Beloved Brothers, Sisters and Children in Christ
The Word of God is always true! Over 1,000 years before this great birth, God spoke through the wisest man on earth at that time, King Solomon, in Solomon’s Song, chapter 4:6-7 “Until the day break, and the shadows flee away, I will get me to the mountain of myrrh, and the hill of frankincense. Thou art all fair, my love; there is no spot in thee.” Solomon had no idea how this could be. A great King! A mountain of Myrrh! And a hill of Frankincense! To be pure from Sin! To his mind it would have seemed impossible. To day as we celebrate this great Christmas festival, we can give thanks that it is possible to be drawn to Christ and these blessings in the same way as the wise men from the east were drawn to the baby Jesus. Those wise men were chosen by God to present gifts to the Christ Child, so he would be the caretaker of them until he was able to pass them onto all in the world, who would also become wise in faith. We should be so thankful at all times in our lives, that today we can still be recipients of those gifts to make us pure from sin and be prepared for the coming Kingdom of God. They gave him gold. Gold is the symbol of a King, and this was left for us in the sacrament of Baptism, which frees us from the inherited sin and writes us into a new book, giving us the opportunity to become citizens in a new and coming Kingdom. They gave him frankincense. This represents a link between man and Christ, that cannot be seen but is acceptable to God, and was left for us in the sacrament of Sealing, where we receive the anointing of the Holy Spirit, to forgive our sins and help guide us to the coming Kingdom. They gave him myrrh. This was used to embalm bodies so they would not deteriorate. This represents and was left for us in the sacrament of Holy Communion, where our sins are taken away and replaced with Christ’s Righteousness. When our Lord returns to begin the Kingdom, all our bodies, whether we live or have passed on, will be made whole through the mountain of Myrrh. We in faith, can now see how Solomon’s words are being fulfilled and that is why we come together at this time, to give thanks to God for that greatest gift to mankind “His only begotten Son”. As the wise men sought guidance from God, sought diligently the new born King, left no stone unturned to fulfil their mission, let us all resolve to fulfil our mission and seek at all times those gifts left for us as a preparation for the coming Kingdom.
Wishing all a blessed and uplifting Christmas festival.
Your brother and Apostle for Christ,
Cliff Flor, with special greetings from Sis. Heather & family.
Beloved Brethren in Office, Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
We are all aware this Christian festival was set in place to align the Church year around the life, events, mission and promises, both fulfilled and yet to happen, of the Head of the Church, Jesus Christ. Colossians 1:17-18 "And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the first born from the dead; that in all things he might have the pre-eminence." It is important for us all as we begin a new church year that we resolve to make Christ and His teachings the centre and focus of our lives in the year ahead, as He taught - John 14:6 "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." As the head, He has sent the wonderful gift of the Holy Ghost. Ephesians 1: 13-14 "In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise, which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory." The advent of the beginning of this great blessing to mankind was foretold by God, the prophets, the psalmists, and even angels from the beginning of time. The bible records of one Simeon who believed all this and waited patiently for its fulfilment. We read in Luke 2:26-30 "And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ. And he came by the spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law, then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, Lord now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: for mine eyes have seen thy salvation." We see the contentment of Simeon, the world or man, could not offer Him any better thing than to be able to see God's salvation. This should bring us to consider the contentment that should be in our lives as we meditate on the second advent that stands before us. As Simeon, we have also had revealed unto us by the power of the Holy Ghost, the wonderful message from Christ. Matthew 16:28 "Verily I say unto you, there be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom." This is an ongoing promise to all who prepare themselves in this life. Romans 8:38-39 "For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Our Lord told of the preparation that is required to inherit this promise in Luke 9:23"And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me." Like the first advent, the second has been foretold from the beginning. Jude 14 "And Enoch also the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints." Psalm 96:12-13 "Let the field be joyful and all that is therein: then shall all the trees of the wood rejoice, before the Lord, for he cometh, for he cometh to judge the earth: he shall judge the world with righteousness and the people with his truth." Daniel 7: 13 "I saw in the night visions, and behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him." Christ told us - Matthew 24:30 "And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory." The angels declared it. Acts 1: 11 "Which also said, Yemen of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven." All of the early Apostles taught in many and various ways of this great advent that stands before us. No one knows the time when this will occur, only God the Father, for as the father of the bridegroom, He and He alone has the power to send forth the bridegroom to gather His bride. The Apostle John was shown this great day in Revelation 19:7-8" Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints." This return is necessary for the generation from Christ, whether living or passed on, to be brought in unity to complete the rebirth of water and spirit as told in Christ's teaching for the Kingdom of God for 1,000 years of peace. Psalm 17:15 "As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness." If we follow the events of the world we see so many things foretold as signs happening which should alert us to be more sincere in our faith in Christ and to seek after His grace at every opportunity in the coming year. In Matthew 24:7 He told we would see earthquakes in divers places. Recordings are published that show in the 10 years to 1966, 17 earthquakes occurred in the world measuring above 6 on the scale. The 10 years to 1976 this had risen to 180 with the latest data showing an increase each year. We must increase our trust in the Lord as we move closer to the great advent and always remembering Christ's words to Apostle Paul when he became worried - 2 Corinthians 12:9 "And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness."
