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For
Those Seeking The Truth & Dynamic Living Christ is Victor |
September/October
2002
Volume 15, Number 5
“Light”
A matter of grave concern has been heavy on my heart. Why are we not exalting the name of Jesus Christ, unable to set up such a flood of light around us that men and women readily recognize that Jesus is the author of Light, Jesus is the Sun of Righteousness, and Jesus is the Light of the world?
How is it that in the prevailing darkness around us, our light is scarcely visible? This seems to be a grave contradiction, as much as to say, is there light at all? If there is light it should be seen, because of the prevailing darkness. I cannot understand how people can become so totally irrational. If our churches are a light that means crime rate around us should go down.
If you are a light, if our families are a light, then there should be people clamouring all round us, saying, “Please give us some of that light which makes you so effective, so happy, so stable, so secure.” There should be a clamouring around us saying, “Give us that light.” The world should be looking at us and saying, “We need the light which is in you”. Why is it that we are not able to arrest that normal attention that light automatically begets?
Even the creatures of darkness seem somehow to draw near to light. I once saw what appeared like creatures of darkness seem somehow to approach the light, rather timorously it might be. I once saw what I thought was a bird which was on the ground late at night but slowly crawling towards the light that emanated from my tent. I said, “What is that?” I went out of the tent and took a good look, and it was a huge scorpion, I don't know what caused that scorpion to draw near to the light, but I have often seen that to be the case. Now the normal reaction of a creature should be to turn away from the light, to look for some dark corner. But sometimes I have seen these creatures of darkness even advancing towards the light, perhaps to get some of their prey near the light which they can devour.
Why should we say we are Christians? Why should we say we are those that walk in the light, as He is in the light? Our Lord has no darkness at all. There is no darkness in Him, we are told. All right, then, is there darkness in us? Is there gloom in us? Why is our light not shining in the prevailing gloom of our day? Now, this to me is a matter of great sorrow. There are some causes for this lack of light. I would say first I notice, people do not know how to pray.
If a person ceases to breathe, he is immediately declared to be dead. When a person who says he is a Christian does not require the breath of faith you can be sure he is as dead as a door nail. This talk of being a Christian without adequate prayer which begets light, example and blessing, cannot any longer pass unchallenged.
“For we are unto God a sweet savour
of Christ” (II Cor.
I believe there should be repentance in us preachers first. I always maintain if the preacher is right the people are right. If there is a prophetic word from the Lord then sin will be unmasked. The sources of darkness will be quickly identified and dealt with. But when a preacher is without prayer and when there is no prophetic light then you know you can have a very deathly and dark situation. I believe that that is our present condition around the globe.
We are actually destroying the world through the lack of revival, lack of power in prayer, and lack of credibility in the pulpit. Why should we say we are Christians if our light does not so shine that men will see our good works and glorify our heavenly Father?
Light is seen, light illuminates, light enlightens the dark corners. People want light around them. Are we a source of light? Are we able to pray till there is light? Are we creating light? Are we emanating light? Are we illuminating every dark corner? Oh, it is so sad that even in Christian work people love comfort, ease and to have a little niche for themselves. And as they enlarge that niche and grow in self-satisfaction and in other comforts, they feel they have arrived. What a curse to be those that get easily satisfied with one’s own comfort! What a curse! Are we called to seek and design our own comfort? Oh, to be a source of light in this dark world! Oh, to be an example to others! Oh, to be an inspiration to those who are crying to be inspired!
Now, dear readers. I cannot come to terms with an apathetic, dull, stodgy lifeless kind of presentation. We have got to lay hold of Christ. We have to repent of all these sources of darkness which we have permitted to permeate us. We have got to be faithful to God.
-Joshua Daniel
“A Glimpse of Heaven”
I had a vision once which made me take my Christian life far more seriously than I had ever done before.
In this vision, I saw myself as one who was active in Christian activities. I went to Christian meetings, taught in the Sunday School, and now and then visited the sick. In all these things I was quite sincere and had no idea of playing the hypocrite. In fact, I considered myself to be quite a shining light.
