School of Worship Mentorship

24/10/2024

Church leaders, specially Church musicians are invited to this evening in Stuntzabad.

22/10/2024

"True Success: Rooted in Submission, Faithfulness, and Trust in God"

Introduction
Success is a word that evokes images of wealth, power, and achievement in our world today. However, the Bible provides a radically different vision of what it means to succeed. In God’s Kingdom, success is not measured by status or accumulation of material goods but by obedience, trust, and perseverance in the mission God has given us. Success is often measured by society's standards—wealth, fame, and influence. But for Christians, true success is defined not by external achievements, but by a life aligned with God’s will. It is rooted in humble submission to His authority, unwavering faithfulness in the tasks He entrusts to us, and diligent work that glorifies Him.
This article will explore three foundational keys to success that Christians can apply to every area of life: submission to God, faithfulness to His calling, and hard work in the field God has entrusted to us, all while trusting in His sovereign plan. These principles not only lead to success in the eyes of God but bring peace, purpose, and lasting joy.

1. Submission to God
At the heart of biblical success is submission to God. To submit means to place oneself under God’s authority, acknowledging that He alone knows the best path for our lives. The world teaches us to strive for independence, but the Bible calls us to surrender. As James 4:7 reminds us, "Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you."
Jesus modeled perfect submission in the Garden of Gethsemane when He prayed, "Not my will, but yours be done" (Luke 22:42). This kind of submission does not come naturally, but it is essential for success. When we submit to God, we align our hearts with His will and invite His guidance and blessing into our lives.
Mary, the mother of Jesus, also demonstrated submission when she said, "I am the Lord’s servant. May your word to me be fulfilled" (Luke 1:38). Submission to God is not passive resignation but active trust in His plan.
Scriptural References:
• James 4:7
• Romans 12:1-2
• Proverbs 3:5-6

2. Faithfulness to God
Faithfulness is a hallmark of a successful Christian life. It is about being consistent and reliable in our relationship with God and the responsibilities He gives us. Jesus emphasized the importance of faithfulness in the Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30). Those who were faithful with what they were given were rewarded with even greater responsibilities.
In Luke 16:10, Jesus said, "Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much." Faithfulness in the small things prepares us for greater tasks. The apostle Paul writes, "Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful" (1 Corinthians 4:2). God honors those who remain faithful to Him even when the road is difficult, and through this faithfulness, true success is achieved.
Scriptural References:
• Matthew 25:23
• Luke 16:10
• 1 Corinthians 4:2

3. Hard Work in Your Field
The Bible is clear that hard work is a vital ingredient for success. Proverbs 12:24 tells us, "Diligent hands will rule, but laziness ends in forced labor." Hard work reflects God’s character and our obedience to His command to "work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men" (Colossians 3:23).
Whether we are in ministry, business, or any other field, our work should be done with excellence. Ecclesiastes 9:10 urges us, "Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might." Hard work brings glory to God, provides for our needs, and allows us to serve others. Success often requires a persistent commitment to laboring for God’s Kingdom, knowing that we are working for eternal rewards, not just earthly recognition.
Scriptural References:
• Proverbs 12:24
• Colossians 3:23-24
• Ecclesiastes 9:10

4. Trusting God
The final and overarching principle is trust in God. We can work hard, be faithful, and submit to His will, but without trust, we can become weary or discouraged. Proverbs 3:5-6 exhorts us, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight."
Biblical success does not always look like worldly success. Sometimes it means enduring trials or waiting patiently for God’s timing. Abraham, for example, trusted God for years before seeing the fulfillment of God’s promise for a son. Job trusted God even in the midst of severe suffering, and his trust was rewarded when God restored him.
Trust is the foundation that allows us to persevere in submission, faithfulness, and hard work. As Isaiah 26:3-4 declares, "You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you."
Scriptural References:
• Proverbs 3:5-6
• Psalm 37:4-5
• Isaiah 26:3-4

Conclusion
In a world that defines success by power, wealth, and influence, Christians are called to a higher standard—one that revolves around submission to God’s will, faithfulness in our relationship with Him, diligent effort in our vocations, and unwavering trust in His plan. True success is not measured by worldly standards but by our obedience to God’s call and the fruit that comes from it.
Let us strive to submit, remain faithful, work diligently, and trust wholeheartedly in God, knowing that "the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations" (Psalm 33:11).

