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TMC Penang 125th Quasquicentennial Anniversary Celebration Commemorative Book

MESSAGE FROM REV. DR. DENNIS RAJ

PRESIDENT, THE TAMIL ANNUAL CONFERENCE

HE GUIDES THE HUMBLE IN WHAT IS RIGHT AND TEACHES THEM HIS WAY” Psalm 25: 9

Heartiest Congratulations to TMC Penang as you reach this significant milestone. This is
surely a testimony to the fact that what God began several generations ago in this place through
humble beginnings, He has been able to sustain and bless. Therefore, the Tamil Annual Conference
rejoices with you as we recognize that TMC Penang as the earliest seed for the eventual formation
of our Tamil Annual Conference.

The verse mentioned above comes from one of David’s Psalms, which actually shows that he
always sought to be guided by God in all his ways. However, how do we apply this verse into the con-
text of church life, especially to one that has existed for the past 125 years?

Firstly, the posture of HUMILITY which David so rightly mentions is something any person,
family or a local church should adopt. It is our humulity that would allow God to teach us His ways.
This is very important for us to consider, as it is quite possible to become proud of our sucessfull ‘track
record’ of holding on for the past 125 years. If we choose to become proud and contended that
everything is fine and nothing needs to be changed, we would be deceiving ourselves. Humility alone
would be the key to break such an illusion. We need to keep asking God to give us a humble, teacha-
ble heart.

Secondly, the verse also tells us that God will teach the humble HIS WAYS. This is indeed a
very important aspect for our Christian lives and more so for us as a church. However, there is a
hidden danger that arises especially because we are Christians. We could wrongly think of ourselves
as people who already know God and correctly understand all His ways. This is wrong because the
Bible teaches us that His way are not our ways; there is a vast difference. Moreover, no one can ever
claim to have comprehended all his ways, as God’s ways are beyond comprehension. This is all the
more reason to adopt a stance of humility and ask God to help us know His ways and even ask Him
to correct our wrong paths.

I pray that God would continously guide and use TMC Penang as His vessel to lovingly reach
out to the many souls in Penang and beyond.
God Bless All of You.

In His Grace,
Rev. Dr. Dennis Raj
President
Tamil Annual Conference
Methodist Church in Malaysia

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