BUMBLEBEE Library-on-Wheels

Many housing estates outside the city centre do not enjoy access to books, toys and games that are so common to more privileged homes. This is why Malaysian CARE came up with the idea of an educational resource centre on wheels, bringing resources and educational activities to marginalized children.

Called BUMBLEBEE, the mobile resource centre is a modified 1-ton truck that is designed to bring a little sunshine into the lives of these children, and indirectly promote community development.

BUMBLEBEE makes monthly visits to designated low-cost neighbourhoods in the Klang Valley where our partners already have an ongoing outreach programme. We open up our door flaps, unpack our gear, spread out outdoor waterproof floormats and welcome children to help themselves to our stock of books and goodies.

Together with volunteers, we supervise simple educational activities, read-alouds, or simply let the children do as they please. We provide ‘space’ for relationship-building, life-enriching lessons and encourage collaboration to build friendships.

HERE’S HOW YOU CAN HELP!

We need volunteers (older teens and adults) who will spend time with the children and befriend them. You will assist to engage these children in simple games and educational activities. Volunteers provide supervision and ensure that order is maintained, and help is available when necessary.

More importantly, your presence will go a long way to build friendships and improve community relations among people of different races, especially among those who are culturally different from us.

WHERE’S THE ACTION?

Presently, Malaysian Care sends BUMBLEBEE to several low-cost locations.

In Setapak, BUMBLEBEE visits PPR Sri Semarak, Air Panas on the third Saturday monthly, starting at 4pm, where Hope Evangelical Free Church (Hope EFC) hosts English Language activities and a Reading Room. There are plans to increase visits to nearby PPRs as and when we have enough volunteers.

HOW MUCH TIME DO I COMMIT AND DO I NEED TRAINING? 

Each visit is no more than 2 hours long. We will also advise that you attend a short briefing session to be aware of the dynamics of our activities and understand cultural sensitivities of the community we operate in.

WANT TO VOLUNTEER?

We are constantly looking for people who want to make a difference in our society. Here's a simple way you can do  it.

Make yourself available. Make yourself present. Make an effort to interact. Make time to make friends. Along the way, you will build bridges and promote community neighbourliness among people of all walks of life, especially those who are more vulnerable and less privileged.

Please contact Sook Ching (0126779884) 
or Pei Yin (0126515818)

Sermon Series: Epistle of James 1:19-27

Sunday Worship Message by David Tan
Click on SlideShare to get a full view.

James 1v19 27 hearing and doing from David Tan

Sabah churches move off secession clamour

17 Sept 2014

(Malaysiakini)

Sabah churches today distanced themselves from the ongoing clamour on secession from Peninsular Malaysia, but they want the federal government to address a litany of grievances that have been raised over the years.

Key issues they want tackled are religious freedom and human rights, which we outlined in  in a Malaysia Day message termed as their “Kota Kinabalu Declaration”.

The clamour for Sabah and Sarawak to pull out of Malaysia has refused to die down, especially in social media, and grew louder in the run-up to the yesterday’s Malaysia Day celebrationss despite threats by the authorities to use draconian laws on them, including the Sedition Act.

Quoting Scriptures, the 31-paragraph statement declared that as “A triple-braided rope is not easily broken” (Ecclesiastes 4:12b), therefore, “we declare our commitment to defend the sovereignty of Malaysia as a federation composed of Sabah, Sarawak and Malaya.”

It emphasised that the Federation of Malaysia comprises Sabah, Sarawak and the Federation of Malaya as equal partners when the new nation state was formed on Sept 16, 1963.
Alluding to the threat of Ketuanan Melayu or Malay supremacy by extreme right wing elements, the statement pointed out that the Federal Constitution is the supreme law of the nation and all citizens have equal protection under the law. Any other form of supremacy is clearly ultra vires the constitution and unacceptable.

The Kota Kinabalu Declaration was issued today, at the end of a three-day revival meeting themed “Moving into a New Season” together with a “Mitabang Mamangkis” which is the climax of all the 21 Mamangkis gatherings held at various towns in Sabah over the past two years.