Without any warning, I became terribly sick one day, and was brought to the brink of death. But since I was a born-again Christian, I knew that I could rely on the mercy of my Saviour. Then I lost consciousness, and all of a sudden, found myself in heaven. It was wonderful to see the saints of God there.
At first I was swallowed up with great joy with the thought that I was safe and free from sin- and I was. But then I began to feel lonely and a little sad. I somehow felt unfit to mingle with these glorious saints.
My thoughts went back to my past life and it unfolded before me like a movie-film. But across it all was written the one word “Forgiven”. “Oh, praise God,” I thought, “there is no record of my sins.”
But further glance at the record of my life troubled me. The record showed my thoughts, feelings, actions etc. It showed how and for what I had used the time, talents and money which God had entrusted me with, during my life on earth.
Now I saw the world as God saw it- reeking with lust, adultery, hatred, witchcraft, war, lying, gossiping, rebellion, greed, pride, hypocrisy etc. I could now see the millions blinded by sin, staggering and falling into the pit of hell. No one seemed to care for them. I also heard the screams of agony of those caught in the web of sin. But no one seemed interested in helping them.
I had been too busy (during my earthly life), having fun- even religious fun. As I now saw myself and my way of life as God had seen it, I became sick with the realisation that I had lived selfishly.
“If only I could get back my wasted life," I thought. But that could never be possible. My opportunities on earth were now past. “Oh God”, I thought, “I would give anything to have lived my life to its fullest for Christ”.
Suddenly one of the glorious saints came to me. He said he had come to hear me tell of the victories I had won and of the souls I had had the privilege of pointing to Christ. What could I say? All I could remember was my life of ease and comfort. My life had been filled with seeking to please myself. He asked me concerning his son. His son had been full of rebellion and he had lived near me. “Did you speak to him of Christ? Is there some hope of his being saved?” he asked.
My heart sank within me as I heard his question. What could I reply? I had known the boy and his problems. But not wanting to get involved in his difficulties. I had ignored him. The boy's father must have guessed the truth when he saw me silent. He looked at me with a look of disappointment for himself and pity for me, and then slowly turned and went away.
And then I saw another glorious person. This was a widow who had struggled through great difficulties on earth, and had led all her children to Christ except her youngest girl. She told me that her youngest daughter had been led astray by the empty glamour of the world. “If someone had shown her Christ's love perhaps she might have opened her eyes,” she said, “You knew her. Did you take time to talk to her?” Again I was silent. I bent my head down as I could no longer bear to see her looking intently at me for an answer.
As I was deep in thought, another form appeared before me. This was the glorified form of one who had been a black man on earth. He introduced himself and asked me concerning the Christian group with whom he had laboured and of his companions whom he had left behind- many of whom I knew. “Did you try to help them?” he asked, “Was your life an example to them? Please tell me, did you make some attempt to lead them to salvation?”
I
knew his group. But I had never given them any encouragement or help. I had reasoned that they did
not belong to my group, they did not hold my convictions, and they were quite
different from me in many respects. But now in the clear light of heaven, I could
see that I had been full of spiritual pride. “Oh God,” I thought,
“Is this heaven? Will the selfishness of my past life haunt me throughout
eternity? Lord, I feel so wretched and unworthy. If only I could live my life
over again.”
I felt nothing but anguish and wondered if I would find any comfort at
all in heaven. I had wasted
my life in useless ambitions and trifling pleasures- when it might have been
filled with sowing deeds that would have produced a never-ending harvest of
heavenly fruit.
Then I saw a marvellous sight. Thousands of God's faithful servants through the ages were passing by me. They looked like gods and I would have given anything to possess their joy and beauty. And then I saw Jesus, the King of kings Himself. What a look of love and admiration He gave those faithful servants of His, as though He was saying. "Well done, My faithful brothers". Oh, that look of Jesus! I felt it would be worth dying a hundred deaths to get one such loving look of recognition from Him.