We wish all a year ahead abounding in Christ's grace at all times.
Greetings from Apostle Dargusch and myself.
Your brother and Apostle for Christ, Cliff FIor.
Beloved Brethren in Office, Brothers & Sisters in Christ,
As we gather in all parts of the world, our hearts should be united in thanksgiving and joy for the greatest gift given by a loving God, not for His benefit but for ours. Psalm 2:6-8 “Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion. I will declare the decree: the Lord hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee. Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.” 1,700 years before this immaculate conception , the virgin birth of this King, before the people contemplated having a king, Jacob gathered together his sons and prophesied what would befall them in the last days. Genesis 49:10 “The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be.” Down through the ages God kept this promise alive. King David came from Judah and the promise was given in Psalm 89:3-4 “I have made a covenant with my chosen, I have sworn unto David my servant, Thy seed will I establish for ever, and build up thy throne to all generations.” Verse 14 made it clear that although this promise would come through this lineage, it would be a very special person needed to be appointed. “Justice and judgement are the habitation of thy throne: mercy and truth shall go before thy face.” This special future King was given the promise – verses 27-29 “Also I will make him my first born, and my covenant shall stand fast with him. His seed also will I make to endure for ever, and his throne as the days of heaven.” For approximately 1,000 years all Kings came from King David’s lineage. All inherited the original sin of Adam. None could fulfil the requirements of this perfected King. God’s words are always sure and truthful and He waited for man to break the covenant concerning the lineage of David. This was foretold Psalm 89:39 “Thou hast made void the covenant of thy servant: thou hast profaned his crown by casting it to the ground.” This happened 37 years before Christ was born, when Caesar crowned the first Herod, not of the lineage of David but from the Edomite nation, not a Jew. We see man broke the covenant, and now God had to restore His promises and bring to fulfilment His many prophecies regarding the birth of the special true King. Isaiah 7:14-16 “Therefore the Lord Himself shall give you a sign; behold a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. Butter and honey shall he eat, that he may know to refuse the evil, and choose the good. For before the child shall know to refuse the evil, and choose the good, the land that thou abhorrest shall be forsaken of both her kings.” The scripture teaches that Mary, a virgin of the tribe of Judah and the lineage of David, was chosen by God to bring forth this great promise, and was visited by the angel Gabriel. Luke 1:30-35 “And the angel said unto her, fear not Mary: for thou has found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father, David: and he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and his kingdom there shall be no end. Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be seeing I know not a man? And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall over shadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.” Through the wisdom of God, His promises could be fulfilled. A second man, Jesus was created, who did not inherit the original sin and would be eligible to be that special king. We celebrate this great birth, believing that the way is shown for us to witness when He is accepted to be King of kings. 1 Timothy 6:14-15 “That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ: which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords.” This picture is so different to His birth. This event was heralded from heaven to the shepherds. Luke 2:9-14 “And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for; behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly hosts praising God, and saying. Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, and goodwill toward men.” We read of the wise men from the East, Gentiles, who had studied the signs and were led by a star, came some time later to worship the new King of the Jews and present Him with gifts. Matthew 2:11-12 “And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary His mother, and fell down, and worshiped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. And being warned of God in a dream, that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.” It was only at the end of His mission that He was mocked and crowned with thorns, but declared even by the King, to be King of the Jews. Pilate put the superscription above His head in three languages. “This is the King of the Jews .” So fulfilled God’s promises and an everlasting kingdom was now to begin. A true King has the role to lead and guide and this was shown in Revelation 5, where our Lord was shown to be the one from the tribe of Judah, who now had the sceptre of wisdom. Hebrew 1:8 “But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy Kingdom.” May all take the peace and joy of this festival into their homes and families, as we give thanks for the greatest gift.
