My dear readers,

(Extract from RPG, January 1987, Edited by Dr SH Tow)

1. PRAYER LIFTS WORRY, GIVES PEACE (Philippians 4:4-7)

Needless worry and undue anxiety sap our spiritual vigor and impede our service for the Lord. This is Satan's subtle snare. Beware lest you fall into it!

Worry, Why worry? What can worry do?
It never keeps a trouble overtaking you.
It causes indigestion and nervousness at night,
And spoils the sunny days, however fair and bright.
It clouds your anxious face and sharpens up your tone;
It fosters unease with others, and unease when alone.
Pray! Why pray? What can prayer do?
Prayer changes things: the Lord will answer you.
It's good for digestion, gives restful sleep at night,
And fills the gloomy days with rays of heavenly light.
It puts a shine upon your face, and good cheer in your tone.
Gives you peace with others and peace when you're alone.
Praise! Why praise? What can praises do?
Praises magnify the name of God and bring new joy to you,
Equip you for the battle, fit you for the fight;
They multiply blessings and sweet songs in the night.
Through daily prayer and praise come Heaven's precious peace
And soon with God in Heaven, our praise shall never cease!

Lord Tennyson wrote this about prayer: "More things are wrought by prayer than this world dream of: For what are men better than sheep or goats if, knowing God, they lift not hands of prayer, both for themselves and those who call them friend?"

KEYNOTE: No prayer no power; much prayer much power!
PRAYER: Lord, teach me to pray in the Spirit.

2. ACCORDING TO HIS RICHES (Philippians 4:14-23)

In the Christian life, one of the hardest lessons to learn is the ministry of giving. The church at Philippi had learnt this lesson and learnt it well. The believers had consistently supported the Apostle Paul with his material needs.

They gave, and gave, and gave again!

The Philippians backed their faith with their works (James 2:14-16). They loved their teacher, so they gave. Paul rejoiced greatly when their gift arrived, for it was an evident token of their renewed concern and love. His mention of the matter was not a hint for more gifts, but to commend and to encourage those who gave.

Forced giving is painful, but spontaneous and liberal giving from right scriptural principles is joyous, blessed and satisfying. Today's passage tells us that

(a) When a believer gives as unto God, God is pleased. As a token of worship, the gift becomes a fragrant sacrifice whose sweet smell ascends to God (v18). But the motive of giving must be right.

(b) God will repay. "My God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus" (Phil 4:19) "And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work.” (2 Cor 9:8)

The needs of God's people and God's work are always present with us. Whenever the needs are made known, what is your response? Ask not, "What has the other person given?" Rather ask, "Lord, what should I give? Thou has given me out of Thy riches in glory. Let me give back to Thee a liberal portion in gratitude to Thee." Remember: “He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully” (2 Cor 9:6). We give according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

Giving to God is no loss. It is putting your money in Heaven's bank. Giving to God is true possessing. "What I spent I had. What I saved I lost. What I gave I have!"

QUESTION: Do you give God "one tenth," or less, or more? Which?
THOUGHT: Giving is sowing. When giving, think of the reaping your gift can do for God'!

3. GOD SHALL SUPPLY ALL YOUR NEED (Philippians 4:14-23)

A grievous famine afflicted the earth. For three years there was no dew or rain. But God sustained His servant Elijah by the brook Cherith, sending ravens to feed him. "And the ravens brought him bread and flesh in the morning, and bread and flesh in the evening; and he drank of the brook" (1 Kings 17:6). When the brook dried up, God sent Elijah to Zarephath, where a widow sustained him with cakes made from meal and oil meant for one last meal. By God's word, the supply to meal and oil was supernaturally sustained for the duration of the famine. (1 Kings 17:16)

In these days of modern science and technology, we seem to think that such wonderful things belong only to the past. How wrong we are. God's power is not diminished and His loving care for His own is unchanged. David Branerd, the famous missionary to the American Indians, was a man of prayer. During one of his journeys to visit the Indians, he was caught in a severe storm. For three days he took shelter in the hollow trunk of a very large tree. For three days, God sent a squirrel which came daily to the tree trunk and deposited nuts at the entrance to the shelter. God sustained his servant by one of the His little creatures.

The Apostle Paul had absolute confidence when he wrote verse 19: "But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus." During the world depression of the 1930s our family faced starvation in our rubber estate in Malaysia. Father's medical training in China was not recognized. The price of rubber had fallen from over $100 to $10. Mother prayed for deliverance. By faith, she urged Father to make a personal appeal to the Authority of the State. Father laughed at such an unlikely and ridiculous suggestion. After many entreaties, Father went. A long period of waiting, and the license was granted! With this license, God supplied our needs for twenty years, until all eight children's education was completed. Truly, God's riches are glorious! His resources never fail! They cannot be exhausted!

THOUGHT: With man, impossible! But not with God!
PRAYER: Lord, thank Thee for Thy provision of daily bread.

God bless you readers.

Yours faithfully in the Saviour’s Service,
Dr SH Tow, Founding Pastor