CONFORMED TO THE WILL OF GOD

The Will of God occurs 23 times in the King James' Version of the Bible. It is stated to be Good, Acceptable and Perfect. Stacks of books have been written about how to seek and know God's will.

It was at the recently completed Northern Region Fellowship Camp (27^th to 30^th September, 2000) that I was introduced to the theological terms related to it. There is the "traditional method" of knowing the will of God during a crisis, yes, only in terms of crises, with requests for signs, and success and blessing to confirm that it is indeed God's Will. This method does not take into consideration the routine ordinary decision-making moments in daily living. Is it not equally important that I know the Will of God too at these times? Hence, this method's weakness.

There is an "alternative" to this method. It proposes three aspects of God's Will – His Sovereign Will (i.e. God's secret plan that determines everything that happens in the Universe); His Moral Will (i.e. God's revealed commands in the Bible that teach how men ought to believe and live); and His Will for the Individual (God's ideal detailed life-plan uniquely designed for each person.).

This "alternative" method also proposes "The Way of Wisdom". In those areas where God's Moral Will is clearly revealed, they must be obeyed. In areas where there is no specific command, the believer is free to choose his own course of action. Any decision made within the moral will of God is acceptable to Him. In non-moral decisions, the Christian is to make wise decisions (The Way of Wisdom) based on spiritual expediency. Finally, in all decisions, the believer should humbly submit, in advance, to the outworking of God's sovereign will as it touches each decision.

A still another "alternative" (if we can call it one) to the two above is stated by Oswald Chambers in his daily devotional book, My Utmost For His Highest. He says, and I quote, "This friendship (with God) means being so intimately in touch with God you never even need to ask Him to show you His Will. It is evidence of a level of intimacy which confirms that you are nearing the final stage of your discipline in the life of faith. When you have a right-standing relationship with God, you have a life of freedom, liberty, and delight, you are God's Will. And all of your commonsense decisions are actually His will for you, unless you sense a feeling of restraint brought on by a check in your spirit. You are free to make decisions in the light of a perfect and delightful friendship with God, knowing that if your decisions are wrong He will lovingly produce that sense of restraint. Once He does, you must stop immediately."

Having not read any major book on the Will of God, except to read this in His Word, I found myself in agreement to a convergence of all the above, instead of sticking to any one "method". I had sought His Will by the "traditional Method" when I encountered crises in my professional life as well as in my spiritual ministry for Him. On hundreds of occasions, I had used His divinely bequeathed wisdom to decide on where to go, when to accept a speaking invitation, how to plan out an itinerary, etc. There have been times too when I was called on suddenly to speak for the Lord without a moment of choice even to seek His Will - it was then that I was His Will and spoke forth His Mind. Yes, I was doing God's Will and using the Wisdom that comes with it without even having to learn the theological terms and "methods"!
 

CALLED TO DO THE WILL OF GOD.

But why this discussion on the Will of God in this Berita?

Since my last Berita Bethel, it was pointed out that what was stated in my commendation letter of 20th Oct. 1996 when I was commended "for a full-time Bible teaching ministry in the Lord's Service" and my being "an elder of Burmah Road Gospel Hall" was "inconsistent in its content and intent." Hence, I needed to re-confirm with the Lord His intent for me. Using the so-called "traditional method" of seeking God's Will (as I was then in crisis) I asked the Lord to direct me. He did so in such marvellous ways - from His Word, the Counsel of Wise men of God and the supportive "signs" of circumstances (too marvellous to categorize them as coincidence) that I could and can never mistake this re-confirmation of His Call to what I am doing now.

I thank the Lord too for an understanding Oversight and the assembly of His people at Burmah Road Gospel Hall to finally send (apoluo, from a word which means free fully, i.e. (lit.) relieve, release, Acts 13:3) me out into this ministry with their blessing. Hence, the following announcement was made by the Oversight to the believers at Burmah Road Gospel Hall on Aug, 27, 2000 –
 
 

I have not "left" the assembly. Except for most Sunday mornings and the occasional ministries outside Penang when I am teaching the Word elsewhere, I am still present in every assembly meeting and activity. I still take charge of the Mission Night on the third Wednesday of every even month, the monthly Bible Study on The Seven Churches in Revelation, the fortnightly Bethel Bible Class in my house and other duties that I am called upon to discharge from time to time.

Now with a man short in the Oversight, I am sure Mr. Tan Tiong Leng, Mr. Thomas Chin and Mr. Ong Eng Guan together with all the other deacons will treasure our prayers for each one of them the more. Pray too that the Lord will lay His finger on others to strengthen the hands of the Oversight in the future.
 

