OUR PRAYER MEETINGS

It is good for a church to pray together. It is said that a church that prays together stays together. That is why we have a church prayer meeting every Friday, 8.00-9.30 pm. I am thankful for the hundred or so who come to labour in prayer each time. I am thankful for parents who bring their children to prayer meetings as well. I am heartened that the children themselves are glad to come. There is certainly a unifying and sanctifying influence as we pray together as a family and as a church. We pray for more to come and experience the power of praying together. Our prayers are not in vain when we pray in Jesus’ name. Our Father in heaven certainly hears and answers prayers. Jesus assures us, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you. Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.” (John 16:23-24). “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” (Matt 18:20).

In our prayer meetings, we follow the order set by our beloved founding pastor—the Rev Dr Timothy Tow. Besides hymn-singing and scripture memorisation, we have the preaching of God’s Word, thanksgiving and testimonies where members share how the Lord has heard their prayers and helped them in their time of need. After which we have a period of praise and supplication. We pray for True Life and its ministries, for FEBC, for missions, for the salvation of souls, for the sick and for members with various needs, and many other things as the need arises.

Know that prayer is a privilege given to God’s children. It is a means of grace. When we go to the Lord in prayer, we find the strength we need to face the many challenges and struggles of life. That is why the Lord said that “men ought always to pray, and not to faint” (Luke 18:1). To illustrate His point, the Lord gave a parable of the persistent widow in Luke 18:2-7: “There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man: And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary. And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man; Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me. And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith. And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? I tell you that he will avenge them speedily.” This parable assures us of God’s speedy rescue of His people from their enemies. The key is this: “men ought always to pray, and not to faint.” If the unjust judge will help this hopeless widow lest she continues to bother him, how much more will our righteous Father help His own dear children who go to Him in prayer. JK

A BIBLE STUDENT’S PRAYER

John Knox

Out of the 119th Psalm – Wherein shall the child address his way? In guiding himself according to thy Word. Open mine eyes, and I shall know the marvels of thy Law. Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy Law, yea I shall keep it with mine whole heart. Lord, which art the fountain of all wisdom and knowledge, seeing it hath pleased thee to give me the means to be taught in my youth, for to learn to guide me godly and honestly all the course of my life; it may also please thee to lighten mine understanding (the which of itself is blind), that it may comprehend and receive that doctrine and learning which shall be taught me: it may please thee to strengthen my memory to keep it well; it may please thee also to dispose mine heart willingly to receive it with such desire as appertaineth, so that by mine ingratitude, the occasion which thou givest me, be not lost.

That I may thus do, it may please thee to pour upon me thine Holy Spirit, the Spirit, I say, of all understanding, truth, judgement, wisdom, and learning, the which may make me able so to profit, that the pains that shall be taken in teaching me be not in vain. And to what study so ever I apply myself, make me, O Lord, to address it unto the right end: that is, to know thee in our Lord Jesus Christ, that I may have full trust of salvation in thy grace, and to serve thee uprightly according to thy pleasure, so that whatsoever I learn, it may be unto me as an instrument to help me thereunto.

And seeing thou dost promise to give wisdom to the little and humble ones, and to confound the proud in the vanity of their wits, and likewise to make thyself known to them that be of an upright heart, and also to blind the ungodly and wicked; I beseech thee to fashion me unto true humility, so that I may be taught first to be obedient unto thee, and next unto my superiors, that thou hast appointed over me: further that it may please thee to dispose mine heart unfeignedly to seek thee, and to forsake all evil and filthy lusts of the flesh: And that in this sort, I may now prepare my self to serve thee once in that estate which it shall please thee to appoint for me, when I shall come to age.

“GRADUATION DAY” FOR DEPARTED SAINTS

Dr Jeffrey Khoo & Brethren

FEBC & True Life BPC

Beloved Friends,

Thank you for the kind words of comfort, consolation, encouragement. It hardly seems real that my dear Ruth—faithful and precious friend, companion, and helper in the Gospel on this island during more than half a century—is no longer with us. Indescribably lonely, but not forsaken. (Matt 28:20b & Heb 13:5)

Thank God for THE PRECIOUS WORD! How could we live without it? (Matt 4:4, Jer 15:16; Ps 110:97 etc …)

Unfinished business. Still much work to be done, the door of opportunity yet open (Rev 3:8), and better days ahead—if not temporally, then for certain ETERNALLY! Blessed is the man who has this target in view, and lives like it. (Rev 19-20-21-22).

Many thanks for prayer, and for standing with us. God bless you!

A bro in Christ

Bob Kluttz

Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan
February 2014

Graduation Day

[Ed: The Rev Dr Robbert Kluttz is a long-time missionary to Japan, and pastor of the Hokkaido Bible Centre in Sapporo. His beloved wife Ruth was called home to be with the Lord recently (see “Graduation Day” announcement). Dr Kluttz was used of the Lord to guide our brother Dr Jose Lagapa and his family to salvation, and to FEBC. We thank the Lord for Dr Kluttz and for his loving support of FEBC. May the Lord continue to bless and use him mightily. Until we see Him face to face.]

VERSE FOR THE WEEK

“Happy is the man that feareth alway: but he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief.” Prov 28:14