Author Archives: Calvin Tan

“The LORD Our God Is Not Interested In Mega Churches Or Big Catheral. Our LORD says, “When The Son Of Man Cometh, Shall He Find Faith On The Earth?(luke 18:8)”. Our LORD is looking for Faith, Genuine Faith In Him & Him alone.

God found one man in the Old Testament as an example of Tenacious Faith – Faith That Prevails. Recorded in James 5:16b are these potent words, “THE EFFECTUAL FERVENT PRAYER OF A RIGHTEOUS MAN AVAILETH MUCH.” Elijah was no different from us for it says, “Elijah was a man subject to similar  passions as we are..”

Elijah went through 3 Examples Of Total Dependance Upon Jehovah God in Divine Protection & Provision.

No.1. FED BY RAVENS

After he obeyed God  in delivering the Message of Judgement to the wicked King Ahab that there will be no rainfall for 3 years and 6 months, he was told by God to hide himself by the  mountain brook called Cherith. God said, “Thou shalt drink of the brook; and I have commanded the ravens to feed thee there (1 Kings 17:4)” The ravens as we know are unclean birds. But God chose them to do His work. Why not the eagles or sparrows?

Elijah was a Wanted Man. After one year of drought a desperate warrant for his arrest is issued nationwide.  No man dare to give him protection or provision. So he has to hide by the narrow mountain brook. Eagles’ with a wingspan of 5 to 6 feet cannot enter or leave the cramped space of the narrow brook, so God did not use the eagle. Neither the sparrows, they can’t carry much weight of food for a fully grown man like Elijah. So the All Wise God chose versatile ravens to do the job.

What  humiliation!, a fully  grown man receiving bread and flesh from ravens. Never in his imagination during normal times did he envisioned that  these detestable scavenging birds would one day be his chosen benefactors. Such is the mysterious ways God train his servant. To lay low his pride & put full confidence in God – The Living God Alone!

His Daily Prayer. His Effectual Fervent Prayer Continued Day By Day. And he saw the answer to his prayers. Right before his eyes he saw the brook Cherith shrinking in volume – till  “the brook dried up, because there had been no rain in the land”.

No.2. FED BY POOR WIDOW WOMAN FACING IMMINENT DEATH.

God knows His servant’s need. He says, “Arise, get thee to Zarephath, which belongeth to Zidon, and dwell there: behold, I have commanded a widow woman there to sustain thee.”  Not a widow from Israel; but a widow from a heathen country, a Zidonian who worship the goddess Ashtoreth. An unclean bird fed him. Now God commanded a widow woman from an unclean nation to sustain him. It was implicit obedience without questioning God.

Arriving on the scene, Elijah might have thought that this widow had inherited a fortune from her deceased husband. Abundant provision? Did not Full Gospel Doctrine tell us that By believing Jehovah God there will be guaranteed health and wealth? Health & Wealth Teachings Are So Prevalent today? Abject poverty?  This is The Reality!

Oh no Elijah, what you actually witnessed is your God’s Power in Holding Back Rain Even In Distant Land Here. Famine has devastated this poor widow. She is now gathering firewood to bake her last meal. She is actually facing imminent death. Listen to her pathetic words, “I am gathering two sticks, that I may go in and dress it for me and my son, that we may eat it, and die 1 Kings 17:12)

Faith, mighty faith welled up from Elijah’s soul as he proclaimed, ‘For thus saith the LORD God of Israel, The barrel of meal shall not waste, neither the cruse of oil fail, until the day that the LORD sendeth rain upon the earth ( 1 Kg.17:14)

Though faith is like a very small mustard seed – if allowed to grow in suitable condition. Suitable Condition? Not in high sounding, noisy, men entertaining Churches. Not in feasting & merry go lucky ways of the world. Where? In quietness  & in confidence is your strength. In The Meditation Of God’s Word, FOR FAITH COMETH BY HEARING, AND  HEARING  BY THE WORD OF GOD  (Never By Tongue Speaking  Or Loud Clapping)

FAITH, MIGHT FAITH, LAUGHS AT UNBELIEVE, AND CRY, IT SHALL BE DONE!

Mount Carmel’s Sacrifice Is An Outward Testimony Of Elijah’s Life. The Bullock Represents Elijah’s Total Consecration – Death To His Pride, Death To His Own Will – That He Might Do The Will Of God – And God Alone!

THE FIRE THAT FELL IS A TYPE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.

A Revivalist says, “THE FIRE WILL NOT FALL IF THERE IS NO SACRIFICE ON THE ALTAR”

IS YOUR ALL ON THE ALTAR OF SACRIFICE LAID?

     YOUR HEART DOES THE SPIRIT CONTROL?

YOU CAN ONLY BE BLEST AND HAVE PEACE AND SWEET REST

     AS YOU YIELD HIM YOUR BODY AND SOUL…

SEE HOW THE FIRE FELL:

IT FELL FROM HEAVEN (Not Worked Up By Emotion Like Ahab’s False Prophets)

IT BURNT UP THE BULLOCK

IT BURNT DOWNWARD THE WOOD

IT BURNT FURTHER DOWN THE BIG STONES

IT BURNT UP THE SOIL ON THE GROUND

IT BURNT & DRIED UP FOUR BARRELS OF WATER!