WHEN I CAME AMONG YOU
IN THE WILL OF GOD.

The last term was a very exhausting time for me physically and mentally. It was through the Lord's Grace that He met all my needs and sustained me in my travels. Spiritually, as I went among God's people, not only were they refreshed by His Spirit, I was too – their joy encouraged me.

28 to 30 July – Special ministry meetings at Bidor Gospel Centre.
I drove through Bidor many times in my young days. This was the first time I saw Bidor town. It was a privilege to meet Mr. Cheah Huck Leong and Cheng Chou Sing and their families who form the core of the Bidor Gospel Centre. I was there for three days teaching on the Prophetical chapters of the Book of Daniel.

3-13 August – Visit of Mr. & Mrs. Peter Ferry.
I was delighted to meet Peter and Peggy who responded to the Penang assemblies' invitation to hold a seminar on Why We Believe What We Believe and Why We Do What We Do as well as speak in special meetings in the five assemblies in Penang. I was kept very busy just before this period, as I had to arrange for all their meetings. The Lord blessed their ministry to us richly.

16-18, August – 2000 Asian Assemblies Conference.
After much "pressure" from a few of the AAC Committee members to attend it, I found myself at the Conference in Eastin Hotel, KL as a "stay-out" delegate. I hesitated to attend at first because of the pre- and post-Conference work "pressure", but the "in-pressure" was stronger and I succumbed to it. However, I did not regret for attending because it was there that God re-confirmed for me the "signs" of His call to my present ministry. It was a thrill to sit at the feet of Mr. George Dawson and Dr. John Lennox as they expounded God's Word to all of us.

27 Aug. - 1^st Sep. - GLO Training School, Taiping.
On Sunday, I spoke at Taiping Gospel Hall. I was there for my GLO lectures on Eschatology and Biblical Hermeneutics the next day. There were 4 full-time students at GLO. Among them were Mr. and Mrs. Ravi. I have not met bro. Ravi for a very long time. He was a member of the first Assembly Bible Class (ABC) I formed at BRGH at least over 25 years ago. There were also nine part-time students among whom were Mr. & Mrs. Chin Yean Leong. Mr. Chin is the elder of Bentong Gospel Hall. Both of them were the "live-wires" in the class as they tried to make sure that I "earned my keep" and kept me on my toes the whole time. I was encouraged to see the only day-time student, sis. Chin En Ai in the class.  She literally "wheeled" herself up the staircase in her wheel-chair to the lecture hall every day. Willing hands were ever ready to assist her.

3^rd - 5^th September - BRGH Family Camp, Sitiawan
Without even having the time to unpack, I was off with the BRGH believers to Sitiawan after the Lord's Supper the next day. It was a good time to catch up with Mr. & Mrs. Yap Kok Keong. Mr. Yap bared his heart to all of us even as he spoke very frankly on Family Alive Church Alive. It was a good time of "rest" for me.

9^th September – GLO Graduation Day.
It was back to Taiping on Saturday. I missed out on the previous two Graduation Services because of speaking engagements elsewhere. This was also the last year for Mr. Andrew Cowell, the GLO Administrator, and his family. Hence, I made it a point to be there this time.

27^th - 30 -- Northern Region Fellowship Camp.
After three weeks' "rest"  (actually there were other meetings in between) it was off to Pedu Lake Resort for this Camp. This was the best-represented camp in its history. There were nine assemblies represented, about 30 % over the age of 55 and a similar percentage of men.  Mr. Koh Ting Tiew (the speaker), his wife and their son were there as well. Mr. Koh dealt very ably on the theme Look  Up, While Others Look Around and gave all of us a clear understanding on how to seek the Will of God, some of which extracts I quoted in my introduction.
 

COMING TO YOU SHORTLY
IN THE WILL OF GOD.

I shall value your prayers for the next term's itinerary.

7^th October. – Penang Assembly Partnership [PAP] Meeting at BMGC. All six English-speaking assemblies in Penang are coming together to discuss common problems and projects that concern them.

18^th October. – My appointment day with my eye-specialist to check on my Blepharitis  (eye-lid infection). It was this that prevented me from having my cataract operation in July. The chronic infection is still there, and it looks like I have to postpone it to next July in the Will of the Lord. Praise God it does not affect my ministry for Him. Perhaps this is His thorn in the flesh for me. (II Cor. 12:7) At night is Mission Night where the Indian Mission Team and I hope to inform the assemblies in Penang of details concerning the coming mission to India so that we can have prayer and practical support from the assemblies and individuals in Penang. I hope that you too will remember us before the Lord in prayer.