Wishing all a blessed festival, with hearty greetings from Apostle Dargusch and myself.
Your brother & Apostle for Christ. Cliff Flor.
Beloved Brethren in Office, Brothers & Sisters in Christ,
As we come before the Lord at the start of another year of Grace, we are reminded of Psalm 106:1-2 “Praise ye the Lord, O give thanks unto the Lord: for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. Who can utter the mighty acts of the Lord? Who can shew forth all his praise?” As we meditate on the past year, let us do our part to give thanks for the mighty acts and blessings we received from the Lord. As we sing Hallelujah, let us remember that it means “Praise ye Jehovah”. During the year we have all experienced the highs and lows of life, some more than others. The one constant during this time has been the fulfilment of the blessings dispensed so often to us, known as the Apostle blessing. “The Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ; The Love of God the Father; and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all.” To day we can truly say “Amen” as we give thanks for the fulfilment of those blessings. To help us on our journey in the year ahead, the morning salute will be “LORD BY THY GRACE AND SPIRIT, LEAD ME TO REJOICE IN HOPE, BE PATIENT IN TRIBULATIONS, AND TO CONTINUE INSTANT IN PRAYER”. This was given by the Apostle Paul to the Romans chapter 12, and if followed should lead us to fulfil all the other virtues mentioned in that chapter. In our land we have witnessed the great blessing of rainfall, where we see the land responding, the waterways are full and flowing, the reservoirs full and overflowing. It reminds us that man, with all his wisdom, cannot achieve this but it is the fulfilment of God’s promise to Noah after he offered a sacrifice to God. Genesis 8:21-22 “And the Lord smelled a sweet savour: and the Lord said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man’s sake; for the imagination of man’s heart is evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more every thing living, as I have done. While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.” We know that this blessing sometimes causes short term crop failure and damage, and pest appearing, but this was also passed on to Adam and all future generations in God’s words in Genesis 3:17-19 “And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree of which I commanded thee saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life: Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee: and thou shalt eat the herb of the field. In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken; for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.” When we hear this, it should renew our hope and faith in Christ and the future, as recorded 1 Corinthians 15:19-26 “If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the first fruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order: Christ the first fruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming. Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.” As we follow the world and local events we see clearly how things are happening which have been foretold in the bible and are against God’s ways. Sunday, as the Lord’s day, is becoming but another day in work rosters. Sunday trading is spreading and even sporting events that moved some years ago to take over Sunday from a day of worship are complaining these moves are also affecting their attendances. We have witnessed financial institutions and even nations trap themselves into believing debt and spending has no end. Slowly the world’s finances are coming under control of smaller groups who will exercise enormous power into the future. Already we see ordinary people suffering, rebelling and confused by these happenings. The Apostle Paul wrote of these times, 1 Thessalonians 5:3 “For when they shall say, peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. But ye, brethren are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief “ and further he gave advice on how we should be – verse 8/9 “But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ.” With any new year we plan ahead for family, for schooling, career study or change, for holidays, retirement plans and many other things for our natural life. We should ask the Lord to bless these plans, always remembering to be content with the blessings He does grant us. 1 Timothy 6:6-8 “But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.” In our spiritual life in these times, we are also reminded of our great obligation, as spoken by our Lord in a parable and then explained clearly in Matthew 13:37-39 of the wheat and the tares. “He answered and said unto them. He that soweth the good seed is the son of man; The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one; The enemy that sowed them is the devil: the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels.” We see a vived picture of the world today. We must never become complacent in our faith, we must at all times continue to support every mission effort to sow, water and nurture the good seed so God can bring forth the increase as children of the kingdom, because the tares, which look like wheat, but are not fruitful, are being planted and spreading. Any farmer knows only too well that if the good seed is not continually planted, then the tares will eventually choke out the few remaining goods stems. A recent prophecy that came forth should inspire us to also make a resolution for our spiritual life. “Spiritual darkness is covering the world, the spiritual light you receive today, do not hide it under a bushel. Take it out into the world so that it may enter this darkness so that the tares may not find a place in my fields that are being prepared for harvest.” We the Apostles, do wish all a contented and blessed year ahead and thank all for your prayers, wishes and support during 2010.