No.3. FED BY ANGELS

Even with the execution of 850 false prophets & the Conversion Of Thousands From Baal Worship To Jehovah, the wicked queen Jezebel did not bat an eyelid & wanted to kill Elijah.

You see, winning a Mighty  Battle At Mt Carmel does not automaically enable us to win another. Winning Spiritual Battle is Always By God’s Divine Grace & Power. We are only vessels. So Elijah ran for dear life. Elijah did not wait for Instruction. If he did he need not flee at all. He heard God said, “I commanded the ravens to feed thee THERE.” Again, “I have commanded a widow woman THERE to sustain thee (1 Kg. 17:9)  THERE, THERE Elijah Is The Only Place Of Protection & Provision!  YES! THERE IS WHERE THE CENTER OF HIS WILL! And  Inside His Will Is Invinsibility!

Alas! Elijah run ahead of God’s Will. BUT Our God Is The Kind & Compassionate God.

Hungry, tired  & thirsty he laid down under a juniper tree and requested for death. Where? It was a day’s journey in the desert – 22 miles.  No ravens to bring him  flesh?  No poor widow woman to bake him cake? You Shall Not Be Served By Birds Or Man Elijah. You Shall Be Served By Angels. God never fails to take care of His own.

You see, the First miracle involves ravens bringing him food. Is it miraculous? Animals like dog, chimpanzees, dolphins and even birds have been taught to fetch things. Yes, it  is a miracle. But men have trained animals to do wonders, too. So what?

The Second Miracle Of Multiplying Flour & Bread Is True Miracle Because There Is a Creative Act.

The Third Miracle Is Unmistakable! Angel appeared & disappeared out of no where. If you believe God – you will see Greater & Greater Things Of Wonders. Our God Is A God Of Wonders.

Where Is The Place For Prosperity Gospel here? No money at all is mentioned here. Ravens certainly do not use money. Poor widow woman has none.  Neither does the angel. The proponent of propsterity gospel says,”Jesus entered Jerusalem riding a lowly donkey – the equivalent of a Mercedes in his time.” They say  that the soldiers cast lot for his seamless garment because it is of high value. Jesus must be rich.

What did Jesus say? He says, “The foxes have holes, the birds of the air have nests but the Son of Man hath no where to rest his head.” He also says,”Them that wear soft raiment (expensive clothes) are in the king’s palaces”. The lowly donkey is equivalent to the cheapest  Daihatsu Mira In Japan Or Kancil in Malaysia.

Be very careful of these modern day false teachers who are out to make merchandise of you. They do not deny themselves, nor bear any crosses which is a must if we want to be His true disciples.  Ahab has 850 prophets against One Man Elijah. The Majority must by right? No, they were all false. So are the Mega Churches who never preach against sin. There is a missing note of repentance; and therefore the majority are neither born again or have experience the new birth.

God uses natural means to provide for us. But If God Calls You And Wants You To Be His Witness He Will Show You Many Things. You will rise from the lower natural plane to a higher spiritual plane of Divine provision by God Himself.  One of them IS LIVING BY FAITH!

Brethren Pray For Me That I May Have The Liberty & Grace To Share.

On September 25th  2011, we posted an article called “A Little Child’s Thanksgiving.” This is the continuation of the  evening prayer activity;  or you may call it “Part Two Of A Little Child’s Prayer”

After the blessed time of prayer on Gasing Ridge I asked David whether he would  like to have a hamburger for supper.

He nodded in agreement. McDonald was located at Yaohan Shopping Complex in Old Klang Road.  As our car descended the hill it started to drizzle. I told him to pray for a parking space in the Yaohan Building. The prayer was offered in simple child-like faith. As we approached the building the drizzle turns to heavier rain drops. But all the parking lots were full at 1st Floor. So we drove up to the 2nd Floor, and there were no empty parking lots either. Then we proceeded to drive up  to the 3rd Floor; but this is an Open Air Car Park! The sky is now pouring rain in torrent.   And since we didn’t bring  umbrellas we had to turn down to the 2nd Floor again. Lo and behold, as we descended we saw a car just moved off at the same time – or we may call it “perfect timing”. So we got our parking space in answer to prayer. And the burger tasted much better that evening.

FAST FORWARD TWENTY YEARS LATER.

The Gasing Ridge Prayer Time was sometime in 1991 -1992. David was about 3 years old. In 2010, slightly less than 20 years later,   David got his Driving License in Singapore. On the same evening he left with his brother in the family car for supper at Bukit Timah 7 Mile. The place is a 24 Hour Mamak Restaurant – always crowded with diners.  Hardly any parking space available especially at night.  On returning I asked him how he managed to get a parking space and also about any difficulty in parallel parking? He told me in ANSWER TO PRAYER GOD TOUCHED ONE CAR TO LEAVE JUST AS HIS  CAR WAS APPROACHING THE MAMAK RESTAURANT,   AND WONDER OF WONDERS GOD ALSO TOUCHED THE DRIVER OF THE CAR NEXT TO IT TO MOVE OUT ABOUT THE SAME TIME.!!!  Enabling him to park easier.

