Dear Family of God,

I read about the story of a man who was deaf yet he faithfully attended church every week. A cynic commented, ?What is the use of your going to church when you cannot hear anything??
?I just want the devil to know on whose side I am on!? he answered with a smile.

This man has no doubts about his commitment and how he can establish that witness. Most of us have our faculties intact and many things to thank God for. I trust that we are more committed to God than this dear old saint, in making a strong statement about it by assembling with His family weekly! You may not like me and I may not like you BUT once saved into God?s family we are bound to love one another! Tall order? It is God?s order! ?Love one another? is a command and it is possible when we see others through God?s eyes.

Come to church regularly. Why?

1. To Follow Jesus' Example

He attended the Synagogue regularly and He participated in its activities. He preached and discussed subjects with both the scholars and common people. Did Jesus have many things to be offended about? He sure did! They criticized Him; they were jealous of Him; they tried to trap Him. These were the Leaders, mind you! If that happened to you, I do not think you will be in the church for very long! But the common people loved Him. They were so hungry for His spiritual food because He taught them the SPIRIT of the Law, not the letter of the Law.

In Matt 16:11 Jesus told His disciple to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees. They have misrepresented God by their legalism, hypocrisy and pride. They were full of unbelief. Yet Jesus continued to worship in these synagogues. It is no excuse to skip church. No one received as much wrong accusations and manipulation as Jesus did. But He went to church not for any reason except to bring God?s light and love to a love-starved people. 



2. To Obey God's Command

The Bible says we are not to forsake the assembling of ourselves. Tithe a day a week for the Lord?s work and worship. It is for our own good because worshiping together in a spirit of love and harmony brings so much healing to our body, soul and spirit! Dr Jay Kessler gave several reasons. Though church may not be perfect yet 

a) It is the only organization that still deals with issues like eternity, salvation, death, judgment, grace, purpose in life, heaven and hell.

b) It adds value and dignity to human life. We live in a secular culture that contributes to our sense of worthlessness. The church counteracts this negative message by preaching God?s love and acceptance, the forgiveness of sins and the power to be an overcomer.

c) It provides a moral and spiritual compass in a society that has lost its values when it revises, resists and contradicts God?s absolutes. But the Church stands on the bedrock of God?s Word that delays the world from decay and lawlessness. It is the salt that preserves.

d) It is where you find genuine compassion, healing and community life where all believers, no matter what social status, are knitted together as believers with equal access to our Father.

e) Unlike other institutions, it is a living organism with a history of generating the most lasting, unselfish, essential, courageous endeavours on earth, like missions, schools, hospitals, feeding programs, rehab centers and orphanages?. not to mention Christian inspired battles against slavery, injustice, corruption and such social ills.

Let the church take back its authority in Christ to command such changes both by prayer and in action! 



3. To pass on God's Heritage to the next generation

God commands us to teach our children about God and to teach them the precepts of God that will ensure their salvation and blessings. Consider?
a) The number of fatherless children. They need to know our Father?s love
b) The despair of godless people. They have no hope unless the church shows them there is hope.
c) The rise in suicide. Despair is a terrible cloud that drives so many teens to take their lives. If you are not in a church, where will you bring them to receive the Lord Jesus and new life in Him?
And there are lots more reasons such as ..?.

4. To Learn God's Word. 
5. To serve in unity with brothers and sisters.
6. To be a witness to a world of darkness
7. To bring corporate worship and praise to the Lord.
8. To test and shape our loyalty, character, motives and attitudes.



And so forth?.

But most of all it is to ensure that we arrive in heaven safely after life's journey is ended!!

"For what is a man profited if he gains the whole world and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?" Matt 16:26

Beloved of the Lord, August is the time of the year when we fast and pray 40 days till our National day on the 31st. For this reason, let us not miss gathering together whenever we can to uphold one another, to pray for our nation (that is going through a time of shaking), for our church and ourselves. When the time of darkness comes, let us be a light to the nation. Remember what God has told us to do.

"Arise, shine for your light has come! And the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. For behold the darkness shall cover the earth And deep darkness the people; BUT the LORD will arise over you And His glory shall be seen upon you. The Gentiles shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising" Isaiah 60:1-2

Church, remember to fast and pray these 40 days* And then gather as a church family to praise and worship God, to intercede for one another and to pray for Malaysia that it may receive God?s righteousness, justice, mercy and grace. You and I have a part to play to see that our prayer is heard and answered.

God be with you, beloved of the Lord.

In His Service



Ps Khim and Ps Ang

* HOW TO FAST


Absolute Fast ? Having neither food nor water. Recommended for 1 day only.

Total Fast ? Abstaining from solid food for three days taking only water.
Partial Fast ? Abstaining from solid food for an extended part of the day, fasting from sunrise to sundown. Take only water. Break fast with a simple meal.
1-Meal Fast ? Fasting one full meal a day sacrificing breakfast, lunch or dinner.
Daniel Fast ? Abstaining from meats and other favourite delicacies taking only small portions of fresh vegetables, fruit and juices.

Besides fasting from food, fast from things that distract you ? such as
TV, movies, Internet, computer games; or things that would hurt feelings and
relationships such as careless words or thoughtless actions or both.

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