A war cry and victory song

Mamangkis is the war cry and victory song from the old head-hunting days of the Sarawak natives, but has been contextualised as the clarion call for Christian revival. Mitabang is the call for believers to close ranks and to help one another.

The Kota Kinabalu Declaration is signed by Sabah Council of Churches president Bishop Thomas Tsen, Commission on Sabah Affairs of the National Evangelical Christian Fellowship (NECF) chairperson Rev Jerry Dusing, Perpaduan Anak Negeri (PAN) Sabah or Native Solidarity chairperson Pastor Esther Golingi, and by Pastors Steven Choon and Daniel Chin of the Kota Kinabalu Pastors Fellowship.

The declaration states that under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and in recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world.

Article 18 states that everyone has the freedom of thought, conscience and religion. This right includes either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his or her religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance and the freedom to change one’s religion.

It cited Article 19 of the UN Declaration as declaring that everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression. This right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.

The senior clergymen said, “The proliferation of oppressive laws that violate our fundamental civil liberties continues unabated, the legislative, executive and the judiciary must take urgent measures to remove such offensive laws and selective prosecutions and to restore just, fair, and democratic principles of governance as envisaged by the framers of our constitution and our founding fathers.”

On the position of Native Christians, the statement said, “By the will of the Sovereign Lord, more than two-thirds of the Christian population is made up of Malay-speaking bumiputera believers, the first born of the land; the Orang Asli of Peninsular Malaysia and the Anak Negeri of Sabah and Sarawak.”

“The prophetic Word of God declares: “Every place that the sole of your feet will tread upon I have given to you just as I promised to Moses.” (Joshua 1:3).”

It said that under Article 153 of the constitution, Malays in the peninsula and indigenous peoples of Sabah and Sarawak are accorded a special position and privileges, but the Orang Asli of Peninsular Malaysia are excluded from such protection and it is timely, after half a century of such unjust exclusion, that the rights of the indigenous Orang Asal communities must be given due recognition with utmost urgency.

It also said while the special position of the Malays and natives of Malaysia shall be safeguarded, it is timely that the legitimate interests of other communities in Malaysia be equally observed and upheld in accordance with the provisions of Article 153.

Yes, Islam is the official religion...

While affirming Islam as the religion of the Federation, it said other religions may be practised and people of other faiths shall have the constitutional right and freedom to profess, practise, propagate, and manage their respective faiths without interference and intervention by the State.

“The constitution provides for laws to be enacted for the administration of Islam, such laws shall not be applied to non-Muslims, nor shall non-Muslims be subject to shariah law,” the statement says.

It also pointed out that freedom of religion is guaranteed by the Federal Constitution and set out in the first of the 18-Point and 20-Point conditions of Sarawak and Sabah respectively under the Malaysia Agreement, but the legislative, executive and judiciary have persistently and wilfully trampled upon such rights of people of other faiths by making laws and decisions that militate against such freedom.

“The prohibition of the usage of the word ‘Allah’ by bumiputera Christians to refer to the one true God and the restricted ban on the use of the Al-Kitab, the Malay language Bible, since the early 1980s are instances of gross violations of human rights.”

The senior clergymen also hit out at the judiciary at its highest levels for increasingly becoming more inclined to defend the supremacy of race and religion than to abide by their oath of office to defend the supremacy of the constitution.

It said, “The judiciary must act with justice and righteousness so that the ordinary citizen can drink from the fountain of the King’s justice, without fear or favour.”

On the usage of the word ‘Allah’ in the Al-Kitab (Malay Bible), the statement said the right to determine the liturgy and theology, including the translation of Holy Scriptures of non-Muslims, reside exclusively with the respective ecclesiastical authorities. The state, including Islamic agencies and the sultans as heads of Islam in their respective states, must not intervene in the exclusive province of other faiths.

It said, “The crisis over the usage of the word ‘Allah’ and the Al-Kitab remains unresolved for over 30 years now. The Malay speaking members of the Church in Malaysia have no other alternative but to continue to use this word and the Al-Kitab in the manner their forefathers have done so.”