Greetings from Apostle Dargusch and myself, Your brother and Apostle for Christ,
Cliff Flor.
Beloved Brethren in Office, Brothers & Sisters in Christ,
We are again at that Christian time when we remember the great victory of our Lord, over all the temptations of Satan for that 40 day period. From the first temptations yielded to by Adam and Eve, no person was ever able to win a victory over the temptations of Satan. According to the bible, temptation can come in three ways, the temptation of the world, temptation brought about by the lusts of the flesh and temptations from Satan. Mankind, by being sincere and strong, could use their will to mount a resistance against the temptation of the world and lusts of the flesh, but because Satan is an Angel and man is made lower than Angels, it was impossible for man to resist the cleverness of Satan. Jesus was born into this world in the flesh of man and as man, would have to face the temptations experienced by all. Hebrews 2: 18 "For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted." God in His love was now to put in place the means of fulfilling His word given, when Satan won against the first man and woman. Genesis 3:15 "And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed: it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel." We must remember that the fullness of the Trinity was involved with the creation of man. Genesis 1:26 "And God said, let us make man in our image", and so now this fullness had to be put in place for this bruising of Satan's head. For the first 30 years of our Lord's life, He overcame all the temptations of the world and flesh, but now was to come the greatest battle, that if lost, all mankind would be lost forever. Jesus had to be anointed to become the Christ, to receive the fullness of the God head for this battle. This happened as foretold by the Prophets when Jesus came to John the Baptist. Matthew 3:15-17 "And Jesus answering said unto them, suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness. Thus he suffered him. And Jesus when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him; and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: and lo, a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." Jesus now became the anointed of God, the Christ for mankind, and we can read in Matthew 4:1-11; Mark 1:12-13, Luke 4:1-13, how the Lord, because of this Holy Spirit within Him, was able to resist every temptation of Satan and defeat him. Luke 4:13 "And when the devil had ended all the temptation, he departed from him for a season." The Church, as the new creation out of Christ, must also take up the battle against all the temptations of the world, the flesh and Satan at all times, but especially at this time of reflection. Through the Grace of Christ, we have been given the opportunity to equip ourselves with the wisdom and weapons to mount this battle. Hebrews 4:15-16 "For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and fmd grace to help in time of need." To resist a temptation prevents us from falling into that sin. Once we have sinned it is too late and we then have to rely on the Grace of Christ dispensed after sincere repentance, as explained 2 Corinthians 5:19-21 "To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them: and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him." The act if repentance is described by our Lord as a victory - Luke 15:7 "I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance." During this period we should enter into self examination of our lives. Judge ourselves and not those around us. The Apostle Paul wrote to the Romans on the seriousness of this practice. Romans 2:1-2 "Therefore thou art inexcusable, o man, whosoever thou that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things. But we are sure that the judgement of God is according to truth against them which commit such things.” It can also be a trap to compare our lives with those that we associate with the most, as we can fool ourselves. 2 Corinthians 10: 12-13 "For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves are not wise. But we will not boast of things without our measure, but according to the measure of the rule which God hath distributed to us, a measure to reach even unto you." God has given us His word. Christ came as the living word and the power of the Holy Ghost should reveal unto us the correct measure to compare our life, that of Christ and the word of God. If we do this we soon are alerted to our shortcomings in both forms of sin, those of commission (direct ungodliness ways) and those of omission (not doing unto others as we would want done to us). We are taught by Christ, that each victory over temptation becomes a great treasure for our soul and is never lost. Matthew 6: 19 "Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal." This righteousness will never be lost and will be stored by God, as oil for our lamps when we are called to go forth and meet the Bridegroom, when He is sent by His Father into the world again. The Church was given warnings which was for all ages and also promises by Christ to Apostle John in Revelation chapters 2 &3 for those that will take up the battle and overcome. One of the greatest promises for this period of time. Revelation 3:5 "He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment: and I will not block out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his Angels." We the Apostles, wish all a victorious battle during this period, always remembering the words in Psalm 44:5-6 "Through thee will we push down our enemies through thy name will we tread them under that rise up against us. For I will not trust in my bow, neither shall my sword save me."
