Evangel Bible-Presbyterian Church Melaka

29/12/2019

Living Out Your Faith - Elder Chia Ah Lak (29.12.2019)

22/12/2019

How To Love the Hard To Love - Pr. Yap Kim Chuan (22.12.2019)

15/12/2019

The salvation in Christ - Rev Ho Chee Lai (15.12.2019)

09/12/2019

09/12/2019

09/12/2019

09/12/2019

09/12/2019

10/08/2019

Lessons from the Prayer of Jabez - 1 Chron. 4:9–10
INTRODUCTION
The first nine chapters of 1 Chronicles are taken up with the official family tree of the Hebrew tribes, beginning with Adam and proceeding through thousands of years to Israel's return from captivity. The long lists of unfamiliar and difficult names—more than five hundred of them—are likely to make even the bravest Bible student skip these chapters. Note that forty-four names into the chapter, a story suddenly breaks through:
Now Jabez was more honorable than his brothers…
Something about this man Jabez had caused the historian to pause. "Ah, wait a minute!" he seems to interject. "You just got to know something about this guy named Jabez. He stands head and shoulders above the rest and despite his circumstances!"
Perhaps you deal with problems caused by your background or upbringing. Or maybe you live with unchangeable circumstances that affect your life in a major way. If so, learn from Jabez.

I. The Person (v. 9)
Verse 9 records two matters concerning the history of Jabez: his achievement of outstanding honor and the ominous (inauspicious, ill-boding) name given him by his mother. His achievement was noteworthy in the light of his adverse background.

Adverse Background.
The name Jabez means “sorrow” or “pain.” His mother bore him in sorrow, which may mean that she had a difficult childbirth, or that the circumstances of her family were distressing. Whatever the cause of her grief, her gloomy reaction in giving him this name destined the boy throughout his life to be the symbol of her sorrow. Whatever the case, Jabez turned pain into prayer. If you feel like a victim, you can follow Jabez’s example by praying to God instead of allowing the circumstances of life to overwhelm you.

B. Outstanding Honor.
In spite of his unfavorable background, Jabez made good in life. Early Jewish writers connected Jabez with the town of that name mentioned in 1 Chronicles 2:55 and concluded that he was an eminent doctor in the law. They held that his learning drew so many scholars around him that the place where they resided came to be called by his name. If this conjecture is true, this was a reputable man of the Word. His achievement is a challenge to all who feel that they are severely restricted by an unfortunate environment or inevitably defeated by a personal handicap.
Actually, the Biblical account connects the eminence of Jabez with the fact that he was a man of prayer. He excelled his brothers in the realm of fellowship with God, resulting in his excellence of character. Jabez stood unquestionably first as a man of piety.
Application: Here is a field of ministry that is open to everyone regardless of the limitations or unfavorable circumstances under which he may live.
II. The Petitions (v. 10a):
Let’s look at the prayer to discover why God was so pleased with his prayer to have it forever recorded in scripture.

A. To whom he prayed. “And Jabez called on the God of Israel.” One can view the expression “the God of Israel” in two different ways.
1) The reference may be to the man Jacob who became Israel. Jabez well knew the story of Jacob and how God had changed him from a deceiver into a prince and may well have believed that if God could do that for Jacob, surely He could also help him. And the God who transformed Jacob into Israel is still able to change the lives of those who will give Him an opportunity to do so. Have we given the God of Jacob an opportunity to show what He can do with us?

2) It is more probable, however, that in calling upon “the God of Israel,” Jabez thought of Him as the God of the nation of Israel.
Being a member of that covenant nation, Jabez could call upon “the God of Israel” in full assurance of faith that he would receive an audience with God. Application: We too, who have been brought near to God through the New Covenant established in Christ Jesus, can call upon Him in full assurance of access to Him--see Heb. 4:16.

B. What he prayed.
Jabez was explicit in his requests. He gave expression in his prayer to four distinct petitions:
1. For GRACE: “Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed.”
Jabez realized that all true blessings come from God: “Oh that Thou wouldest bless me.”
Jabez ardently desired a definite personal blessing from his God. “Bless me indeed” carries an intensive force in the original. He was not content with a vague feeling of general well-being but wanted to experience the divine blessing in a definite, personal way.
My friends, do you feel like your spiritual life is dry & stagnated? You need to pray that God would bless you and bring a new fire in your soul; a new passion for God; a new zeal for serving him; a new desire to have your life be a blessing to others.

