. Some of which, are being advertised in some tourist related and night spots in Singapore for October events. These events or games or practices may seem innocent and harmless to some, but they can be a doorway to deception, leading to possible enslavement to sin and to the evil one. Interest in Occult Activities The New Age Movement is gaining ground with each passing day. The recent obsession over Pokemon Go makes augmented reality into a fun game but not without religious connotations and occultic entanglement. The malevolent season of Halloween falls in the same category. The word occult simply means hidden, implying hidden forces or knowledge. It covers a wide range of practices that include Spiritism, psychism, kabbalism (i.e. the Bible Code of Michael Drosnin), horror movies, necromancy, channeling, witchcraft, sorcery, telling the future from tarot cards, crystals and palmistry, astrology and similar occultic practices. Groups like the freemasons also dabble with occultic activities in their beliefs and practices, sometimes unknowingly. In our local book stores, there are books and games on how to cast spells and combat wizards and demons. These games are easily obtainable from most computer shops and online as well. Let parents and their children be forewarned of this before it is too late. Restraint, counsel and correction may be needed here for some with strong and clear direction in the word of God. 3

4 The Peril of Inquisitiveness Most people who get involved in the occult are either inquisitive or seeking something that God has not allowed us defiantly (for example, consulting the dead or playing with horror games). But the Word of God is not silent on this subject. Leviticus 19:26, 31 says, Ye shall not eat any thing with the blood: neither shall ye use enchantment, nor observe times.... Regard not them that have familiar spirits, neither seek after wizards, to be defiled by them: I am the LORD your God. Paul warns us to remove them in Acts 19:19 which says, Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men: and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver. The practice of the occult is strongly condemned in the Bible. It is an abomination to God and He will not leave unpunished those who indulge in these forbidden activities. Saul consulted the witch of Endor, and he was severely dealt with by God (1 Samuel 28:7 20). We need to remember that, The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law (Deuteronomy 29:29). This Scripture reminds us to resort only to the written Word of God (with the help of the Holy Spirit and godly men) when we need help; to consult the occult world would be defiance to God and it is asking for spiritual trouble Promise of Inner Healing? Popular New Age practices such as channeling, tarot cards, black magic, horror movies ads games yoga, hypnotic music, transcendental meditation (TM), going to haunted houses, mindfulness seminars (i.e. psychology) and some non-medical alternative forms of treatment (Reiki), have mesmerized many who are in search of spiritual healing and contentment. Instead of seeking the living and true God, many are misled into trusting the counterfeit, thinking that it will satisfy them and bring inner healing. The Word of God warns believers not to have anything to do with these diabolical practices. In Deuteronomy 18:9 12, Moses says, When thou art come into the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not learn to do after the abominations of those nations. There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch, Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer. For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD: and because of these abominations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee. Age of Spiritual Delusion The New Testament has the strong emphasis on personal separation from sin the world and the occult (2 Corinthians 6:14-18, Isaiah 47:13). One of the things clearly condemned in Galatians 5:20 is witchcraft or sorcery. Ephesians 6:12 warns of the rulers of the darkness of this world. Simon Magnus, who was dabbling with the occult, was severely admonished (Acts 8:9 11), as were Elymas the magician (Acts 13:8) and the medium of Philippi (Acts 16:16 18). This is an age of spiritual deception and occultic delusion. The powers of darkness are so influential that even today they can deceive the people with impressive signs and wonders (Matthew 24:24). For example, having been to Bangalore for 19 times we know that certain gurus in India (for example, Sai Baba who died a few years ago) teach yoga and meditation and apparently can perform supernatural acts is to impress their followers, and seem to be able to know their thoughts in advance. We should not be alarmed at such phenomenon, because we have been forewarned by our Lord Jesus Christ about false prophets doing great signs and wonders... [to] deceive (Matthew 24:24 25). We need to be vigilant for involvement in the occult can only lead to spiritual bondage and fear, and expose gullible 4