Greetings from Apostle Dargusch and myself, Your brother and Apostle for Christ, Apostle Cliff Flor
Beloved Brethren in Office, Brothers & Sister in Christ,
Each year that we are given the grace to celebrate this day, we should in deep thoughts, be led deeper into the love of God’s plan for the saving of mankind through His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ. John 1:29 “The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” Our Lord, in His love, accepted to be the Lamb of God and so began a mission that if unsuccessful, would have meant mankind was lost forever, but if victorious, a new way with God’s original promises restored. To fulfil this mission, our Lord accepted the prophecy in Psalms 143:11-12 “Quicken me, O Lord, for thy name’s sake; for thy righteous sake bring my soul out of trouble. And of thy mercy cut off mine enemies, and destroy all them that afflict my soul: for I am thy servant.” We know that our Lord in the flesh of man, by remaining humble, meek and lowly with the Holy Ghost working within Him, had been able to fulfil all parts of God’s law and the law of Moses. Matthew 5:17 “Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.” Our Lord taught how these things had to be fulfilled. Mark 12:30-31 “And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thy self. There is none other commandment greater than these.” Our Lord’s life in flesh was not easy, but He lived 100% by these commandments, never yielding to the temptation of sin, and always doing the love of God to all He come in contact with, even those who persecuted Him. He was now able to come to this final test, as described by Apostle Peter – 1 Peter 2:21-23 “For even here unto were ye called; because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth.” The perfect Lamb of God was now prepared, innocent of all blemish and sin. Our Lord knew by the words of the prophets that there now had to be two offerings made if the penalties of the law were to be taken away as well as the sins of the world. Before a new beginning the old had to be finished to validate God’s word. The Prophet Isaiah, chpt. 53, gives a very detailed prophecy of the two offerings that would be required. The first records the offering of an innocent person suffering the penalties of the law imposed upon him wrongly. This would be the means for those penalties to be taken away. Even today this happens in the law. Our Lord willingly gave Himself for this purpose, after He had prayed earnestly in the garden of Gethsemane to His Father. Matthew 26:39 “O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.” Even when He was betrayed by Judas, He showed His love – Matthew 26:50 “And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then come they, and laid hands on Jesus, and took him.” Our Lord submitted to all the penalties of the law imposed upon His body as described by the prophet, “He was wounded, He was bruised. He was chastised, He was given stripes, He was oppressed, He was scourged; He was taken to prison; He was judged and finally in Isaiah 53:8-9 “He was taken from prison and from judgement; and who shall declare his generation? For he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken. And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death, because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.” The offering had been made and accepted by God which enabled our Lord to declare an end to the penalties of the Law on the cross- John 19:30 “When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished.” And he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.” The first offering was made, but now came the time for Christ’s greatest offering and test for all mankind to be saved. He had given up His earthly life, what more could be done? The prophet in verses 10-12 gives us a deeper insight into what this day means to us “Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him; he hath put him to grief; when thou shalt make his SOUL an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand. He shall see the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities. Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his SOUL unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and bare the sin of many and made intercession for the transgressors.” We see the ultimate offering and sacrifice of our Lord in being prepared to offer His SOUL, His eternal being, for evermore to God as a ransom, if the righteousness He had built up during His mission was not sufficient to overshadow and take away the sins of the world. To offer His soul necessitated His death, for it is at that time, the two separate. On the cross He continued gaining righteousness wherever possible. Luke 23:34 “Then Jesus said, Father forgive them, for they know not what they do.” As the darkness of sin overshadowed the earth and our Lord took it upon Himself, He then made the ultimate offering and sacrifice – Luke 23:46 “And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.” We today, are blessed with the knowledge that our Lord’s offering did contain sufficient righteousness for the sins of the world to be taken away. We see why today is called Good Friday, as the enemies of God, Sin, Hell and Death, were defeated over this period. Hebrews 9:28 “So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.”
We the Apostles, wish all a thought provoking Good Friday.
Greetings from Apostle Dargusch and myself, your brother and Apostle for Christ.
Cliff Flor.
Beloved Brethren in Office, Brothers & Sisters in Christ.