2. For GROWTH: In praying “and enlarge my coast,” (or border), Jabez was praying for more land to possess. The setting may be viewed in one of two different ways.
a) Jabez may be thought of as preparing to wrest more of the Promised Land from the Canaanites. The Lord reminded Joshua shortly before his death that “there remaineth yet very much land to be possessed” (Josh. 13:1). Thus Jabez may be pictured as asking God to give him more of that which He had promised to His people. Or
b) Jabez may be viewed as asking God to enable him to restore the fortunes of his family in Israel as he seeks to repossess all of the land given to his family by divine allotment. If so, he is seeking to repair the failures of the past within the family circle and to renew the hopes of the rising generation for the future.
Under either view Jabez cannot be charged with selfishness in asking for divine enlargement. He rightly desired to possess more of that which God had intended for His people to have.
Application: Perhaps it is time for some of you to pray like Jabez.
Jabez was not content to be in a spiritual rut; are you?
Maybe some of you need to get out of your comfort zone in serving God & stop limiting God:
Instead of saying I can’t do this, say I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me! If God gives you a task, He will enable you.
3. For GUIDANCE: “And that thine hand might be with me.”
The “hand of God” here denotes His guiding presence and His empowerment. Jabez knew that God must lead him, but he also realized his need of the manifestation of God’s power in his behalf.
His petition was a confession of his own weakness. When he looked at himself he felt as helpless to achieve his goal as did the ten spies, but unlike the ten spies he had the faith of Joshua and Caleb which looked to God for the needed empowerment.
Application: The secret of the empowered life is to be found in continued “abiding” in Christ. “He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing” (John 15:5).
My beloved friends, begin to pray for the hand of God to be upon your life so that you can accomplish something great for Him. May it be something so great that when it comes to pass, you and everyone else will have to say, “This had to be the hand of God!”
For GUARDIANSHIP: “And that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me.” Jabez further asked to be kept from evil because he knew and feared its sorrowful consequences. He realized that left to himself he would inevitably succumb to the power of evil.
He wanted to be protected from the harm of evil, but he also wanted to be kept from sinning, because he knew that sin causes pain. It brings pain into the life of the one who commits it, and it brings pain into the lives of those whom the sin was committed against. But most of all, sin grieves God. It will strip you of God’s blessing and destroy your effectiveness.

III. The Answer (v. 10b): “And God granted him that which he requested.
Jabez received what he asked for. This answer is evidence that his prayer was in the will of God for him. His experience confirmed that prayer out of a true heart and according to His will receives God’s answer.

Challenge
If you could ask God to bless you in some way, what would it be?
In what way are you limiting what God wants to do through you?
Will you turn your pain into prayer?

30/06/2019

DO CHRISTIANS GET DEPRESSED?

Depression is a very common experience among Christians and non-Christians. You and I at one time or another experience it. Of the Christian, some may ask, “How can that happen? I thought Jesus has given him a full and meaningful life (John 10:10). How can he be depressed? This sounds contradictory!”

Do Christians get depressed? The answer is a resounding yes. The Scriptures and the history of the church tell us that depression is a common phenomenon among God’s people especially in those who are in leadership. David was a good example. In his depressive Psalms, he often lamented, “Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? (Psalm 42:5, 6; 43:5) Elijah, the great prophet of God who killed 450 false prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel, feared Jezebel and fled from her crying, “O LORD, take away my life” (1 Kings 19:4). Jonah, a run-away missionary, having preached to the people of Nineveh and seen them repent from their sins, said, “O LORD, take, I beseech thee, my life from me; for it is better for me to die than to live” (Jonah 4:3). Jesus, when He was in the Garden of Gethsemane praying for the will of God to be done in His life, exhibited His humanity by strong crying and tears to His Father, “My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death” (Matthew 26:38; Hebrews 5:7).

There are many depressed and dejected preachers of the Word in the Church of Jesus Christ. Samuel Logan Brengle was one of them. He was a great saint of the Salvation Army. In a letter, he wrote, “My nerves were ragged, frazzled, exhausted. And such gloom and depression fell upon me as I have never known, although depression is an old acquaintance of mine.” Depression is no respecter of persons.

Signs of Depression

Depression is a sickness. Some people get over it in a short time; others take a little longer. But for some people, it prolongs indefinitely and eventually it leads to suicidal tendencies. And that is tragic!

What are some signs of depression? Depression comes in many forms. Let me share with you seven symptoms of depression. First, a person who is depressed and dejected has a miserable countenance. He looks troubled, worried, melancholic, inactive, moody, unfriendly and unhappy. Second, depression either brings a loss of appetite or a problem of overeating. Some do not feel like eating. Others overeat and suffer severe health problems. Third, tears are a common symptom of depression. David knew it well. He said, “My tears have been my meat day and night” (Psalm 42:3). David’s tears had become his meat day and night. Unable to stop crying, he fed on despair that led to further depression. Fourth, every bout of depression is an attempt to get us to distrust God. Our focus becomes blurred. We begin to question God’s faithfulness, love, care and concern. We are unable to appreciate His magnanimities. Fifth, a depressed person is unable to make good decisions. He does not have the ability to reason well. Everything is murky to him. Sixth, sleeplessness is a common symptom of depression. Physically he is tired but mentally, he is highly alert. Seventh, a depressed person is a worried person. Consequently, he becomes incapacitated. He cannot function normally.

Is Depression a Sign of Spiritual Failure?

