The men God calls to His ministry often labor in obscurity, with little tangible evidence that their work pleases God. Contrary to the world's impression of success, with mega-churches, private jets, and extravagance, the Mississauga Assembly is Smyrna-like. (See Revelation 2:8-11). Messages of appreciation from churches like the one received this morning from Cape Town, South Africa, buoy Brother Singh's heart immensely.

Historically, Christ's church operates inconspicuously, and the world often rejects its message, except God's elect. Our faith, dear saints, is a testament to this.

Brother Sam measures the current conditions in our communities and country against Biblical standards. "This also know that in the last days, perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy..." (2 Timothy 3:1-2). Although he alluded to the lesson Brother Singh brought on the Third Shepherd on Saturday evening, he focused on what was happening in our homes and what was happening to our leaders and the nation. He emphasizes the church's role in transforming an individual whose life was wrecked by sin and transform them into what God desires them to be.

Brother Singh has recently received some beautiful testimonies from saints in other nations whose lives are profoundly being transformed by the messages he preaches. (We use the present perfect tense of the verb transform to indicate an ongoing process). These followers testify of the power of God's word and the hope it brings us all as they surrender our will to pursue His righteousness.

Brother Singh invites us to bask in the measureless love of our God. The composer of the magnificent hymn, 'The Love of God,' Frederick M Lehman (1868-1953), wrote with divine inspiration. The first line lines:

"The love of God is greater far than tongue or pen can ever tell."

A proper understanding of scripture is essential to our growth. For instance, if we misinterpret the word "blessing" and pursue the wrong concept of Jesus, the result could curse us. Jesus said, "Blessed are ye when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake" (Matthew 5:11). That is not what the prosperity gospel teaches. Hence, we must get our information from a source anointed by God, not the internet or from celebrity preachers.

We thanked God for our special sister in Christ, Melany, in tonight's service. Melany is a disabled saint but arguably the most faithful in our assembly. She has faithfully attended each service available for more than five years now and lamented when complications due to COVID restrictions prevented her from doing so.

She is a beloved member of our congregation and greatly enriches our lives.

James, Jesus's brother, is a figure of remarkable faith. Despite the family's initial opposition to Jesus' ministry(John 7:5), he eventually became a committed Jewish convert to our Lord. This transformation is particularly significant in the cultural context of the time, as the Jews were stubbornly committed to their religious traditions. When Jesus preached a strong message telling people they needed to change their lifestyle, it was a challenge most could not accept, and 'many of his disciples went back and walked no more with him' (John 6:66).

Brother Singh's impactful visit, the final service of his whirlwind tour to three assemblies in the Greater New York City area, culminated with a powerful gathering in Elmont, NY.

Building on Brother Richard's expose on Romans 12, Brother Singh stressed that the Apostle Paul "beseeched" {begged, pled with} the brethren at Rome, "by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God..."

Brother Singh believes that if we preach the word of God and truth and are the salt in our community, there will be problems around us, but God will spare His people.

Addressing the saints in the Westbury Assembly On Saturday, August 17th, Brother Singh explained that extreme weather struck Mississauga and Toronto earlier today. Substantial flooding occurred within a mile of the church property and Pastor Singh's home.

Preaching to the Haitian Saints in Brother Mose's church, Brother Singh said, "My intention is not to excite or entertain you but to give you a word from the Lord to change you. Change does not mean you will become like me. Instead, you must change to become like Jesus.