Bibliography
1. The Holy Bible, New International Version (NIV). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2011.
2. The Holy Bible, New American Standard Bible (NASB). La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995.
3. Chambers, Oswald. My Utmost for His Highest. Grand Rapids, MI: Discovery House, 1935.
4. Lewis, C.S. Mere Christianity. New York, NY: HarperOne, 1952.
5. Piper, John. Don’t Waste Your Life. Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2003.
6. Keller, Timothy. Every Good Endeavor: Connecting Your Work to God's Plan for the World. New York, NY: Dutton, 2012.
7. Tozer, A.W. The Pursuit of God. Camp Hill, PA: Christian Publications, 1948.
8. MacDonald, Gordon. Ordering Your Private World. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 1985.
9. Wright, N.T. After You Believe: Why Christian Character Matters. New York, NY: HarperOne, 2010.

Author: Shaukat Masih
Director, School of Worship Mentorship
Southern Punjab, Pakistan
For Urdu content, please visit https://youtube.com/?si=9uIivKwK0Jga5ZAg
Email : [email protected]

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06/10/2024

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05/10/2024

Humility & Discernment
Humility is a choice we make, but discernment is a gift from God. Humility won't be forced upon us by God; it comes from within. We have the power to humble ourselves or not. On the other hand, the spirit of discernment is granted by God to those who seek it. If you thirst for it and ask, the Father in heaven will graciously provide it.

"God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble." (James 4:6)
"If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him." (James 1:5)

— Pastor Shaukat Masih

04/10/2024

Worship Service
Date: 6th October 2024
Time: 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Location: Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church, Sahiwal

I had the privilege of leading a worship service at the Associate Reformed Presbyterian (ARP) Church in Sahiwal. I extend my sincere gratitude to Rev. Naveed Kashif, Vice Moderator of the ARP Church, for graciously opening the doors of the church for this powerful service. The presence of the Holy Spirit was truly evident, as 120 believers gathered and were profoundly blessed.

The service began with a reading from Psalm 24, emphasizing that Jesus is the King of Kings. Following this, we worshiped through traditional Punjabi psalms, beautifully accompanied by the harmonium, tabla, and dholak, creating a spiritually rich atmosphere.

I also had a meaningful discussion with the church leadership regarding a future event—a potential worship workshop for 150 worship leaders from the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Churches in the surrounding area. We are tentatively planning to hold this event in January 2025. The goal of this workshop will be to equip worship leaders for deeper spiritual and musical engagement in their communities.

I humbly ask for continued prayers as we seek to expand our reach to more churches and communities for the glory of God.

Regards,
Rev. Shaukat Masih
School of Worship Mentorship, Southern Punjab, Pakistan

26/09/2024

Good day everyone,This is about 25-09-2024
A timely reminder for all in ministry:
15Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of lifec—is not from the Father but is from the world. 17And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.

In 1 John 2:15-17,
the apostle John gives us an inspiring reminder to stay firmly anchored in our calling and resist the pull of worldly desires. "Don't love the world or the things in the world... For all that is in the world – the desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes, and the pride of life – is not from the Father but from the world."

As ministers, we have the amazing opportunity to be in the world but not of it! The lure of temporary pleasures and self-glory can sometimes distract us, but God's will alone leads to eternal life. Let's choose the eternal, reject worldly distractions and walk in His purpose daily!

1 John 2:15-17 talks about three types of temptations in the world. "Fleshly desires, worldly desires, and pride." Scholars offer more insights into these phrases.

Desires of the Flesh: This means cravings that come from our sinful nature and our bodies. Scholars say it means any physical or sensual thing that makes us go away from God. It includes sexual immorality, gluttony and laziness. The "flesh" symbolises human nature and its corrupt desires.

Key Insight: Augustine and other early church fathers saw this as giving in to pleasure over discipline. It's not what the body needs, but what it wants that leads to sin.

Desires of the Eyes: This means wanting what we see, which can lead to greed, envy, or lust. Our eyes show us material temptations. We want to possess things that please us, like wealth, beauty, or power.

Insight: Scholars like John Calvin and Matthew Henry say this temptation is caused by materialism and comparing ourselves to others. Jesus said that our eyes are like a lamp, and that a sinful gaze shows a sinful heart (Matthew 6:22-23).

Pride of Life: This is when we are arrogant, self-important, or boast about our status, achievements, or possessions. It's the temptation to find identity and security in what we have rather than in God. The "pride of life" often manifests in the pursuit of recognition, power, or success.
Insight: This is about wanting human approval, not God's. Scholars like Augustine say that this pride is often the most dangerous form of sin because it makes us forget that we depend on God.

The desires of the flesh appeal to physical indulgence. The desires of the eyes lead us to covet material possessions or appearances. The pride of life drives us toward self-glorification and arrogance. John says these temptations are fleeting and not from God. Pursuing them leads away from God's will.

Rev Shaukat Masih

17/09/2024

"Dear Church Leadership, I sincerely appreciate your efforts in sharing this article with emerging worship leaders, contributing to their growth and development in worship ministry.