“Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord” Romans 12:11
Dearly Beloved,
One of the New Year necessities of the people in Tabernacle is Christian service. We need to serve more and the best we can. We must not be lacking in zeal in our service to God.
What is it to be zealous?
When this application is made to the Christian, it means to have a great desire in the heart to serve the Lord and to do His will. It is zeal marked and set for the Lord Jesus Christ, apart from others. In John 4:34, “Jesus saith, my meat is to do the will of Him that sent me to finish His work.” Matthew 20:28, “Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto but to minister and to give his life a ransom for many.” The disciples followed in the Master’s footsteps and being full of zeal for the cause of the Gospel, were persecuted and suffered the loss of their precious lives.
What is true zeal?
Cults are people full of enthusiasm and zeal in spreading their false teachings without the realization that their zeal is an ignorant zeal. True zeal comes from the true God of heaven and true zeal is based on the knowledge of the true God. The Apostle Paul in his defense of the Gospel, testified before the unbelieving Jews that he did evil out of ignorance and unbelief. His zeal was not based on the knowledge of who the true God was when he persecuted the Church. a) True zeal comes from the right motives and gives no place for selfishness, and pride for self-glorification. b) True zeal helps one to grow in holiness and to be Christ-like.
Why should anyone be zealous?
The Lord wants us to be zealous for Him. A Christian who is zealous is filled with joy and peace at all times. Those who enjoy Christ to the maximum are those who will serve Him with maximum zeal. A zealous Christian looks to Christ as an example, who in turn is an example to others for having zeal in the Lord’s work. Never say that your Christian life at the beginning of your conversion experience was better than what you have today. And let it not be true to describe any of us for not doing too much for the Lord because we have taken the easy way out and are not prepared to live the Christian life that Christ wants us to live. An old Puritan said, “ I am going to live until I die and then I am going to live forever.” Living is about standing for Christ and serving Christ. Christ gave us the supreme example of how to live a zealous life toward God. Therefore, let us imitate Him.
Elder Douglas Ho
How to Pray – III
1. How often should we pray?
Pray often ‘Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray ….’ (Psa 55:17).
‘…. in every thing by prayer and supplication ….’ (Phil 4:6).
‘Pray without ceasing’ (1 Thess 5:17).
2. How loud should we pray?
‘As for me, I will call upon God …. and cry aloud ….’ (Psa 55:16, 17) .
Hannah prayed in her heart ‘…. but her voice was not heard ….’ (1 Sam 1:13).
But God answered!
3. How long should we pray?
The thief on the cross : ‘…. Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom’ (Lk 23:42)
The publican in the temple : ‘…. God be merciful to me a sinner’ (Lk 18:13)
Both were justified!
Effective praying need not be loud or long.
(Adapted from 66 Pocket Prayers, S H Tow)