Saturday, 2 May 2015
Thursday, 30 April 2015
April: Blessings
Faith@Work Fellowship
through
Asia Seminary for Ministry
(Seminary without borders)
April, 2015
Hi friend,
Training Nationals for Nationals
in integrity and skills
(Psalm 78:72)
THE SHEPHERD
(Mat 9:36) But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.
Sheep without a shepherd will be lost, defenceless and unproductive. The following will give us a short devotional of our Great Shepherd as given in Psalm 23.
I. THE THEME (Psalm 23:1)
“The LORD is my Shepherd; I shall not want.”
A. The Confidence – “Yahweh, my Shepherd”
The Eternal Self-existing and Relational One is my Shepherd.
B. The Conclusion – “I shall not want” – I will have no lack of anything or anyone.
II. THE SHEPHERD (Psalm 23:2-4)
A. The Rest (2a)
“He maketh me to lie down in green pastures;”
1. The Place – in green pastures, richer oasis-like spots in a barren land.
2. The Persons – HE will cause me to lie down. HE knows where, how and when.
B. The Refreshment (2b)
“He leadeth me beside the still waters.”
1. The Place – by waters of refreshment, waters not stagnant but gentle and calm.
2. The Persons – HE will tend me, leading and refreshing in the drinking place.
C. The Restoration (3a)
“He restoreth my soul;”
1. The Promptitude to interpose – He will restore the sick to health and the weak to strength.
2. The Person to be restored – my soul to be restored to fellowship and service.
D. The Guidance (3b)
“He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His Name’s sake.”
1. The Promise – HE will lead, going before and not driving the sheep.
2. The Paths – the paths of righteousness, straight paths to an expected end.
3. The Person – “me” – personal providence involved.
4. The Purpose – “For His Name’s sake” – for His own glory, true to the Shepherd name.
E. The Protection (4)
“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff, they comfort me.”
1. The Condition – also when I walk through a valley of shadow of death, going through the peril of death so often experienced in life. It could include death itself. Yet it is only a shadow not the substance. And when there is a shadow, there must be a light and there is, for Yahweh is the Light.
2. The Courage – I will not fear evil, not that there is no evil, but that there is no fear in the midst of evil.
3. The Companionship – for Yahweh is with me, my Comforter, Guide and Protector. There is no fear of loneliness in dark times.
4. The Comfort – Your rod and your staff, they comfort me. The rod and staff are symbols of the Shepherd’s presence. The rod, the symbol of defending power, is used against enemies. The staff, symbol of affection and possession, is used for guiding and restoring. The comfort is strength stimulated and renewed.
As the LORD God is our faithful Shepherd, may we also be faithful in shepherding ourselves, our families and one another in God’s household of faith. May we provide rest, refreshment, restoration, guidance and protection. Help us and grant it, LORD Shepherd. Amen.
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I. TRAINING IN MEDAN & NEPAL
A. Medan Indonesia (23-27 Feb)
Two trainers were at hand. Mr Ding continued in his leadership training. Mr Goh Lay Guan worked on Principles of Teaching. Rev. Haposan did a great job in co-ordinating and interpreting. The college there has full time students doing Bachelor degrees in addition to the students doing the Master degrees in the modular classes. Prayer and funds are needed to enable him to complete the Trainers’ Quarters for our trainers to lodge instead of staying in hotels. The June (22-26) sessions will be also helmed by our two trainers.
B. Nepal (1-5 March)
Rev. Yap Beng Shin and Rev. Simon N. were our trainers. March is their annual slot. Rev. Yap led the study of the Prophetic Book of Daniel while Rev. Simon trained on Spiritual Disciplines. They were well received. (There will be the Second Graduation this coming September). Praise the good Lord for using us.
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II. NOTE OF PRAISE & THANKSGIVING
Our desire, as we train others, is to continue to upgrade ourselves in life-learning in seminars and other training opportunities. One aspect is for our trainers to be equipped to a doctoral level. Praise the good Lord for blessing Rev. Yap Beng Shin with the Doctor of Ministry degree. His graduation will be on May 9th. We rejoice with him, his family and church. Two others, Rev. Tan Eng Boo and Mr. John Ching, are at their last lap. Please pray as they work on their DMin dissertation. Rev. Andrew Tan completed his PhD dissertation and is awaiting for confirmation. Rev. Simon N. is looking forward to begin his doctoral training this year.