1) PRAISE GLORIFIES GOD.
AT the First Christmas Night, the angels sang, “Glory to God in The Highest and on earth peace, goodwill towards men”.

Again in Psalm 50 it says, “Whoso offereth praise, glorifieth Me.

2) SINGING & HOLY SPIRIT FILLING.

Ephesians  5:18b &19 “Be filled with the Spirit; Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord,” Somehow, there is a divine  link between fervent Christian singing & Holy Spirit Infilling.

At the dedication of King Solomon’s Temple, the singers were gathered to praise God in unison. 2 Chronicles 5:13 &14, “It came to pass, as the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the LORD, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever: that then the house was filled with a cloud, even the house of the LORD; So that the priests could not stand to minister by reason of the cloud; for the glory of the LORD had filled the house of God.” At the 1st Symphony of Solomon’s Temple in praising God the Holy Spirit came down like a cloud – no one is able to do anything. Everyone is Lost in The Awesome Wonder of The Presence of God The Holy Spirit!

3) REVIVAL DAYS ARE DAYS OF SINGING & PRAISING GOD.

In the Great Moravian Revival of 1727, there were days of Blessed Singing. Many hymn writters originate from the Moravian Church.  Among them is James Montgomery who wrote “According To Thy Gracious Word”.  Among the favourite is ,

Prayer is the soul’s sincere desire,

Uttered or unexpressed;

The motion of a hidden fire;

That trembles in the breast.”

Among the converts of The Moravian Movement were John & Charles Wesley, who founded the Methodist Church. Charles Wesley wrote 6,000 hymns. If it takes Charles Wesley each week to compile 4 hymns – 6.000 hymns equals 4 hymns weekly for 28 years!

4}  CONVERSION BY SINGING

During a Christian Camp that I attended long ago, I heard a brother giving his testimony. He said he fell into the drug habit and was  caught and sent to jail. He lamented, “Curiosity Kills; curiosity kills the cat! Curiosity kills the tiger! He took drug out of curiosity. There in the prison – alone and desolate – he heard singing,  singing of Sunday School songs which he learnt as a child. The words in the songs came with convicting power by the Holy Spirit. There and then he accepted Christ as his Lord & Saviour.

5) Homer Rodeheaver – Song Leader In Billy Sunday Crusade.

Billy Sunday was a powerful soul winner during the early 20th century in North America. Mettings were held in tents  and converts would walk down the saw dust trail to receive Christ publicly. However, Billy Sunday was unable to speak as he was delayed by some unforeseen event. So Homer Rodeheaver the Song Leader took over the Entire  Meeting in the singing of many gospel songs. As the singing progressed the Spirit of God descended in great power. The Song Leader was led to give the invitation there and then  & many responded, got up went forward toward the platform to accept Christ as Saviour.

6) GARMENT OF PRAISE FOR THE SPIRIT OF HEAVINESS (Isaiah61:3)

Perhaps you are feeling down now. Don’t despair, if you feel cold in winter you have to put on winter clothes. You might not feel warm instantly, but after a while with your body heat built  up you will definitely feel warm So put on the garment of praise; start praising God and you, too, will feel the warm of the Holy Spirit enveloping you.

7) SINGING PRAISES TO GOD MORE POWERFUL THAN JUST PRAYING.

When Apostle Peter was in prison, the Church prayed. God sent an angel to deliver him. The chains fell off Peter’s hands and the prison iron gate opened  by itself. But when  Paul & Silas prayed & sang praises to God – ALL THE PRISON DOORS WERE OPENED IMMEDIATELY & ALL THE CHAINS FELL OFF ALL THE PRISONERS’ HANDS!! (Acts 16). So Prayer saved Peter one person while Praising Saved Paul, Silas & All The Other Prisoners!

Note: The iron gate that opened  on its own accord in Acts 12:10 is the First Automatic Gate In The World. Many years later some wise guy invented the Automatic Gate powered by Remote Control & Electricity!  The English word “automatic” is not a translation, it is actually a direct  transliteration from greek “automate”.

8)CONTINUAL FEAST

But a Cheerful heart has A Continual Feast (Proverbs 15:15)

For a period of 10 years I drove weekly from Singapore to KL for work. It was a jouney of 4 hours each way. Looking back at those days  brought gladness to my heart. In the beginning I listened to “HYMNS TRIUMPHANT 1 & 2  by the London Phiharmonic  through music tapes.  Later I could sing almost all the songs by memory It was a continual feast of song after song on my four hour ride back. Happy times passed fast. In no time I reached home.

9)  THE CHIEF EMPLOYMENT OF HEAVEN.

There be three things which are done on earth 1) Preaching  2) Praying  &  3) Singing.

