Dear Church,

Praise God for His mercies and grace. We have much to thank God for. Looking at the world and its troubles, we cannot but thank God for every protection and provision we have received. Let none of us take it for granted!

At the recent Church Camp, we considered how an end-time Christian should prepare himself to live in an end-time situation. On Sunday, we were reminded of how urgent the times were and we really need to know how to survive victoriously in spite of hard times. I just want us to revise the Scriptures and remind ourselves what Lord Jesus said about these end-
times.

"Take heed no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, "I am the Christ" and will deceive many. And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. SEE THAT YOU ARE NOT TROUBLED. For all these things must come to pass but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. ALL THESE ARE THE BEGINNING OF SORROWS." Matt 24:4-8.

Not all who say, "Lord, Lord" will enter the Kingdom of God but only those who do His will. Please check that you are doing His will. Many things are good things, but we must choose the God-things. Let us meditate on the above familiar verses seriously and let the Holy Spirit speak to you. Consider what we are told here?..

1. Are we deceived?

I am not talking of non-Christians but to the Christian. Are you caught up in a teaching that robs you of being an effective witness for the Lord? Are we pursuing a doctrine that sounds so righteous and holy but is actually a deception? Does it cater to your ego, your pride, limit God, cast out love for the lost, trap you in a holy huddle, or place a man in the place of the Lord Jesus? If you answer yes to any of these questions, take care. You are in danger of deception, if not already deceived! It is with sadness we hear that a number of our former acquaintances are trapped in queer doctrines, following lob-sided or extreme teachings or withdrawn into a self-righteous huddle.

2. Wars and rumors of wars.

This is such a tragic thing. No one can prosper when war overturns a country. Civil unrest may not be a war but it still upsets the stability of a country and causes loss. No land can cultivate food or mine its resources when there is anarchy, wars, revolt and so forth. Pray Christians, that we may minimize such awful troubles in our land.

3. Nations against nations.

Hatred is a sickness that will prey on those who harbor it. It is true of individuals and it is true of families and countries. This includes ethnic hatred, jealousies and envy that can result in ethnic riots, ethnic cleansing and genocides as we see in Rwanda, Sudan, Armenia, Bosnia, the Holocaust, Myanmar and racial riots in our own country. God told us to rise up in spiritual warfare against the demons released from hell to cause such havoc. Thank God for the Prayer Groups doing this. But every Christian should lend their voice against the enemy of our soul for the good of our families, our land and our own self. Do not be complacent!

4. Famines and pestilences are natural results of wars and natural disasters.

Only as you walk close to God, you are under His wings. Ps. 91:1 

What Must We Do? 

1. See that your heart is not troubled.

That means we do not let fear and worry trouble you as if you have no God and no hope! If Jesus tells you not to be troubled, just obey Him. He slept through the storm while His disciples panicked. Now we are in a bigger storm but Jesus will see us through.

2. Learn to draw near to God and have a close relationship with Him

The Lord God of Elijah is also our God. Dwell in the secret place of the Lord, where you draw not only on His peace but also His authority and power that will carry you through hard times with peace and joy.

3. Do not set our affections on the things on earth.

These things will pass away and will give us a false security. Pursue after the things that are eternal. The things that can be seen are temporal.

4. Sow into the Kingdom of God.

Use mammon to advance God?s work and not our own selfish wants. Take care of His Kingdom and He will take care of yours.

5. Watch your motives.

God looks at the heart of man, not his works. See that you have a pure heart before Him.

6. Live simple lives.

Lavish worldly lifestyles do not just have a monetary price tag, but also hidden costs in terms of relationships, priorities, and responsibilities and perhaps for some, even eternity. Reconsider your life-style seriously.

7. Be actively involved in serving God in any way you can.

Do not be like the lazy servant whom Jesus cast out into outer darkness!

8. Sow peace and unity.

Grow the Fruit of the Spirit in your life. Bring peace to your church and not strife, division, false accusations and jealousy. Pastors should not be wasting time trying to appease petty quarrels and accusations. Be like Nehemiah who just told his accusers he was too busy doing God?s work to come down to talk about false accusations! Do not be so quick to be offended but be quick to forgive and think the best. Then get on with the work. People with too much time on their hands are the devil?s workshop!

9. Seek to grow spiritually and to activate the spiritual gifts God has given you.

The days are coming when we HAVE to use the gifts of the Spirit to evangelize and survive. Put into practice what you learnt at the Camp.

10. Guard your family, especially the youths, so that all will be saved.

This is just a brief reminder to you, beloved, so that we know how to live in the days that Jesus describes as ?The beginning of sorrows?. When the tribulation comes, it will be worse. If we all hunger and thirst for Him, He will visit and inhabit us with His Glory. Then the manifestation of His Presence will be here to assure and comfort us ?.. angelic visitations, gold and silver showered on us, precious gems of His love, miracles of healing and deliverance from persecutors and so forth.

How we long for Jesus to establish His kingdom! Now satan, the ruler of this world system, has full sway. God has withdrawn His hand bit by bit over a world that is rejecting His love and salvation. Satan is wreaking his anger and hatred for even his own subjects. Those who will turn to the Lord Jesus, even now it is not too late!

Come, Lord Jesus!


Ps Khim and Ps Ang

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