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III. 7th FAITH@WORK THANKSGIVING ANNIVERSARY
DATE: Saturday, May 16, 2015, 7pm to 9.30pm (with Dinner).
THEME: Fellowship in the Gospel (Phil. 1:5).
PLACE: Qian Xi Restaurant,
Tanjong Katong Complex,
845, Geylang Road, #04-09
Singapore 400845
(Opp. Paya Lebar MRT).
Praise the good Lord for seeing us through all these years. We have not despised the beginning of small things. He has also provided good friends in you all for your prayers and support in so many ways. Let us come together and bless Him for His goodness and blessings. We have much to thank Him. Do invite your loved ones and friends too. Please contact Rev. Mark Tay (94883004) or Rev. Goh SF (98207783) and give us names and contacts (phones or emails) of those desiring to attend (by Sunday, 10 May to enable us to plan for you).
“Bless the LORD, O my soul;
and all that is within me, bless His holy Name.
Bless the LORD, O my soul and forget not all His benefits”
(Psalm 103:1,2).
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IV. NEW DIRECTIONS AHEAD!
We have been listening to the still small Voice of the loving LORD as we advance His desire as co-laborers with Him. We seek His desire in these two ventures.
A. Batam, Indonesia
The good Lord has opened the door of ministry in Batam for many years. He has established His people and churches. We are praying for training opportunities. Rev. Yap Beng Shin will be conducting a seminar on Big Picture Bible Study on Saturday, May 2, 9.30am to 4.30pm. The leaders there are Ang Liang and Kalvinto of Philadelphia Church. We are asking the good Shepherd for His will and timing of the future training. Other sheep and leaders, we will train.
B. Yangon, Myanmar
As the country continues in its nation building, infrastructure is lacking in many areas. One is the lack of human capital resource base. Young adults especially need Life skills and work skills in this emerging society. Our Vision is to disciple young Adults in the market place, so that they can be gainfully employed and be impactful in life, work and church. We will need mentoring trainers to impart knowledge, skills and life. We are putting together personnel, process and program. We will need businessmen to open doors for internships. We will need all our prayers and support for the good Lord to work in and through us. Please let us know of your desire and advice.
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V. REMAINING SESSIONS FOR 2015
1. MEDAN, INDONESIA
22 - 26 JUNE
21 - 25 SEPTEMBER
16 - 20 NOVEMBER
2. KATHMANDU, NEPAL
6 - 10 SEPTEMBER (with Graduation)
3. MYANMAR
4 - 12 NOVEMBER (PASTORS’ WORKSHOPS)
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The good Lord willing, we are continuing to listen to the whispers of our wonderful Lord of the Harvest and will update you further of His precious will and abundant blessings ahead.
Thanks again for your prayers and support in so many ways. Please visit
FaithatWorks Facebook
or our blog at
Our new website:
Those desiring to know about Asia Seminary for Ministry can also check in at http://faithatworkfellowship.org.
If we can be of any help to you, please let us know. The good Lord bless you and all yours!
Yours always in Christ and for Christ,
Rev. Goh Seng Fong
(John 12:24)
(John 12:24)
Handphone: 98207783
+65-98207783
Name and Address:
Faith@Work Fellowship
9, Kalidasa Avenue
Singapore 789389
People involved in the Fellowship include:
Rev. Tan Choon Seng, Rev. Tan Eng Boo, Rev. Yap Beng Shin, Rev. Simon N., Rev. Robert Chew, Rev. Mark Tay, Rev. Andrew Tan, Ong Beng Hong, Michael Lim, Amos Hoon, Jeff Tan and Daisy Koh.
Trainers include Dr Rev. Yap Kim Sin, John Ching, Ding Yew Soong, Goh Lay Guan and Tan Thiam Hong.
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Monday, 9 February 2015
February: Blessings
through
Asia Seminary for Ministry
(Seminary without borders)
February, 2015
Hi friend,
Training Nationals for Nationals
in integrity and skills
(Psalm 78:72)
LIKE SHEEP
“All we like sheep have gone astray;
we have turned every one to his own way;
and the LORD hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all.”
(Isa 53:6)
God chooses to use the metaphor “sheep” to represent human beings. The behavior of sheep and us is similar in many ways. Our fears and timidity, our pride and stubbornness, our self-absorbing and self-promoting ways, all these are parallels. To understand the nature of sheep is to understand the nature of mankind and vice versa.