It also took to task extremist dakwah elements who undertake aggressive Islamisation by both covert and overt means to convert bumiputera Christians through intimidation, deception, or inducements, particularly targeting remote and poor villagers, as well as the conversion of school children living in government hostels.

“The National Registration Department, despite its denials, is also classifying native Christians with ‘bin’ or ‘binti’ in their names as Muslims in their MyKad, without their knowledge or consent. Such unlawful and oppressive practices must stop immediately,” it said.

It also accused the government of having allowed hundreds of thousands of illegal migrants to inundate the country by giving them identity cards and/or citizenship since the 1970s, while scores of native-born people remain as stateless persons.
It said the influx of illegal migrants ending up as eligible voters through dubious means has grown to the extent that they seriously undermine free, fair and democratic elections.

The clergymen also demanded that “against such acts of treason, action to the full extent of the law must be taken against those who perpetrate such treason, regardless of how politically influential they may be in the ruling regime.”

---

BOB TEOH retired recently as a newspaper editor. He was the National Union of Journalists secretary-general from 1984 to 1986.

Sermon Series: Epistle of James 1:12-18

Sunday Worship Message by David Tan
Click on SlideShare to get a full view.

Sermon Series: Epistle of James 1:1-11

Sunday Worship Message by David Tan
Click on SlideShare to get a full view.

COMING SOON! Christian Homeschool Dialogue #2

CHRISTIAN HOMESCHOOL DIALOGUE #2

Homeschooling parents and kids 

share their their convictions and experiences

Saturday 12 July 2014    
3.00PM ~ 5.00PM 

Hope Evangelical Free Church 

No.6-1 Jalan Wangsa Delima 10,
Wangsa Link, Wangsa Maju,

 53300 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 

Tel/Fax: 03 41435357 

 Google Map

Light refreshments will be served.
Please note that NO babysitting services will be provided
and parents are responsible to keep their children occupied
during the session.

Guest Speakers:
David & Sook Ching Tan
Alfred & Stacey Chong
Amy Wan Ratos

Natalie Ng (23)
Elliot Tan (22)
Eliza Tan (15)

Registration:
Fees: RM10 per adult parent. 
RM5 per child above 12 years. 
Free for children under 12 years.
(Payable at the venue)

To register, please email names of parents, 
children's name and age, to:
ckeong7@gmail.com
dbctan@gmail.com

The truth is, there is no such thing as a "christian" homeschool. However, what we have are Christians who educate their own children in the home in very personalised ways.

And no two homeschoolers are alike, because no two families are the same. But homeschoolers who choose to have their children educated at home share very similar convictions. 

Join us to hear how these homeschooling parents are doing on the road less traveled, how they teach and discipline their children, what challenges they face, and what keeps them chugging along day by day. You will also hear homeschooling children talk about their experiences.

With two ex-homeschoolers and one teen who is still homeschooled, there will be interesting stories for sure! If you have always wondered what is homeschool and how parents educate their own children, this dialogue session is for you.

If you are already homeschooling, here's an opportunity to network and find encouragement as we learn from one another.

Christ's Ascension

FISH OUT OF WATER

SPEAKER: CHEE CHIN HOE
TITLE: FISH OUT OF WATER: GOD'S PURPOSE FOR HUMANITY
TEXT: GENESIS 2:7

Genesis 2:7 Then the Lord God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being. 

The Genesis record of God’s creation offers an interesting look at what humankind was created for. We read of a natural habitat that was designed for plants, as well as land and marine life, where each ‘kind’ could multiply and thrive. By looking at these earliest passages of Scripture, we discern God's design for humanity and why evangelism and mission are important to His church.

It began with the Creation Mandate
Genesis 1:11,12: The land produced vegetation: plants bearing seed according to their kinds and trees bearing fruit with seed in it according to their kinds. 
Genesis 1:20: Let the water teem with living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the vault of the sky. 
Genesis 1:24,25: And God said, “Let the land produce living creatures according to their kinds: the livestock, the creatures that move along the ground, and the wild animals, each according to its kind.” 