Then
He turned and look at me- in pity- and said,
“You will find yourself very little in harmony with these who laid down
their lives to bring honour to Me”.
“Oh God! Oh God!”, I cried, “Hide my shame. If only I had valued the opportunities that You had given me to serve You. Why did I chase after such hollow ambitions and comforts? Lord, help me!”
Mercifully, it was only a vision. I awoke to find that I was still on earth. I still had opportunity to live my life completely for Him Who had given up everything for me.
-William Booth
“Reality Check”
“For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” 1 Timothy 6:10
“The Fruits of Faith”
“I the Lord do keep it; I will water it every moment: lest any hurt it, I will keep it night and day”. (Isaiah 27:3)
We know we belong to a mighty Saviour. He watches over our safety. He keeps us, watering us every moment. As I read the Bible, as I see the records of men whose lives proved the faithfulness of God, my heart melts in gratitude. Abraham, Joseph, Moses and Elijah did not seek the world or the world’s glory. They sought Him, the living God, and they saw His faithfulness. Especially, Daniel, at the age of ninety, fasting and praying for his people, saw the fulfillment of God’s promises in their lives. God raised up Cyrus to help them out. God can raise the heathen to support us. God can rain provision for us. Our foes are within us and not without. Watch and pray that the ‘old man’ may not rise again. No one from without can harm us. When we are humble and our heart is clean, heaven finds a channel to flow through us.
Einstein was able to discover physical formulae which have
helped to release enormous amounts of physical energy. God will inspire you
with bigger spiritual formulae and greater messages. “He that hath My commandments, and keepth them,
he it is that loveth Me: and he that loveth Me shall be loved of My Father, and I will love him,
and will manifest Myself to him.” “But rather seek ye first the
I thought we should sell some things in our home in order to conduct the retreat, but the meal in the barrel and the oil did not fail. I did not have to sell anything. Prayer is our real support. God has given us men who take on responsibility and manage it perfectly.
A man who seeks his own becomes smaller and smaller till he disappears. A man who spends himself for the
"He shall
cause them that come of Jacob to take root:
It is given to us to prove Him. Everyone that goes from here to any place must be a challenge to others. You just keep close to Him and your fruit will fill the whole earth. Your loved ones may contradict every word of yours. When you are full of the fruits of God, they will desire to learn from you. Your faith will break every barrier and conquer.
-Late Mr. N. Daniel
“A Well-Known Surgeon Speaks Up- The Story
of Dr. Jayasingh”
It
all began when a relative of mine invited me to the Christian worship at the
Laymen’s Evangelical fellowship on a Sunday. I was not able to imagine
how a busy surgeon like me could afford to waste the precious hours of a Sunday
in religious things when I, as I thought then, he should ply his surgery very
diligently and make as much money as possible. Further I did not feel any need
to seek God as I had already been reckoned as an expert surgeon in the city of
I
was born in an ancient Christian town in
My secret life was one of miserable sinfulness, yet with no conviction and skilfully covered up by outward feats and achievements. Even from my boyhood I had been proud. I stole money from home and spent it on myself for sinful and vain pleasures. I was introduced to several youthful sins and evil ways of secret life. I started drinking and the lust of the flesh had a strong hold on me. Furthermore I started despising the things pertaining to religion; I hated going to church; there was a total disregard of spiritual things in my heart. Blinded by academic distinctions, professional success and worldly prosperity, I thought everything was right with me. I kept myself very busy on Sundays driving seventy or eighty miles to perform surgical operations, earning a lot of money, and returning home by nightfall.
It
was at that time, when I was in a depraved condition, morally and spiritually,
my wife was getting religious and started attending a series of special
meetings conducted by the Laymen's Evangelical Fellowship in a church in
By the infinite mercy of God I went again to the Fellowship to take part in the worship on Sundays. As I had not read the Bible for ages, the truths which were preached in the Fellowship sounded somewhat strange to me. However, little by little, the Word of God began to work in my heart. A wondrous work of God's grace commenced in my heart which had been hardened by sin and open rebellion against the things of God. The servants of God started praying for me earnestly: as a result, I was able to understand what God began to speak to me concerning the condition of my heart. How marvellous was the mercy of God which revealed to me step by step the depravity of my own heart!
