My dear readers,

1. The continuing blessing of Family Worship

The Japanese Occupation brought its perils and trials never experienced before. Suddenly our lives were made to follow a new routine: no more schools to attend, only Japanese language schools. Our outlook was suddenly "Japan orientated." For example, those good students in the Japanese language schools were sent to Japan for further studies, to return one day as Japanese language teachers.

As for our family in Batu Pahat, Father called for "Family Worship" morning and night. It was somewhat like a "military regime." With his strict discipline we children, with our parents, assembled morning and night for "Family Worship" – one hour each time. We sang "John Sung Songs and Choruses" and read the Chinese Bible in Teochew dialect, under the direction of Father (strict regime, rigidly enforced).

For some 2 years we read the Word of God in Teochew (under Father’s direction, using a Chinese Bible Commentary). In 2 years we covered the entire Bible, "cover to cover." This was a "by product" of the Japanese Occupation! But, thank God, we were never subject to any sort of Japanese interference.

Yes, all thanks to God (and Dr John Sung’s revival) we were greatly blessed with the solid grounding of God’s Word (in our native tongue, though).

The Japanese Occupation was 1942-45, a 4-year interruption. Thank God we learnt the value of "Daily Family Worship" – morning and evening.

2. Do you have Family Worship?

When I asked a member, the answer was: "Yes, once or twice a week." My response was: "Good, but not enough." Every home should have Family Worship regularly – with the children, Father and Mother.

The only exception is "Homes without families." The idea is to inculcate the habit (like eating) of "feeding on God’s Word" regularly – daily. (I am always happy to speak to anyone about this point – just "you and I.")

But, make "Family Worship" a really joyous event. Parents, you know what I mean, so that no child will feel "compelled" or "reluctant."

Those who have come to my home for "family dinner" will know what I mean. Make "Family Worship" a happy and enjoyable gathering – so that the praying or speaking to God and the singing of choruses and hymns will not ever become "boring" or "burdensome."

I was so delighted that copies of our "Family Worship" songbook – "John Sung Songs and Choruses" – are sold out! We have produced 200 more copies for 23 February! But please gather for "Family Worship" nightly,without fail! When the children grow up, with Family Worship habit, you will "thank God" for it.

The Family which has "nightly Family worship" will become strong in the Lord and in the knowledge of God’s Word – well reinforced against the evils in the world.

3. "Behold, He cometh with clouds!" (Rev 1:7)

On that day, you and I will rejoice with joy unspeakable! The Lord returns for you and me. What a joy it will be!

As I prepared my message, I came across new Bible words. Here I share with readers my "new knowledge." The foundation of the City of God was made of the following stones (Rev 21:19-20):

1. jasper: a biblical "precious stone" probably an opaque green quartz

2. sapphire: a brilliant precious variety of corundum, generally of a beautiful blue

3. chalcedony: a kind of quartz with greyish or milky colour

4. emerald: a bright green precious stone

5. sardonyx: a variety of onyx stone

6. sardius: one of the precious stones in the breastplate of the priest

7. chrysolyte: (no entry in Webster or Chambers).

8. beryl: a very hard lustrous mineral, usually blue, green, pink or yellow

9. topaz: aluminium silicate, usually white, yellow, pale blue, pale green

10. chrysoprasus: a light green variety of chalcedony

11. jacinth: reddish-yellow stone

12. amethyst: a purple/violet variety of quartz

(These 12 stones took me over 4 hours to get the dictionary meaning!)

God bless you in your experience of Family Worship. Keep it up, every night. God bless.

Yours in the Saviour’s love,

Dr SH Tow, Sr Pastor