However, Genesis 1:26,27 reports the creation of humankind differently: Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground. So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them."

Unlike other plant life and living creatures, humankind’s life is naturally found in God, being created in His image and breathed into life (Genesis 2:7).

Because the Fall separated men and women from God, real life that is wholesome and full with a perfect relationship with our life-giving Creator was lost. A person without God is therefore like a fish out of water, removed from its original habitat. And like fish out of water, a person without God will die. God's people is therefore mandated to help bring lost souls back to their original life giving habitat, which is a living relationship with God our Creator. This is God’s purpose for His church, and this is the reason Jesus came to live among us.

It is exemplified in God’s covenant with Abraham
When Abraham first received God’s call, it was to go out to a Promised Land. The call came with a promise - as God blessed Abraham, he would in turn be a blessing to others. Genesis 12:1-3 “I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” 

It is the Church’s mandate as God’s chosen people
2 Corinthians 5:17-20 God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors…

As a people set apart for God, the church has an important task to be agents of reconciliation. Some of us will receive a special call to cross-cultural mission. But everyone’s responsibility is to reach out to unbelievers wherever they are placed, to bless others as they themselves have been blessed.

In order to become an effective witness and impact our community for Jesus, the book Becoming a Contagious Christian offers a helpful formula.

HP + CP + CC = MI 

Maximum Impact (MI) is achieved when a follower of Christ displays High Potency (HP), which is an authentic life of holiness and passion, and lives in Close Proximity (CP) with people around them to intentionally touch their lives. There must be Clear Communication (CC), by which the gospel of Jesus is shared in ways that unbelievers and the irreligious can understand and be impacted.

It is God's desire to see the lost saved. If we recognise God's purpose, we will  not hesitate to be used of Him to help the dying find life.

---------------------------------------------------------------------

Chee Chin Hoe is the CEO of VisionFund Cambodia, the microfinance subsidiary of World Vision. Chin Hoe and his wife Sook Fern are based in Cambodia. They have one adult daughter who is living in Melbourne. 

LIVING BEFORE GOD'S FACE

SUNDAY SERVICE: 2 FEB 2014
SPEAKER: DAVID TAN
TEXT: GENESIS 17:1-3

GENESIS 17:1-3 When Abram was ninety-nine years old the Lord appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am God Almighty; walk before me, and be blameless, that I may make my covenant between me and you, and may multiply you greatly.” Then Abram fell on his face. 

Living in an enduring relationship 
‘Walk’ is a figure of speech, a metaphor, for “the way we live” and it always implies a choice we make every waking moment of our life. Noah walked with God (Gen 6:9); Enoch walked with God and he was taken up to heaven (Gen 5:21-24). In every instance, this walk is an ONGOING journey that is undertaken by the person and God, as if they were traveling side-by-side together.

It refers to an enduring relationship, for we can’t ‘walk’ together unless we are friends. As every relationship has expectations, so as God invites Abram to walk with Him, he adds: “Be blameless.” So walking before God is not just a destination, but a direction, or a particular way we live. The more we love God, the more we will live to please Him. Paul says: “walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called” (Eph 4).

Living in the face of God 
Coram Deo is the Latin expression that means living “before God’s face,” which is what Abraham is expected to do. It means to live in the reality of God’s world and his sovereignty. He is ever present, ever seeing, every minute, every hour, every day – not just when we are involve in church activities. This is both a fearful reality and a comforting presence. For though we do not see God, He sees us and this is both an encouragement to righteous living and an assurance of security that only God can provide.

To live before God’s face is to live in God’s favour. Numbers 6:24-26 “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.”

Our Lord blesses when we seek to live to please and honour him. When King David sinned, he would cry, “Do not hide your face from me.” (Ps 102:2) Sin blocks God’s face. Jesus hung on the cross because he bore our sins. God turned his face away from his Son so He can turn His face towards us in grace. Therefore to live in the face of God is living a transparent and honest life. We examine our lives daily, confess and repent where necessary. Where there is confession and repentance, reconciliation begins, and we find forgiveness and wholeness.