Beloved Brethren in Office, Brothers & Sisters in Christ,
During Christ’s trial before His crucifixion, Apostle Peter denied our Lord three times, as foretold by the Lord. The bible records when the Lord looked upon him in Luke 22:62 “And Peter went out, and wept bitterly”. When the Apostle was given the wisdom to understand the mysteries of the Kingdom of God, he turned this deep remorse into words of great joy and hope, which should be also ours at this blessed time – 1 Peter 1-3 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead”. During this festival we, who also deny Christ at times in our lives, should also receive within our hearts, that lively hope brought about by Christ’s bodily resurrection, by confirming our absolute faith in our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. John 11:25 “Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: and whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die, Believest thou this?” This great event of God’s dealings with mankind, brought a new way into the world and fulfilled the prophecy so many years before – found in Psalm 18:2-7 “The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer: my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies. The sorrow of death compassed me, and the floods of ungodly men made me afraid. The sorrows of hell compassed me about: the snares of death prevented me. In my distress I called upon the Lord, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears. Then the earth shook and trembled ;the foundations also of the hills moved and were shaken, because he was wroth.” As we celebrate the overcoming of sin, hell and death by the Lord, we read in Matthew 27:50-53 “Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost. And behold the veil of the temple was rent in twain from top to the bottom: and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent: and the graves were opened: and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, and came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.” We know that the chief priests and Pharisees counselled Pilate after the Lord’s death, to seal the sepulchre that held his body so it would not be taken out, but we read how the prophecy was fulfilled again – Matthew 28:1-2 “In the end of the Sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre. And, behold, there was a great earth quake for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door and sat upon it.” The women were the first to receive that wonderful message which was for all future generations – Luke 24:5-7 “And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth,” it was said unto them, “ why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen; remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee, saying, The son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.” The battle had been fought and won by Christ, for all mankind who now wished to again be reconciled to God through that link now provided; our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. He became and remains our only door of access to all the blessings of a loving Father. He taught this very clearly in John 10:1-4 “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him; for they know his voice.” As part of this called flock, we must always commit our ways to follow the only good shepherd, trust in His promises, always avail ourselves of the Grace He freely dispenses to all as He leads us, by the power of the Holy Ghost, which He sent unto us, to the coming Kingdom of God. This journey, because of Christ’s victory, can be made without any spiritual concerns or fear of those former enemies of mankind, Sin, Hell and Death. Of Sin the Apostle John teaches – 1 John 2:1-2 “My little children, these things I write unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: and he is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.” Our Lord confirmed this wonderful blessing as He appeared unto His Apostles and those gathered with them after His resurrection. Luke 24:47-48 “And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And ye are witnesses of these things.” Today we still are witnesses to this wonderful blessing dispensed ‘Peace be unto you’. Of Hell, our Lord promised His Apostles that the future church which would make the confession of Christ “Thou art the Christ, the son of the living God” then the gates of hell shall not prevail. He, by His great victory, has brought about the means that all who continue in this confession and follow His teaching, no longer need to fear this place of waiting for judgment. On the cross He promised a new and better place for the church, when He told the repenting male-factor, who did confess Him as the Christ. Luke 23:43 “And Jesus said unto him, verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise.” According to Revelation chapter 2, in Paradise is the tree of life. What a wonderful blessing. Of Death, death of this body no longer heralds the end. By our Lord’s resurrection He has proved that there will be life again for all believers. 1 Corinthians 15:20-23 “But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the first fruits of them that slept. For by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order: Christ the first fruits; and afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming.”
We the Apostles, do hope that all once again, experience the inward joy that comes from the risen Saviour. Psalm 107:1 “O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.”
Greetings from Apostle Dargusch & myself
Your brother & Apostle for Christ,
Cliff Flor.