In the Heavenly Kingdom we will no longer be preaching or witnessing.  There is no need to pray as we are already in the Immediate Presence of God. But we will continue to sing and praise God all the time. Revelaion 19:1″ And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto THE LORD OUR GOD.” ALLELUIA means PRAISE YE THE LORD.  ALLELUIA is repeated 3 more times in Rev. 19.

One of the Best Compilation on earth is Handel’s MESSIAH. When the queen of England 1st heard it she stood up in Standing Ovation. JESUS IS KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS> AMEN & AMEN.

1}  SIGN OF SPIRITUAL LIFE.

Just as the physical body needs oxygen, the spiritual life begins  with prayer. Prayer is the soul’s sincere desire, the Christian’s native air. Jesus, the Ascended LORD said of Paul, “behold, he prayeth” (Acts 9:11)

2} BECAUSE THERE IS A PERSONAL DEVIL

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring  lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8)  When I was a very young  convert, more than 40 years ago, I used to go into my room, shut the door and pray. Oh, how Satan wanted to hinder and stop me from praying – suddenly cars would blare their horns, dogs would bark at   cats, baby would cry and all sorts of distractions would come my way to keep me from praying. Thank Almighty God, when I persisted in prayer, resisted the devil – he fled.

3) ABUNDANT PROVISIONS – ONLY ASK

The only legitimate way to receive good things and all things is to ask  God – God is Our Provider.

“Thou art coming to a King;

Large petitions with thee bring.

For His grace and power are such;

That none can ever ask too much.”

4)  SAFEST PLACE IN THE WORLD

“Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings (Psalm17:8}

“He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty (Ps 91:1)

5) THE HAPPIEST PLACE ON EARTH

Disney World and Universal Studio claim to be the happiest place on earth. God’s Word says, “Thou wilt show me the path of life: in THY PRESENCE is FULLNESS OF JOY, at Thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore (Psalm 16:11)

6)  THE PRAYER MEETING IS POWER MEETING

The place of prayer is also the place of power. Leonard Ravenhill says, “When they have prayed the place is shaken but when we have paid the place is taken.”

7) CHRIST LIKENESS

“As for me, I will behold thy face in righteoousness: I shall be satisfiedd, when I awake, with thy likeness (Ps 17:15}

If you put a bar of iron in the fire you may say that the iron is in the fire. As the fire permeates and penetrates the iron  we may now say that the fire is in the iron.  As we daily live our lives in the Presence of Christ we will allow the very Presence of Christ to permeate our whole being until the very image and likeness of Christ be formed in us. Oh, that will be glory indeed!

Psalm 18:3  King David said, “I will call upon LORD, who is worthy to be praised…..”

But he did not, due to more pressing needs that diverted his intention. Not until things get from bad to worse that he finally turn to God in verse 5 ” IN MY DISTRESS I CALLED UPON THE LORD, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before Him, EVEN INTO HIS EARS.

The Prince of Preachers, Charles Hadden Spurgeon says, “The goal of prayer is the ear of God.”

If our prayers can reach the ear of God – GOD WILL MOVE  HEAVEN, EARTH AND THE SEA (Literally!) FOR US!

THE EARTH

“Then the earth shook and trembled; the foundations also of the hills moved, and were shaken, because He was wroth..v 7

THE HEAVEN

He bowed the heavens also, and came down: and darkness was under His feet. And He rode upon a cherub, and did fly: yea,

He did fly upon the wings of the wind..V10″

THE SEA

Then the channels of waters were seen, and the foundations of the world were discovered at the rebuke, O LORD, at the blast of the breath of e nostrils v 15

In ancient times God opened  the red sea for the children of Israel to cross over in their escape from the pursuing Egypt armies.  In modern times we witnessed the 2004 tsunami when people have seen the ocean floor when the waves were rolled back

Evangelist Oswald J. Smith says, “When we work we work, but when we pray God works!”

INDEED! Read The Following Verses:-

HE SENT FROM ABOVE

HE TOOK ME

HE DREW ME OUT OF MANY WATERS.

HE DELIVERED ME  FROM MY STRONG ENEMY

HE BROUGHT  ME FORTH ALSO INTO A LARGE PLACE

HE DELIVERED ME

HE DELIGHTED IN ME

HE RECOMPENSED ME. VERSES 16 – 20

Theologians have said that God is a transendent God. After Creation God had left the earth to run by itself and doesn’t bother with the affairs of men anymore. However Jesus says, “My Father worketh hitherto and I work”. 

“Prayer moves the Hand that moves the world,”  J.A. Wallace

Yes The Verdict Is “GOD WORKETH FOR HIM THAT WAITETH FOR HIM” AMEN & AMEN!