Living before God’s face also means God sees all the suffering or injustices inflicted on his people. As Paul’s conversion story illustrates (Acts 9:4) God sees the evil His children suffer as if they were committed against our Lord personally. Thank God that we can commit our fears to Him and trust He will act and deliver as He wills for His name’s sake.

Living as redeemed sinners 

The only way to a healthier and meaningful life is to live gratefully as a forgiven sinner. Many of our emotional problems have roots in a withdrawing or hiding from God, as Adam and Eve did when they first sinned. But as we face up to our sin and accept God’s gift of grace in Christ we experience freedom. Walking before God is the way God transforms us and makes us good, as CS Lewis reminds us.


Conclusion
God is inviting us to live Coram Deo before his face. We can’t see God’s face, but when we look at Jesus, it is God we see, and it is the face of love, grace and mercy. It is not a small thing to live before God - It is a privilege as well as a responsibility. Abraham himself made many bad decisions and sinned. Yet he continued to walk before God, and he was counted righteous and honoured as God's ‘friend.’ Let’s seek God’s face, choose now to walk with Him, and live.

DOING GOOD, ENDURING EVIL

SUNDAY SERVICE: 26 JAN 2014
SPEAKER: DAVID TAN
TEXT: 1 PETER 3:8-17

Peter wrote his letters to Christians in the Roman empire between AD 64 – AD67 as Nero’s rule over Rome was at its most violent, at a time when God’s church faced her fiercest persecution. In times like ours in Malaysia, Peter’s letters are a good reminder to remain faithful witnesses even through suffering – especially as our destiny is victory and glory! As believers, Peter says we should not be surprised at the coming fiery trials (4:12). Meanwhile what do we do? How are we to be witnesses?

We witness by our convictions In the first chapter of his first letter, Peter tells his readers that they have been chosen by God, their salvation is sure, they have a living hope (1:3) and that their faith is more “precious than gold that perishes” (1:7). He refers to the Christian life as an inheritance that is waiting for us through the finished work of Jesus on the cross. It is this conviction that helps Jesus’ followers to stand and declare what they believe when confronted with persecution and suffering. Our endurance affirms our convictions .

We witness as a community We do this as a gospel community, a holy community, and not as an individual believer.

“How is it possible that the gospel should be credible, that people should believe (in the) power… that is represented by a man hanging on a cross? I am suggesting that the only answer, the only hermeneutic of the gospel, is a congregation of men and women who believe it and live by it.” Lesslie Newbigin

Peter addresses his letters to “a people belonging to God” (2:9,10). He offers advice and commands for families, husbands and wives to live in harmony; he speaks about relationships between masters and servants, citizens and emperors. He talks about the importance of unity and brotherly love, kindness, humility. Our witness fails, when our community fails. Only as a community living together in love and fellowship will our gospel be a credible witness to a hostile world.

We witness by our confession Our confession may be expressed through the Church sacraments of Baptism and Holy Communion; at other times words must be used. But mainly, we confess to what we believe by being a people who are godly and who are eager do good. "Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us." (2:2)

As Bishop emeritus Hwa Yung said: “We may not be wanted, we may be treated like pendatang, but God has called us to be a blessing. And I don't care what you think of me, I am going to be a blessing!" God’s power is truly demonstrated when we remain united through fiery trials and His people continue to do good even when they are hated and persecuted (3:16).

Conclusion The church of God is the aroma of Christ. Unbelievers watch to see if what we preach is true, and if the benefits are real. As our society grows more intolerant, we need to be a community that speaks powerfully of God’s grace and salvation through righteous living and good works - to those in the church as much as those who are outside. We cannot do this alone, but as God’s community we can do much by His grace.

