New Year 2026

Two hours before New Year 2026 ushered in, I preached an hour long sermon with three parts - the first 20 minutes giving an overview of the first quarter of the 21st century (2001-2025) from Windows XP in 2001 to DeepSeek in 2025. Then I spent another 20 minutes on Psalm 103:1-5 and not forgetting God's benefits and be thankful always. The final part was in using our talents and I emphasised that Christ gave us gifts and talents according to our ability, which means the greater ability or capability we have, the greater gifts and responsibilities that the Lord would grant to us.

The person with five talents garnered another five talents and the person with two added another two. God knows that the person is capable of handling five talents that's why he is so given and he traded to add another five talents. That is to say we must show fruits of our talents and impact of our ministry. 

Then last night I led a prayer meeting lasting about one and a half hours as I took a bit more time sharing from Psalm 5 about 25 minutes before leading three sections of prayers - the first for the nation of Malaysia, for the finding of MH370, against corruption in Malaysia, and the denomination's AGM in a fortnight's time where we will choose our top leaders for the next three years.  

The second section was on our weekly church activities, the sick, and the like. The third and final section was sharing from church members of their thanksgiving and prayer items and then we all prayed together.

After that, the two elders and I went for drinks and we chatted for another 30 minutes. On the election of new leaders in our forthcoming AGM, though I refrained myself from saying much lest people misunderstood. I simply said I was for a fair and open election without pastors being barred from standing. There must be good reasons to disqualify someone, but not on grounds of personal dislike or fearing the person would gain more votes than the incumbents. It gets complicated at times, and twice I already led the church to pray, though very few seemed to be interested in praying to God that He would appoint rightful and godly leaders to lead His church. It is ironic and people tend to care only for their own interests and their participation in church is simply that the person wants to go to heaven with minimum effort and not to bother oneself beyond that.