After preacing 3 different messages on one Sunday in 1978  I noticed the sentence “Strolled the Tiong Baru Park to-night.” It was a time of Spiritual Revival when the CHURCH is FULL OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. Preaching is so easy and a wonderful joy indeed. Only from expereince we understand the words of the Bible, “And every man went unto his own house. Jesus went unto the mount of Olives (John 7:53 – John 8:1)”

Like a Turbo charged engine of a High perfomace car, long after you have turned off the engine and removed the ignition key — the engine continues to run on by itself for quite some time before it finally dies off. The preacher unable to turn off the lingering anointing must find a place to pray and praise God –  speaking to himself in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs.  To speak to himself must seem like madness to those around or beside him. Therefore we read “Jesus went unto the mount of Olives”. And that’s why I had got to go to Tiong Baru Park that night. What transpired was too heavenly to described in the diary. Hallelujah!

Divine Unction in Preaching is extremely important in any Church Worship. The life  giving Presence of the Holy Spirit makes a great difference between the savour of life unto life or savour of death unto death.(2 Corinth. 2:16)  Just as the same sun that melts the wax, it also harden the clay. By our preaching men’s hearts may either melt or harden – depending  on the infusion of grace by the Holy Spirit through us. It was just after the conclusion of the Evangelistic Campaign on 9th September 1978 that I was led to preach for Sunday Worship 4pm 10th September 1978.

Again, allow me to quote verbatim from the journal:-

Last night departed to Rev. Ng’s home (Toa Payoh, Singapore). He asked me to preach since the LORD burdened my heart. ( Preach 3 different messages in 3 Mission Stations on the same day.) But as I waited on the LORD I felt no message. This morning on the last minute spoke on th “Prayer of Faith” at PK Mission, then on “Prayer” at the Craig Road Station. (Both in the morning) Rested some time in the afternoon and prepared again for the afternoon Worship Service.

I was still not prepared when I stepped into the pulpit by faith. The LORD met with us in a miraculous and marvellous way. I WONDERED GREATLY AT THE WAY THE HOLY SPIRIT  BROUGHT TO MY MIND THE WORD OF GOD. It  was too glorious for words. Strolled the Tiong Bahru Park to-night.

Epilogue:-

Many preachers who have experienced Divine Unction know it but cannot explain it. I think the lawyer turned  Preacher Charles G. Finney   gave a clear explanation:

“The subject (of the sermon} would open up to my mind that was surprising to myself, so that I could see with intuitive clearness just what I ought to say, and whole platoons of thoughts, words, and illustrations, came to me as fast as I could deliver them.” Autobiography of Charles G. Finney

My own experience is this, “When the  Comforter is come , he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness,  and of judgment (john 16:8) “the Sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God (Eph.6:17b) The word Comforter is paraclete in greek. A compound of 2 words

para (along side) caleo (called) it means SOMEONE  CALLED ALONG SIDE or someone called to be by our side to offer help. In our case the Holy Spirit indwells us, take control of our mind, bring all things to our mind in concentration when we preach. Only the All Knowing Holy Spirit know our audience’s darkest sins and secrets. So when He speaks through us  He will reprove sin, show Christ’s righteousness & convict with fear of judgment to come and its consequences.

In the testing of Jesus, Satan  consolidated  all his temptation  in a concentration of time. “And the devil, taking him up into an high mountain, showed him all the kingdoms of the world IN A MOMENT OF TIME (Luke 4:5)” Just as the sinner is irresistibly tempted by the devil  to sin, the Holy Spirit irresistibly convict the sinner of his sinfulness, and turn him to Christ’s righteousness and freedom. Both are done In A Moment of Time,  though in different direction. The word ATONEMENT is a combination of 3 words AT ONE MENT.

In the moment when we have saving faith to see Christ Jesus dying for our sins. That moment we have atonement and are justified. That’s why salvation is instantaneous.

Since divine unction can come ONLY BY PRAYER we must devote MUCH TIME to wait FOR HIM ON OUR KNEES.

As promised we would like to relate the Powerful Soul Winning Campaign after the Blessed Revival Year of 1977.

In 1978 September 2nd  – 9th we held a wonderful Evangelistic Campaign in Bukit Ho Swee “JESUS SAVES MISSION” in Singapore.  After the great visitation from God in December 1977 in the Penang Camp the Revival Spirit of Prayer continued with us. For many months we planned and prayed – many a time praying with a day or 2 of fasting. After the very successful Evangelistic Campaign I told sis. Betty that I lost 5 pounds due to the 8 days of prayer and also fasting. She replied, “I lost 10 pounds.”  Such was the total serious consecration to God’s work that we were willing to pay any price for souls to be saved.  Let me relate verbatim from my diary of 1978:-

September 2nd  1978

” Spent the morning and afternoon at Mt. Faber in prayer and fasting. About a dozen brothers and sisters were present. It was a blessed time of prayer. The Presence of God was felt gloriously  amid the refreshing weather. After the initial prayer  we went through an article on Prayer from the “Herald of His Coming” paper. Sister Betty & Sister Seow Fong read them distinctly. Brother Matthew Khoo came later. Then it rained. It was a shower of blessing. We continued in prayer at the pavilion. About  3p.m. we broke fast.