NEW YEAR, NEW LIFE

SUNDAY SERVICE: 19 JAN 2014 
SPEAKER: DAVID TAN 
TEXT: ROMANS 6:1-4 

The Bible has important things to say about newness: a new covenant; new heaven and earth; God’s mercies are new every morning; we are born again into a new life, a new creation. Yet we do not always feel new. For many of us, our Christian faith feels old, our life somewhat dull. What does the Bible mean by new life? How does a Christian receive it and live out this new life?

Newness of Life When a person becomes a believer, he receives through faith in Jesus a new life. It is a new spiritual reality that we cannot fully understand but can only experience. A believer has a new direction and begins to think, feel, act in a completely new way as if he is a new creation (2 Cor 5:17).

Jesus our righteousness Newness of life is a status we receive when Jesus’ righteousness becomes ours. Paul describes how Jesus’ death justifies us, grants forgiveness and saves us from God’s wrath.

Roms 5:17 For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ! 

Paul goes on to say that we do not earn our salvation – this gift of righteousness is free, thanks to Jesus’ finished work on the cross!

Dead to sin, alive to God Paul refers to baptism to explain a believer's identification with Jesus in death and resurrection. We died with Christ (Rom 6:5) when He “died to sin once and for all” (Rom 6:8-10). Therefore the power of sin no longer enslaves a believer.

Paul is however not saying that the effect of justification only happens during baptism – justification takes place upon a simple confession of faith in Jesus’ death and resurrection As Rom 4:25 declares, “He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.” 

Baptism is a visible display of obedience and an acknowledgement of God’s ownership of our life: “You belong to me now,” God says. “I’ve made you new. Live for me because I will live in you.”

Reign of righteousness In writing about new life, Paul refers to two kinds of rule. He writes of the reign of righteousness: Rom 5:17 17 For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ! 

And he writes of the reign of sin: In Rom 6:12 “Do not let sin reign in your mortal body…..”

A believer is given a new passport – citizenship in the Kingdom of Heaven. The laws of the other kingdom no longer apply and the believer escapes God's wrath . The believer who has now been saved by grace is therefore motivated by love and thankfulness to serve the rule of righteousness, to live a life that pleases God more and more.

Process of sanctification More than a status, the new life is also a process where the believer is being made holy by the Holy Spirit. This process is called sanctification. An evidence of new birth is a vital relationship with God. We want God more and more; yet unless we are made holy, we can’t have that relationship. So the Holy Spirit sanctifies us to desire more and more of God, to live in righteousness.

But what happens when we fall into sin? Thankfully, we can turn to God who forgives (1 John 1:8,9)

John Newton: "My exercise of grace is faint, my consolations small, my heart is full of evil, my chief burdens are, a wild ungoverned imagination, and a strange sinful backwardness to reading the Scriptures, and to secret prayer….But my eye and my heart are to Jesus! His I am; Him I desire to serve; to Him this day, I would devote and surrender myself anew." 

Like John Newton, though we fail, we ought to keep our eye and heart on Jesus. In confession and repentance, God will forgive and make us whole.

THE SEEDS OF STRENGTHS IN PARENTING

SUNDAY SERVICE: 12 JAN 2014
SPEAKER: JOSEPH TAN
TEXT:  PSALMS 1:1-3

1 Blessed is the one 
who does not walk in step with the wicked 
or stand in the way that sinners take 
or sit in the company of mockers, 
2 but whose delight is in the law of the LORD, 
 and who meditates on his law day and night. 
3 That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, 
which yields its fruit in season 
and whose leaf does not wither— 
whatever they do prospers. 

Fruitfulness vs Productivity
Life is like a garden – there’s always a lot of effort to tend it, to remove weeds, etc before we enjoy its fruit in season. The phrase ‘fruit in season’ tells us very much about what the Bible regards as important: while the world talks about productivity, the Christian focuses on fruitfulness. Productivity has to do with efficiency, while fruitfulness has to do with effectiveness. What does fruitfulness imply?

In John 15, Jesus called on his followers to abide in him. Only by abiding in him or obeying will the Christian bear much fruit (v5) and only then will there be joy (v11).