The Lord Jesus showed me first how I was a robber in His sight. His Word tore off my veneer and I stood exposed and condemned. My Income Tax accounts had not been correct. I was also convicted of how I had helped myself to some medicines in the Hospitals for my private practice. With a flash of convicting light I realized how I had robbed the Railways. The living God of mercy and justice told me that I had robbed the poor as well as the rich by charging exorbitant fees. I had even given false medical certificates to augment my income by certifying some people ill when they were perfectly well. The Lord showed to me poignantly that I had robbed Him by defrauding Him of my tithes and offerings in my state of extreme selfishness and worldliness. It was a sin against society at large too. A deep conviction of sin came upon me when I understood that I had broken the commandment of God which says, 'Thou shalt not steal.' The Lord Jesus then showed me that I had likewise broken all His laws and therefore I could not have peace at all.
With my heart heavy with conviction I went to the servant of God Mr. Daniel for further spiritual counsel and prayer. Just as doctors put their hands on the body of patients, Mr. Daniel put his hands upon my head and prayed and said, 'Brother, there is spiritual darkness in you, and that is why you are not able to understand what God is trying to tell you more.' He prayed over me and asked me to study the Bible and meditate on the Word of God. Mr. Daniel was praying for me as he had assured me that light was coming into my heart. When he prayed over me after some time he told me that the darkness had left me and that I would be able to know what the Lord wanted me to do. With the onset of a deeper conviction, the Lord started showing me how I should set my conscience right before God and man. I went to the Income Tax Officer and paid all my arrears of tax and settled my accounts. I paid money to the hospitals as a compensation for the medicines I had stolen. I offered to God all my arrears in tithes.
As my proud heart got broken in the presence of the loving Saviour, and as I pleaded with Him to pardon me all my disobediences, the Lord led me to confess that I had lived in adultery and in drunkenness in defiance of the holiness and purity of the Lord. I had to confess certain sins to my mother. I asked the pardon of my wife too. Without hiding anything, I opened my heart to the servant of God who lovingly and patiently guided me in all the matters of setting my conscience right. Then to my great amazement there came a great spiritual awakening upon my home and my children began to repent. Oh, what a joy began to fill my heart! I had never tasted such a joy before. I delighted in reading many chapters of the Bible every day, and I felt an urge to memorize many verses of the scripture. This enthusiasm led me to a kind of satisfaction with my spiritual life, and I was in danger of settling down in a kind of half way-house, without being fully delivered.
But the Lord Himself started rebuking me through a few verses of the Scriptures. One day He gave me Psalm 50:16. “But unto the wicked God saith, what hast thou to do to declare my statutes, or that thou shouldest take my covenant in thy mouth?” Thereby the Lord clearly warned me that I did not yet have the true fear of God in me although I had started instructing others in the things of God. I humbled myself and sought the pardon of the Lord. Next, the Lord's sword of the Word of God in Leviticus l9:30 came upon my soul with power: “Ye shall keep my sabbaths and reverence my sanctuary: I am the Lord.” I pleaded with God to forgive me all my lapses with regard to the Lord's day and vowed before Him that I would observe it holily thereafter. Another day the Lord spoke to me through Romans 2:4, “Despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?” I humbled myself before God and asked His pardon for having despised His holy sanctuary and His servants due to my pride in the days of my ignorance.