“Tonight the Evangelistic Meeting Commenced. Brother James came over early and prayed. The LORD granted us liberty in prayer. Brother James preached on “One Most Needful Thing.”  Felt the power of God. 5 people were saved. It was a blessed time.

Note: Fast forward  today 27th January 2013:-

Sister Betty is my sister in law. Her sister Christiana(Dolly Soh) is my wife. Sister Betty (now called Bethany) is the wife of Rev. John Khng (Founding Pastor of 2 Churches : Faith Independent Baptist Church & the current “Mt. Calvary Baptist Church” of Singapore.

Sister Seow Fong is the wife of Rev. Matthew Yong. Assistant Pastor of Singapore “Jesus Saves Mission.”

Matthew Khoo was ordained in 1980 and is now the Chinese Pastor of Singapore Jesus Saves Mission. Now Rev.(Dr.) Matthew Khoo.

Brother James Tan. Ordained in 1980. Pastor of “CHRIST GRACE CHURCH” Now Rev (Dr) James Tan.

September 3rd 1978 (SUNDAY)

My greatest fear is sin – especially at this time.

A wakened this LORD’s Day.  During the Adult Bible Class we went through an article on faith – “Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, OBTAINED

PROMISES.. (Heb 11: 33)  We claimed Psalm2:8 “Ask of Me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance…”& Acts 18:9&10 : Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace: For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee; for I have much people in this city.” During Worship Rev {Dr) Peter Ng (Founder of Jesus Saves Mission)  spoke a clear, challenging message on the colt(Luke 19:30)

The Meeting Commenced tonight with more Christians. The place was filled. We felt liberty again in prayer. We bound Satan and prayed for the scales to fall from the eyes of the sinners. More souls were saves tonight. The PK Choir sang tonight.

Note:-  Throughout the entire message there is a group of brothers and sisters praying separately upstairs for power on the preacher and for souls to be saved. So great faith  were given that we boldly claimed the promises of God, “ASK OF ME..I WILL GIVE THEE THE HEATHEN FOR THINE INHERITANCE Psalm  2:8) I was praying for 10 souls to be saved but only 5 souls got saved. As I moved downstair to see the converts Brother Cheng Hong who was sitting on the stairs exclaimed, “Thank God for answering my prayer – 5 people accepted Christ as Saviour tonight.”  I gently chided him. “Don’t ask for 5, ask for 10 souls to be saved.” No wonder my prayer for 10 was blocked by your asking for only 5. And so we started to see 10 or more souls saved as the Campaign progressed.

PK Choir :  PK stands for Persiaran Keliling ( Choir from Curcuit Road Jesus Saves Mission) Macpherson, S’pore

Mr. Lim Cheng Hong is the deacon of Faith Independent Baptist Church.

September 4th 1978 (Monday)

Again felt liberty in prayer tonight during the Evangelist Meeting. Rev. Ng preached on “THE UPLIFTED CHRIST” More souls were moved and saved tonight. The BHS Student Choir sang during the Meeting with Scripture Verses read in between by brother Liang Teck:  “Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon (Isaiah 55:7)” The effect was piercing.

Tonight brothers Matthew & James,  Sis. Rhoda  & I discussed about the Campaign. We were reminded of James Alexander Stewart’s book- EVANGELISM WITHOUT APOLOGY”. We ought to have more prayer.

Note: Brother Liang Teck now called Mark – a Trustee of Mt Calvary Baptist Church.

Sister Rhoda Chang – wife of Rev. Matthew Khoo.  She was the Missioner for BHS.

September 5th 1978 (Tuesday)

It was my turn to preach tonight.

Fasted this day. In the afternoon prepared the message on “THE PERFECT GOVERNMENT” with many thoughts and Scripture verses written down, but could not construct it into a sermon.

Listened to the testimonies of brothers Weng Kee & James Tan tonight. The  testimonies were very convicting. The Choir sang “There is a Fountain Filled With Blood.” When I stood up to preach I literally looked to the LORD. Felt the resistance of the evil spirits. But preached the truth by faith. Felt a little assisted after one quarter of the message. A number of souls were saved. (I think about 12).

Tonight the LORD showed me the two agents of conversion: THE WORD OF GOD & THE HOLY SPIRIT SO CLEAR AS NEVER BEFORE. *Born of the Spirit and of the Word of God.”

September 6th 1978  (Message by Brother Matthew in Mandarin.)

Tonight we had  the first night of Evangelistic Campaign in Chinese. Brother Matthew Khoo preached in Mandarin. The attendance was good. Brother James Tan remarked that the Chinese side was  (more) united then the English. Went to Craig Road  Mission with James Tan and prayed.  Returned at about 9 pm. Salvation came upon lost souls again tonight. Went out for dinner with Brother Matthew Khoo.

September 7th 1978.

Tonight attended the Evangelistic Meeting in Cantonese. The place was filled again tonight. Felt worn out in my body by tonight. Listened to the message delivered by Brother Matthew. Felt the conviction of the Holy Spirit.  When the invitation was given souls responded but many held back. I believe this was due to the lack of travailing prayer. The children are come to birth but there was not enough strength to bring forth. In future we need to recruit more agonizers. Counseled a Chinese who engaged in mediumistic work.