These Biblical truths point us towards lessons in parenting. It is intentional, it bears fruit, and it produces joy. And joy ultimately sustains us and builds up the total person, spirit, body and soul. Joy is therefore not merely the fruit of a faithful life of attentiveness and obedience, it is also the seed of a person’s strength. In parenting, we must be careful to nurture that which bears the fruit of joy.

The Anatomy of Strength 
College Administrator Edward Anderson once said, “Most students leave college because of disillusionment, discouragement, or reduced motivation, than because of lack of ability or dismissal by school administration.” 

Children face similar challenges in the home while parents struggle to understand why. Just as joy is essential to productivity in school and the workplace, joy is the key to fruitful parenting. How do we cultivate this?

Proverbs 22:6 says,"Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.” The way that a child should go must be according to her bent and natural inclination, or strengths. This is because we are all not wired the same way – we all function differently.

As Romans 12:4 says, “For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function.” When a person performs according to her bent or strengths, there is growth and development as well as joy. Parents must be careful not to push a child in a direction that is against her bent but instead work with their child's strengths.

The test of a fruit lies in its taste. The taste of fruitfulness is joy. We will be better parents when we acknowledge this important aspect of our parenting effort.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

About the Speaker
Joseph Tan is the Director of Good Monday Consulting, a training and consulting company which focuses on the personal transformation of the individual by developing character and 
discovering strengths. He is also a certified instructor with the Character Training Institute (corporate and education) and leads the Malaysian chapter of Answers in Genesis. Joseph and his wife Debra homeschool their two daughters Eliza and Eunice, and worship at DUMC. 

The Obedience of Faith

SUNDAY SERVICE: 5 JAN 2014 
SPEAKER: DAVID TAN 
TEXT: ACTS 5:33-42

This passage of scripture records the encounter between Jewish religious leaders and the apostles. Having been arrested and warned not to speak or teach in Jesus’ name these apostles replied, “We must obey God rather than men.” 

A Time for Courage OpenDoors USA placed Malaysia as #40 (moderately persecuted) out of 50 countries where Christians are persecuted. The situation is likely to get worse and God’s people are called to make a stand and take courage.

Courage is not an arrogant show of strength, but the strength of conviction. Our conviction must be derived from a conscience that is informed by God’s Word. Martin Luther on trial in 1521 for defying the Catholic Church’s unbiblical doctrines and practices said, “My conscience is captive to the Word of God. Thus I cannot and will not recant, because acting against one’s conscience is neither safe nor sound.” 

We obey because it is God’s command and because we love. “If you love me, you will obey what I command.” (John 14:15) In the present controversy, we make a stand to affirm our constitutional rights as affirmed in Article 11. Thankfully we find strength by turning to God.(Psalm 56:3-4)

The Call to Trust Being obedient may bring danger, and therefore we need to trust that whatever happens, God’s work will never be hindered. Trusting God means taking the long view and believing in God’s final victory over his enemies.

Like Abraham we may not have a map (Hebrews 8:11), but our confidence comes from having Jesus as our guide. He is the good shepherd who has promised to be with us: “The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” (Deuteronomy 31:8)

The Witness of Faith While challenges increase, God’s people must continue doing what’s right faithfully. This includes loving our enemies as well as carrying on with bridge-building services in our community – such as our Sri Semarak and Orang Asli ministries.

For the Apostles in Acts 4:29, being released from detention did not discourage their mission. Instead they prayed for boldness to continue, and even counted it a joy to suffer for Jesus’ sake.

Focusing on the Unseen Obeying God rather than men means to keep our eyes on eternal things that we cannot see.  "Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."(2 Cor 4:16-18)

We will endure and not lose heart when we pay attention to the unseen and eternal glory of Jesus. Get to know the Bible; understand God’s big story; keep in step with the Spirit; and keep an eye on the work of God throughout the world. There is encouragement that while persecution of God’s church has increased in our day, more and more people are also turning to Christ in large numbers like in China and Africa, as well as parts of the Middle East.

May God be glorified by our faithfulness and obedience.