25^th October– PAP Inter-assembly Dinner. This is a PAP project to say farewell to Mr. & Mrs. Daniel Jeveraj and Dr. and Mrs. Lim Seang Chye, faithful stalwarts of the assemblies in Penang even as they move to Taiping and Kuala Lumpur respectively.

26^th October – BRGH 5th Annual Workers' Conf. I am responsible to organise this Conference to discuss matters, problems and projects concerning the assembly and to set the direction for next year in the will of the Lord.

17-27 November – Mission to India. Do pray for us, as I lead this Mission Team to visit the assemblies in Chennai and Bangalore. Together with me are Mr. & Mrs. Kevin Ewe, Misses Melisa Ooi, Chan Mei Lai and Annie Dora. I shall be speaking in various assemblies in these two cities, while the others will be involving in youth and children's ministries.

10^th December –Bethesda Hall Ang Mo Kio, (AMK) Singapore. I shall be speaking at the Lord's Supper Ministry there.

11- 15^th December -AMKGospel Hall Youth Camp.  I shall be speaking on the Theme: A Burning Heart.

27^th Dec – 1^st Jan 2001 – Bangsar Gospel Centre Youth Camp. The Camp Theme is Commitment to Excellence and the Camp organisers have requested that I take them over to the NEW YEAR 2001.(DV)
 

CONTRIBUTING ACCORDING TO THE WILL OF GOD.

Paul was encouraged by the giving spirit of the Macedonian churches and Christians.  They knew their Priorities well. They first gave their Persons to God – it was God's Will that this should be so. [Rom. 12:1]  Then they gave a Portion of their Property (nay, even beyond their ability) to the Lord "as God hath Prospered" (them) – it was according to God's Word that this should be the order. [I Cor. 16:2]

As I approach the 4^th Anniversary of my Commendation on 20^th October, I would like to thank the anonymous BRGH member who since that date in 1996, nay and even before it, has continued faithfully in fellowship with me every month without fail. It was this singular gift that confirmed to me the Lord's Call and Command to go out just trusting Him.  And He said unto them, Take nothing for your journey, neither staves, nor scrip, neither bread, neither money; neither have two coats apiece. And whatsoever house ye enter into, there abide, and thence depart. Luke 9:3, 4. The Lord has been faithful in His promise to me and only the Lord knows who this faithful beloved saint is, and will reward him/her accordingly.

I thank the Lord for all of you who are Prayer-partners with me. Not only so, some of you have even gone beyond your ability to want to share with me the [practical] fellowship of the ministering to the saints so that I could channel your love gifts to the following the past term:
 
 

09 July	Don Donsworth.	GLO, Australia. He and his wife came over to GLO, Taiping for a few months to help the GLO Administrator to put the GLO library in order among many other duties.
19 July	Hilmy Nor and Meilee	Commended workers at Puching Gospel Centre. Hilmy is Malay by race, but he is officially recognised as a follower of Christ. He was imprisoned under the Internal Security Act and has written a book about his experience entitled, Circumcised Heart.
27 Aug.	Donna Cowell	House-mother at GLO, Taiping on the occasion of her  birthday.
15 Sep.	Andrew Cowell	Administrator of GLO, Taiping. He led a LIFE (Learning of Indonesia Field Education) Program Mission to Indonesia from 19th to 26th Sept.  On 27th September, he finished his term with GLO and returned to Australia after having served there for almost four years. He and his family are preparing to serve in Indonesia long term next year.
01 Oct.	N. Sinnappan	Commended worker at Butterworth Gospel Hall. He has stones in the gall bladder. He may or may not have to go for an operation depending on how successful the present treatment is. His wife is also due for a surgery some time in late November or early December.

This term, relatively speaking, not as many gifts channelled out because a few were ear-marked for the Mission to India. The other members in the Team and I will value your prayers for us even we launch out on this Mission trusting only the Lord to lead, direct and guide us throughout. It is our first time out to this region. It is also the first time we are going to meet our Indian brothers and sisters face to face. However, one thing we are confident of – we are all members in the One Body of Christ and we shall be perfectly at home with one another – though perfect strangers at the beginning. Do pray for us.

(As) a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all THE WILL OF GOD. Col. 4:12

Yours in the Glad Service of the Lord,