September 8th 1978 (FRIDAY)

Tonight brother Matthew spoke a Hokkien message on HEAVEN AND HELL. Again felt the power of God in the Meeting. There was a better response tonight to the message.

There was a glorious liberty of prayer at Mt. Faber to-night.

WE STORMED THE THRONE OF GRACE & CLAIMED PSALM 2:8 AGAIN.  The Meeting seem to be terminated in a very short time. When we are truly in GOD’S PRESENCE we are unconcious of time.  To GOD time is not applicable, for He is Eternal.

Note: Every Friday JSM conducts An All Night Prayer Meeting on Mt. Faber lasting from 10 pm to 4 am – a 6th hour long Marathon Prayer. There’s where we get our power from God. Prayer Meetings are power meetings. A prayerfull   christian is a powerful christian and a prayerless christian is a powerless christian. Same goes for preachers and Churches. However, the prayers at Mt. Faber have ceased.

SEPTEMBER 9th 1978 (Final Day of Campaign; Saturday)

Awakened this morning in the Mission. Was alone by myself because the students went for outing. To-night the whole Mission was packed with saints and sinners. The stairs were filled.  Many others stayed outside the Mission to hear the Messages. On the last minute chaired the Meeting in the place of James Foo. Felt a little liberty as we sang, “IN TIMES LIKE THESE”. Sister Lai Siong gaves her testimony. The Choir sang “SPRINGS OF LIVING WATER “. Brother Bee Hin spoke on “IS THIS THE LAST GENERATION?” Felt the chill of deep conviction in the message. Many souls were saved to-night.

The eight nights of Evangelistic Campaign closed with a glorious power of God’s Presence in the midst of His Children. Amen & Amen.

.Note: Brother Bee Hin went on to become one of the Highest Ranking Officer in the Singapore Military – COL(RET) Png Bee Hin.

In early 1990 my family attended  a camp at AWANA, Genting Highland  (Malaysia)held by CALVARY PANDAN BP CHURCH(S’pore). A sister approached us and said, “I was a convert of the Evangelistic Campaign more than a decade ago in Singapore.

Sometime in 1993 after preaching for Worship Service in CALVARY JAYA BP CHURCH, Petaling Jaya (Malaysia) a brother came to me and asked,  “Do you still remember the Evangelistic Meeting held in BHS Jesus Saves Mission in 1978?”. I replied, “Of course I do. How could I forget.” He said, “I was saved during your preaching that night.” It filled my heart with very warm and fond memories as I relate WHAT GOD HAD DONE FOR US IN ANSWERS TO PRAYER.

Epilogue:-

According to Sister Rhoda Chang there were 20 converts in the Chinese Services & 48 converts in the English Services – giving a total combined conversions of 68 people during the eight days of Soul Winning.

One LORD’s Day after attending Worship at Mt Calvary Batist Church in Singapore, my family decided to visit Malacca, a historic town on the west coast of  Malaysia. It was to be a journey of 3 hours one way.

As it was already pass noon time and we intent to return to Singapore by nightfall, we needed to start our journey immediately, as we only have time for a short visit – for sight-seeing, food and to make some purchases.

As our family custom, we always (Yes ALWAYS, ALL THE TIME) PRAY FOR JOURNEY MERCIES  before and  during our journey – whether by car, train or plane.

After driving pass the undulating and winding road near the town of Ayer Itam we finally reached  the section of the highway which is flat and straight  as far as the eye can see. So it is time to accelerate and pick up speed.

We were on MAXIMUM SPEED when suddenly a car cut  in front of us in a double lane highway.  The car in front of us was overtaking a slower car – we followed behind the car on the faster lane, expecting the driver to either move over or speed up. All this was done at a very slow speed – should I say  – snail speed. Both cars infront of us traveled slowly side by side in a 2 lane road – blocking us for miles after miles- it was a test on our patience. In a time we needed  to hurry up to reach our destination urgently.

After a very long wait the driver finally gathered speed and moved to  the slower lane. As we started to accelerate we saw a big puddle of water in front of us – the water was about 5 inches deep and to our horror we saw a Mercedes  Benz overturned into a ditch on the right as we drove past it. Thank God for sending the car to block us and slowed  us down as we drove past the flooded part of the highway. If not the fate of the Merc Benz that turned turtle might befall us.

The traveler’s Psalm promised >”The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore. Psalm 121: 8″

The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them (Psalm 34: 7)

A father once told his quarreling sons to break a bunch of arrows. Try as they might they could not. However when they divided the arrow one by one they broke them with ease.    

Look  at  your  little  fingers, individually they are have little strength.  Clench your fingers tightly together into a fist – it is now a weapon of great force.

Look at the sunlight. Now get a magnifying glass. Use it to focus the rays of light on a piece of paper. In no time a fire is started. So is a tiny atom – by itself it is invisible and insignificant. But combine many small little atoms together it becomes a formidable atomic boom. Likewiise, the powerful tsunami is made of tiny drops of water in the ocean.