It
was at this time a peculiar zeal came into me and I started attending every
possible Christian meeting that was held in the city of
The Students' Retreat of the year was going on at the Fellowship then. I heard some of the testimonies of young men and was deeply challenged. In the course of one of his powerful messages, Mr. Daniel asked, “What is the difference between you and a Hindu?- You may be either a doctor or a teacher.” That question went deep into my heart. Indeed, I had repented for my sins in a sense, but, in my heart I did not comprehend in a deep sense that I was a terrible and depraved sinner, desperately wicked and worthy of eternal condemnation. When I reflected on how I had failed God, and how I had been a hindrance to my family, a deep grief over the desperate wickedness of my heart gripped me. I truly broke down in God's presence when I went home and knelt before Him. A deep sense of my own unworthiness possessed my heart. I knew I was a miserable sinner, deserving the punishment of hell.
In
that state of deep brokenness I asked the Lord to show me the great wall that
separated me from Him. Promptly the Lord spoke to me through II Cor.
That meant that I should also leave the house near the sea. I told the Lord, “Yes, Lord, I will.” The Lord showed me a modest house which I could rent and explained to my friend that my God was wanting me to do a different type of medical work and so without any friction or hard feeling we parted.
On moving into the rented house according to the Word of God I asked the Lord, “Lord, if there is still anything between You and me, I am prepared to set it right.” I had a deep assurance of the Spirit that the Lord Himself had removed all the wall of separation between Him and me. One evening as I was alone with the Lord, the Lord spoke to me through Zechariah 3:4, “And he answered and spoke unto those that stood before him saying, Take away the filthy garments from him. And unto him he said, Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment.” Great peace and joy flooded my soul. I knew for the first time that the Lord had begun to dwell within me. I started loving the Lord and the Word of God in a deeper way. The Lord helped me to lead others into the way of peace.
After some time the Lord spoke to me concerning my new work through I Chro. 28:10, “Take heed now, for the Lord hath chosen thee to build an house for the sanctuary: be strong and do it.” The Lord gave me many promises as He led me along the way of faith. Moreover, the Lord touched everyone in my house. Christ became the centre of my home and my life. I understood only then how high and holy was the calling God had given me.
In the new rented premises we commenced our clinic and named it 'Good News Clinic'. The idea was that the good news of the Saviour's love should be given to the patients, together with medical help. Many patients started coming for medical treatment. About a hundred and fifty to two hundred people come to our Gospel clinic each day. Now some of our sisters and brothers are helping me in our clinic. We are giving the Word of God to the patients and we also play the pre-recorded messages during the clinic hours for the patients to hear. We testify to them of the love and power of the Saviour of the world, the Lord Jesus Christ. We invite them to come to the meetings on Sundays. Members of our team deal with the sorrows and problems pressing heavily on the hearts of the patients, right there in the clinic. Our brothers pray over the demon-possessed cases too.
Every Saturday and Sunday we have meetings in our hall. Around six hundred people come and hear God's Word. Most of the evenings of the week, we go to nearby housing colonies of the poor to give them the Word of God. During holidays we visit many villages where the Gospel has never been preached. We do not have medical practice in the evenings. The Lord is strengthening us to do more and more for the poor and needy around us. Some broken homes have been united and the demon-possessed delivered. The Lord is touching many drug addicts and they are changed. We feel that our greatest need is among the young people. Many of them are yet to come into full commitment to God. My wife is taking classes for the illiterate people and their families. I am so grateful for the prayers of others for me.
Once I used to go out to make money on Sundays. But now the Lord is helping me to go and preach and win souls. The Lord is uniting broken homes. Many nominal Christians and non-Christians are being transformed and are living new lives.
This newsletter is produced six times per year by the
Laymen’s Evangelical Fellowship International. It is printed and
distributed in the
This Fellowship
is an inter-denominational missionary and prayer group working for revival in
churches and amongst students in several countries. We invite every layperson
to become God’s ally in changing his or her corner of the world. We train
people in evangelistic work and to be self-supporting missionaries.
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P.O.Box 236, Jalan Kelang Lama, 58700 Kuala Lumpur West Malaysia, Phone
– 019-3260727
or Wisdom Hall, 37 Persiaran Shahbandar, Taman Tambahan Krian VI, 34200 Parit Bundar, Perak, Phone – (05)
7164100 T.K. Ong
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