19 December 2008 - Praise and Prayer from Robert & Dara Peh

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).

PRIASE GOD for CHRISTMAS. As we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, we are reminded of the love of God for us, as it is written, “the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men” (Titus 2:11, KJV), “…by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel” (2 Timothy 1:10, KJV).

During this Christmas season, thank God for the many occasions to proclaim the gospel of salvation to the unsaved souls in this part of the world.

If the Lord wills, this year we will have three Christmas outreaches at three Red Lahu villages. The first outreach will be held at Den Luang village on 24th December (Wednesday) at 7 p.m. We are expecting about 200 souls to turn up. The second outreach falls on 27th December (Saturday) at Pu Men mountain, from 10 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. After lunch, we will proceed to Hui Pu village which is our third outreach. The meeting will begin at 3 p.m. and end at 6.00 p.m. with a time of prayer for the church members and the needy people. PRAY that nothing will hinder the Red Lahu people from the three Red Lahu villages from coming to the gospel meetings and for God to speak to them through the messages, songs and performances.

This year, our Christmas skit is centered around the biblical story of Cain and Abel, culminating in the drama of nativity scene. The narrative will begin with how Adam and Eve had disobeyed God and became sinful and was cast out of the Garden of Eden, followed by the birth of Cain and Abel and their coming before God with their offerings, thereby contrasting two groups of people seeking God, but no matter how religious people might be in seeking God, God would only accept those who come before Him by faith, like He did to Abel just as the Word of God says, “By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gift…” (Hebrews 11:4, KJV). “But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a Rewarder of them that diligently seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6, KJV).

PRAY that the audiences will understand their own unworthiness before God and the need to turn to the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation. No one could by his own efforts make himself accepted by God, as the Bible clearly teaches that, “there is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death (Proverbs 14:12, KJV). There is no other ways to God, “neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:12, KJV). Every human being must come to God the way God has appointed, and that is through Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Saviour, as the Scripture says, “For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved. He that believeth on Him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the Name of the only begotten Son of God” (John 3:17-18, KJV). “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23, KJV). Jesus is the only way (John 14:6). By believing in Him, there is life everlasting (Acts 16:31, John 17:3).

Thank God also that everyone in the Christian Home of Love could be involved in our annual Christmas outreaches. Everyday, they are rehearsing the play, dance and songs after coming back from school. Let’s pray for them in all their preparation. May God grant them added strength in His service.

Do also remember our church activities this Sunday (21 December) in your prayer. Our worship service will start at 10 a.m. and in view of Christmas, Robert will preach a gospel related message on “The Christ of Christmas” and Dara will interpret it into Thai and Lahu. Indeed, Christmas is meaningless without Christ. PRAY that the believers will be challenged to greater love for God and non Christians be brought to the saving knowledge of Christ. In the afternoon at 3 p.m., there will also be a Christmas Family Gathering, with the Red Lahu children and their parents coming together to sing songs, play games and listen to the Bible story. PRAY for Robert telling the Bible story, Dara doing the interpretation, John and Peigang leading songs, and Grace and Dara in charge of games and refreshments.

There will also be a Christmas Caroling on the 25 December at 7 p.m. As usual, we will be going around Den Luang village, singing carols to a few homes, bringing encouragement to the believers and proclaiming the gospel to the non Christians. Thank God for yet another opportunity to carry out the great commission. “And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come” (Matthew 24:14, KJV).

Thank God also for Dara, Grace, Evangel and Evangeline for making Christmas cookies to be given away to friends and loved-ones with a gospel message attached in every pack. PRAY that the Lord will speak to them through the gospel message that peradventure, some may be saved.

Thank God also for providing us a co-worker from Singapore to co-labour with us in His vineyard. Since the beginning of the year, Brother Peigang has responded to the call of God to serve God fulltime. He is now using his God-given talents to accomplish what God has called Him to do in our midst. Just to name a few: God has given him the gift of an artist. Thus, he is the most suitable person painting the stage for the Christmas outreach. He is also endowed with the gift of music. With that, he is serving the Lord on every Sunday worship by playing the piano and he is also imparting the skill to the children. His presence here is indeed a blessing from God. May the Lord continue to empower him to do His will.

“Wishing you all a blessed and fruitful Christmas!”