Depression is not necessarily a sign of spiritual failure. Some of the greatest depressions came as emotional letdowns following certain successes. What happened to the lion-hearted Elijah after that greatest moment in his life at Mount Carmel? Why should he be so depressed by Jezebel’s threat? Where did he run to? We find him sitting alone under the juniper tree lamenting and asking God to take his life (1 Kings 19:4). Depression seems to be nature’s emotional kickback or nature’s recoil. C.S. Lewis calls it “the law of undulation” in the human personality.

Some depression is caused by physical problems. Improper diet, lack of exercise and lack of sleep can all contribute to depression. Illnesses can cause depression. Some medications also can cause depression. Therefore, we must not be too quick to counsel others who are suffering from depression. Before we can deal with it, we must have an understanding of it. Is it physical or spiritual or mental or social?

But unfortunately, some of our Christian friends, out of a kind heart, but who have little knowledge of it, try to counsel depressed brethren and unwittingly, offer unwise and unrealistic advice that add to their woes. Therefore, let us not hasten ourselves to it, but let us equip ourselves first before we reach out to brethren who are downhearted and depressed with good counsel from the Word of God.

However, depression can come from the guilt of sin or known disobedience or transgression. David was obviously in deep depression. He lamented in Psalm 38:3-8, “There is no soundness in my flesh because of thine anger; neither is there any rest in my bones because of my sin. For mine iniquities are gone over mine head: as an heavy burden they are too heavy for me. My wounds stink and are corrupt because of my foolishness. I am troubled; I am bowed down greatly; I go mourning all the day long. For my loins are filled with a loathsome disease: and there is no soundness in my flesh. I am feeble and sore broken: I have roared by reason of the disquietness of my heart.”

Sin may lead to depression, but all depression does not come from sin. May God grant us much wisdom from above to be a good counselor to those who are depressed!

How to overcome Depression?

Can depression be overcome? The answer is a resounding yes. Let me suggest seven remedies to depression.

1. Be thankful to God for the trial

Sometimes our prayer brings no relief. We seem to have lost the spirit of prayer. However, as we begin to thank God for our trial, it begins to turn into blessing. Though the light begins to glimmer but then it soon breaks through the gloom. The depression passes away. Life becomes beautiful and desirable again.

2. Avoid being Alone

When you are depressed you don’t want to be around people. You want to withdraw. But withdrawing means isolation, and isolation during depression means alienation. You need to force yourself to be with people. Joining a Fellowship is a good idea (Hebrews 3:12, 13; 10:24, 25).

3. Seek help from godly Christians

During depression your whole perception changes. A little hill becomes a huge mountain. You need help. Godly Christians can help you see a bigger picture and give you godly advice.

4. Sing or make Music

Music is second to theology. Good Christian music is a good therapy. The beautiful music played by David was able to lift up King Saul’s moods of depression (1 Samuel 16:14-23). Consequently, he was delivered from depression.

5. Rest confidently in the Presence of God

Here lies David’s secret of deliverance from depression. He encouraged himself, “Hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance” (Psalm 42:5; 43:5). Jeremiah said, “The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him. The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him. It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD” (Lamentation 3:24-26). Seeking God’s face means coming into His presence (Psalm 27:8; 1 Chronicles 16:10, 11; 1 Samuel 30:6).

6. Rely on the Word of God

God’s Word is powerful. It is sharper than any double-edged sword and it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart (Hebrews 4:12). The Word is able to minister to us during times of depression. Jeremiah said, “Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart” (15:16; Job 23:12). Read it and be ministered by it.

7. Rest on God’s Promises.

C.H. Spurgeon often suffered depression in his ministry. Here is an account from his “Faith’s Check Book” entitled “Immortal Till Work Done.”

“I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the Lord” (Psalm 118:17). A fair assurance this! It was no doubt based upon a promise, inwardly whispered in the psalmist’s heart, which he seized upon and enjoyed. Is my case like that of David? Am I depressed because the enemy affronts me? Are there multitudes against me and few on my side? Does unbelief bid me lie down and die in despair – a defeated, dishonored man? Do my enemies begin to dig my grave?

What then? Shall I yield to the whisper of fear, and give up the battle, and with it give up all hope? Far from it. There is life in me yet: “I shall not die.” Vigor will return and remove my weakness: “I shall live.” The Lord lives, and I shall live also. My mouth shall again be opened: “I shall declare the works of Jehovah.” Yes, and I shall speak of the present trouble as another instance of the wonder-working faithfulness and love of the Lord my God. Those who would gladly measure me for my coffin had better wait a bit, for “the Lord hath chastened me sore, but he hath not given me over unto death.” Glory be to His name forever! I am immortal till my work is done. Till the Lord wills it, no vault can close upon me.

This is how Spurgeon overcame depression by clinging on God’s promises – “I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the Lord.” How about us?

Dearly beloved, are you depressed? Do not be dismayed. God is still on the throne. He will deliver you in His good time (1 Corinthians 10:13). Look at the seven remedies again and have confidence in His Word. Paul said, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Philippians 4:13). Yes, in Christ, we are more than conquerors (Romans 8:37). Do you believe it?

Do not hesitate to call your pastor or mature Christians for help. They are there for you and your welfare. Amen.

Rev Colin Wong