5 people to demonic obsession and possession or for some even severe depression or contracting a kind of mental illness. The Believer and the Occult The ultimate end for those who persist in these abominable practices is eternal condemnation in hell; the Apostle John tells us that those excluded from heaven will include sorcerers or those who dabble with the occult (Revelation 22:15). But what about Christians who are involved in the occult? Let us be clear; a true child of God should not disobey God although He may not be demon-possessed, for the Holy Spirit indwells in him or her. Remember 1 John 4:4, Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. It is possible, however, that believers can be negatively influenced by demons who can cause problems and steal over peace if we dabble with it. To guard against these attacks of the Evil one, we are told to submit to God and resist the Devil, who will then flee from us (1 Peter 4:8 9; James 4:7). Christians are also told to be strong and to put on the full Armour of God always, to withstand the wiles of the Devil (Ephesians 6:10 18). If a believer persists in playing or participating in occultic activities like halloween which has a diabolical background, he may be compromised and render himself vulnerable and God may discipline him or her in due time if there is no repentance (as He does to all true sons; Hebrews 12:5 11), and such discipline may well have temporal consequences to turn him back on the right path. The only way of deliverance from the occult is to renounce it totally and through true repentance of our sins and the belief and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, to have nothing to do with it again. Romans 1:16 says, For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth. Conclusion Christ came to die for our sins and to break the bondage of sin and stronghold of the Evil one. Only a lasting relationship with Jesus as our Lord and Saviour coupled with saving faith and repentance of sins can protect us. Read and Obey His Word and submit to His will, and pray and seek Him constantly. Paul says flee these things and follow after righteousness, godliness, truth, with those who call on God out of a pure heart (2 Timothy 2:22; 1 Timothy 6:11 12). Jesus Christ is the only way to eternal life and there is no other (John 14:6). Let us seek Him now while there is still breath in our nostrils and test all things and keep away from all appearance of evil (1 Thessalonians 5:21, 22) Hope this helps. Jack Sin Thanksgiving Thank you for your work with the Maranatha Messenger and your Ministry around the world. May God bless in this month when we celebrate the 500th anniversary of the Reformation. We started to pray for the great work in Country X and India. It is good to hear about your ministry there. Our programme for this month in Bolivia : On 22 nd afternoon, we will have the same work with video in our church then we will preach about 5 Solas of the Reformation. On 29th with the Bible believers church in our area will have a special service for 500th anniversary or the reformation. The churches rented a gymnasium. They hope to join 1500 in attendance. We live in La Paz city, It is a city with 11 thousands feet of high altitude. 3 million of inhabitants. People here speaks Spanish and Aymara. Pray for our ministry as we are only one BPC in this big city. In the 5

past until July 2015 we worked with Presbyterian Missionary Union. God made good things. Actually I am working as an independent BPC in Bolivia. Your fellowship in the ministry is welcome.

Quisbert Bible Presbyterian Church in Bolivia South America ++++++++++ Thanksgiving We thank the Lord that the gate of the Immanuel Children Development Center was fixed last week.

6 past until July 2015 we worked with Presbyterian Missionary Union. God made good things. Actually I am working as an independent BPC in Bolivia. Your fellowship in the ministry is welcome. May God bless your plans in the Missionary area. Rev David E. Quisbert Bible Presbyterian Church in Bolivia South America Thanksgiving We thank the Lord that the gate of the Immanuel Children Development Center was fixed last week. Thank you so much for your and encouragement. I will be doing my best for the children as I now have more time than last year due to the heavy work of the Bible translation. Now our Bible has also completed its printing and will be shipped to Thailand, and then into Myanmar. We are very thankful for your prayer help for this most important work that the EPC is doing. I will inform you when I have detailed information on our Bible. Our missionaries in Rakhine State are also doing very well, but the problem is more people are struggling for daily regular work. So our missionaries are distributing rice bags to those families who are facing food shortage, and this is a privilege to share the love of Christ as well. Rev Salai Tha Luai Immanuel Evangelical Presbyterian Church Yangon, Myanmar

7 Theme for the Quarter : Knowing, Serving And Glorifying the Supremacy Of Christ In The Church (Studies in the Book of Colossians) English Worship Service Rev Dr Jack Sin speaks on The Intercessory Prayer Of Paul (Scripture Text : Colossians 1:9-22; Responsive Reading : Matthew 6:9-34) [End of MM] 7

HALLOWEEN, ALLHALLOWS EVE OR HALLOWMASS, SABBATHSCHOOL LESSON

HALLOWEEN, ALLHALLOWS EVE OR HALLOWMASS, SABBATHSCHOOL LESSON Say - Welcome to Sabbath School. Let s bow our head and ask God for understanding as we study today. In just a few days, the celebration of