Dr. John Davis in his book “The Perfect Shepherd” notes some characteristics. There may be some good sheep that stay and enjoy the selected pasture. They will be others that wander away to a newfound grass of inferior quality. Yet others are belligerent, causing unrest as they desire and fight over a small tuft of grass. Some are sensitive and thus are attention seekers. Others are explorers but are not knowledgeable of the situations.
The Holy Bible notes that we are like sheep that have gone astray. We have the propensity to wander, get lost and sometimes lose our way and life. Turning to “his own way” simply means doing what we want, doing what I want. I feel free to assert my will and fulfil my desires, in spite of warnings. Here are some Bible examples.
(Gen 3:6) “ … she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.” The first sheep on earth asserted their will and desire. Eve, in her disobedience and self-will, took the fruit and then gave it to Adam. She turned to her own self and then turned Adam to her own way. Thereafter, sin came to all mankind and death through sin. All have sinned and come short of the glory of God.
(Gen 9:20,21) “Noah … planted a vineyard: And he drank of the wine, and was drunken; and he was uncovered within his tent.” Noah misused and abused the fruit of the ground and caused problems with one of his sons. How we have misused the gifts of God!
(Gen 12:11, 13) Abraham “said unto Sarai his wife, … Say, I pray thee, thou art my sister: that it may be well with me for thy sake; and my soul shall live because of thee.” The self-preserving husband sold a lie and his wife to save his skin, not just once but twice. The wife was forced into this farce. Many marriages are broken because of self-indulgence. The Messianic line would have been broken, if not for God’s protecting care.
And the stories go on with Jacob’s deception (Gen. 27:21), Moses’ rash speech (Psalm 106:33), David’s adultery (1 Kings 15:5) and so on, even with us, with me, with you. Surely, we all like sheep have gone astray. We have created unrest to our own souls and to others.
Praise the good Lord for the His everlasting love and care. Jesus, our Good Shepherd, came and died for His sheep. (Joh 10:11) “I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth His life for the sheep.” Yes, “the LORD hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all.” (1Pe 2:24) “Who His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.” We are loved by Jesus’ selfless love. We are bought and brought back by His precious self-sacrifice on the Cross. We are protected, secured, sustained and satisfied by this Great and Chief Shepherd.
May we ever be grateful and may we stay close to this wonderful Shepherd so that we have His life and life more abundantly (John 10:10)!
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GREAT TIMES IN YANGON, MYANMAR
(23-25 Jan. 2015)
Some 400 from the Fellowship of 30 churches from all over Myanmar arrived at Yangon for (1) 34th Spiritual Conference, (2) Graduation of 28 pastors and students, and (3) 10th Anniversary of the Yangon Church.
The Fellowship, under Rev. James Biak Lian, meets once a year for fellowship, prayer and great preaching of the Holy Bible to further equip the pastors and leaders for the year ahead. This brings unity of purpose and vision. This also keeps the Fellowship alive, refreshed and revived. The meeting place is rotated around the country. This year, it was held in Yangon, so as to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the church in the fast-growing urban city. The Fellowship also trains pastors and leaders every November.
The Graduation was a great rejoicing time. Eight graduated with Graduate of Theology, 10 with Bachelor degrees and 10 with Master degrees. Included were pastors in ministry. They took time off to attend modular classes. It has been our privilege and joy to be training Nationals for Nationals.
Praise the good Lord for many that have given in so many ways for the success of the Conference. Some contributed funds; others, ties, scarfs, shawls, medicine, Bibles and so on. Above all, your prayers were most appreciated. God is truly great and good!
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TRAINING SESSIONS OF
ASIA SEMINARY FOR MINISTRY IN 2015
1. MEDAN, INDONESIA
A). February 23 - 27
B). JUNE 15 - 19
C). September 21 - 15
D). December 16 – 20
2. KATHMANDU, NEPAL
A). March 1 - 5
B). September 6 – 10 (with Graduation)
3. MYANMAR
November 4 – 12 (Pastors’ Workshops)
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The good Lord willing, we are continuing to listen to the still small Voice of our wonderful Lord of the Harvest and will update you further of His precious will and abundant blessings ahead.
Thanks again for your prayers and support in so many ways. Please visit
FaithatWorks Facebook
or our blog at
Our new website:
Those desiring to know about Asia Seminary for Ministry can also check in at http://faithatworkfellowship.org.
If we can be of any help to you, please let us know. The good Lord bless you and all yours!
Yours always in Christ and for Christ,
Rev. Goh Seng Fong
(John 12:24)
(John 12:24)
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