On the day of Pentecost the greatest power on earth was revealed to mankind. The 3rd  Person of the Godhead  -Holy Spirit came upon the Church with  great power. In O.T. it was God for us, In Jesus(Emmanuel) we have God with us, but now we have God in us.  “That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me,and I in thee, that they also may be one in us; that the world may believe that thou hast sent me (john 17:21)”

On the day of Pentecost the church was in ONE ACCORD IN ONE PLACE. The greek word for one accord is ‘ homothumadon’ which means same mind, or one mind. They have one intention and one united purpose – to be filled with power from on high and be winesses for Christ.

In 1977 during a time of great revival I was in a prayer meeting. On our knees were about 150 people; prayers were offered individually but the congregation sing collectively. It was a time when God came down and we prayed more than 10 hours a day. Daily we searched our hearts and confessed our sins both publicly and privately.

While I was waiting for a brother to finish his prayer there was a song was in my heart called “There’s A Fountain Filled with Blood” byWilliam Cowper. As the brother concluded his prayer “In Jesus’ Name we prayer, Amen.” Just when I was about to open my mouth to sing William Cowper’s hymn, to my glad surprise I heard someone sing, ‘There is a Fountain Filled with Blood…”

The next song that came to my mind was “I Serve A Risen Saviour He’s In The World Today,  Just when the congregation finished singing I heard a sister’s voice singing “I SERVE A RISEN SAVIOUR HE’S IN THE WORLD TODAY. I KNOW THAT HE IS LIVING WHATEVER MEN MAY SAY. I SEE HIS HAND OF MERCY I HEAR HIS VOICE OF CHEER ” I started sing and say hallelujah! The next item on my mind was a particular brother in need of prayer. When the song “I Serve A Risen Saviour draw to a close as a was about to pray for bother Peter I heard a brother prayed for the same brother Peter that I intended to pray for. By then I started to shout and should I say I was estatic. And so it went on and on, day after day of united praying in the Holy Spirit.  It seems to me that we sing as one pray as one and think as one and act as one! We are no longer an organisation, we are a spiritual organism – WE MOVE AS ONE IN CHRIST JESUS, AMEN!

The nearest equivalent in the OT is found in 2 Chronicles 5:13 -14.  “It came to pass, as the trumpeters and singers were AS ONE, to MAKE ONE SOUND to be heard in praising and thanking the LORD, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever; that then the house was filled with a cloud, even the house of the LORD; So that the priests could not stand to minister by reason of the cloud: for the glory of the LORD had filled the house of God.”

This is the 1st symphony of Solomon’s Temple. When Jesus promised that if two shall agree on earth as touching anything they shall ask, it shall be done for them..  The greek word agree  used here is sum-phoneo (a compound of 2 words,  sum means with and phone means sound}  which is symphony in English. In a great orchestra  all the different musical  instruments blend their sound as ONE.

When the singing and music blend into ONE the glorious Presence of GOD descended uopn the Temple like a cloud so that the temple priests could not do any work but stood in awe (awesome wonder) in the Shekinah Glory!

My dear fellow brothers and sisters, Pastors or Evangelists, the secret to great power in your lives and ministry is  in Christian unity- be it a home, a Church or a nation!

Just as graceful swans will not land on turbulent waterfalls, the Heavenly Dove will not land on a divided Church or people. Psalms 133 tells us that God COMMANDED HIS BLESSING on brethren that DWELL IN UNITY!

On August 13th 1727 the SPIRIT OF GOD came down upon a group of Moravians under the leadership of Count Zinzendorf. The group called themselves Unitas Fratrum or the Unity of the Brethren. A great revival started and a daily 24 hour Prayer Cycle continued for 100 years. This little Church sent forth more missionaries than all the other denominations combined. Among the converts of the Moravian movement are John and Charles Wesley. They were the founders of the Methodist Church. In turn William Booth a methodist founded the Salvation Army. Still many years later a methodist from China called John Sung, known as “The Flame of God in The Far East” brought hundred of thousands of souls to Christ Kingdom in the Fast East.

After his evangelistic campaigns in Singapore he wrote letters to his converts to stay united. He also forcast a great revival, “As I prayed, God gave clear indications that the time for great revival in China has come…The Holy Spirit will move within and stimulate the hearts of general workers so that they will integrate and WORK AS ONE…”.The Journal Once Lost pp.495,  4 paragraph.

The 2nd stanza of the hymn “The Church’s One Foundation” says,

   ” Elect from every nation, Yet one over all the earth,   Her charter of salvation One Lord, one faith, one birth, One holy name she blesses, Partakes one holy food, And to one hope she presses, With every grace endued.”     The word one is mentioned 7 times.      

It was this Unity in Power that usher in the calling of more than 30 young men and women to Chiristian Service in 1977. In 1978 September God gave us tremendous power in a soul-winning evangelistic campaign. God willing we shall relate in a coming article. Meanwhile we have an extremely busy year.