Beloved Brethren in Office, Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
For forty days from His resurrection, the Lord laid the foundation for the new period of time, after His bringing to an end, the old – 2 Corinthians 5:17-18 “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away: behold, all things are become new. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation.” The visible ascension of Christ was the necessary sequel and seal of His resurrection – Romans 6:9-10 “Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more: death hath no more dominion over him. For in that he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God.” The chief corner stone for the new spiritual temple had now been put in place – 1 Peter 2:6 “Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.” The vine had been planted for the new world-wide vineyard – John 15:1-3 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.” The coming kingdom had been announced and the mysteries taught to His Apostles and the only means of entering in had been shown – John 14:6 “And Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” For all of these to grow would require special blessing, leadership and guidance from one blessed and given those powers. It was therefore necessary for Christ to ascend bodily to heaven to be consecrated to give these blessings. He has to be perfected. His perfection was proclaimed by the heavenly hosts when He entered into the heavens to show He had been victorious over His enemies, as foretold in Psalm 24:9-10 “Lift up your heads, O ye gates: even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts he is the King of glory.” His perfection was declared by the Father when He was seated at His right hand – Psalm 110:1 “The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.” And further this perfection was shown when our Lord was consecrated to be our high priest forevermore. Hebrews 5:5-6 “So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest: but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, today have I begotten thee. As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.” Christ himself confirmed how He was able to receive such a blessing and showed the church how it was also possible, when He gave Apostle John the message to the church of the La-odiceans in Revelation 3:14-20 and the promise in verse 21 “To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.” After His consecration, Christ then received gifts for men, so that in His role as the head of the church, He could dispense them with His own body and blood to allow the work to continue through flesh on earth. He has to abide in body with God, until He is sent forth again as the bridegroom, to gather His bride at a time only known to His Father – Mark 13 “But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.” He is for the church, as it were, an anchor sure and fast to whom the church must attach itself, knowing that this anchor cannot be moved. We have His promise given to His Apostles as He ascended so that His spiritual presence will always be available to the church. Matthew 28:18-20 “And Jesus came and spake unto them saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.” We know the Apostles were told not to depart from Jerusalem after His ascension but to wait for the first of those gifts to be sent from the Father, after He had been set at the right hand of God. Acts 1:8 “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come unto you, and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” This happened at the Pentecost festival a few days later, when devout Jews from many nations were gathered to witness this power and to see the fulfilment of the promise of the Prophet Hosea 1:10 “Yet the number of the children of Israel shall be as the sand of the sea, which cannot be measured nor numbered; and it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them. Ye are not my people, there it shall be said unto them. Ye are the sons of the living God.” This new way for all mankind had now begun, the church received the gift of the Holy Ghost from the head, that power that had allowed Him to fulfil His mission was now with the church. This was now proof that the church now had a perpetual intercessor in Christ as a gift – Romans 8:34 “Who is he that condemneth ? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.” We look back over many years of gift giving in many ways, to the church and should all offer special thanksgiving to our Lord as we recognize that without that advocacy in the throne of God, who is preparing a place for the church into the future, our lives would be very desolate indeed. The Apostle John in 1 John 2:1-3 summed it up so effectively “My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: and he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.” Let us all show our thanksgiving for this gift, by seeking to learn His teachings and with the aid of the Holy Spirit to live by them. Wishing all a blessed Ascension festival.
Greetings from Apostle Dargusch & myself. Your brother & Apostle for Christ,
Cliff Flor.
Beloved Brethren in Office, Brothers & Sisters in Christ,
By the Grace of Christ, we are again blessed to assemble to give thanks to the loving Father and our Saviour Jesus Christ as the head of the Church, for sending the third part of the Trinity God, The Holy Ghost, to the world to remain and labour in Christ’s stead, to prepare the Church for that great day when our Lord will return to claim His own. The Apostle Paul wrote, 2 Timothy 4:8 “Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.” The Church, as the new creation of God out of Christ, had to be given the spirit of God to allow it to live, function in Christ’s stead, spread to all nations, be guided in truth, to be redeemed and strengthened in faith in Christ and trust in God’s words. No earthly power or wisdom could achieve this. God had shown through the prophet Ezekiel 36:26-27 “A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgements, and do them.” We who accept this great blessing and striven to keep our hearts clean through the blessings and sacraments offered freely to us, allow ourselves to be a dwelling place for the Holy Ghost to link us to Christ and as a result then can be part of that great promise. John 1:12 “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.” This blessing was lost to the world when Adam and Eve fell into temptation of sin and was only restored through Christ’s mission on the earth. This restoration was promised by God through the prophet Hosea 1:9-10 “Then said God, call his name Lo am me: for ye are not my people, and I will not be your God. Yet the number of the children of Israel shall be as the sand of the sea, which can not be measured nor numbered; and it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, ye are not my people, there it shall be said unto them, ye are the sons of the living God.” We read in that same street and place over 800 years later, when the Apostles were gathered in prayer on the day of Pentecost, in Acts 2:2-4 “And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the spirit gave them utterance.” The scripture records that this news spread and devout Jews from every nation who had travelled to the festival, gathered and heard in their own language, the wonderful news that the prophecy had been fulfilled through the mission and sacrifice of Christ and that the Holy Ghost was now sent to complete this restoration throughout the whole world. The Apostle Peter’s sermon is recorded where he spoke of the fulfilment of prophecy, God’s foreordained plan that the Messiah would be crucified, of what David had foretold that Christ would be resurrected after breaking down the gates of hell and ascended to heaven to complete the work still required. Acts 2: 33-35 “Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear. For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, the Lord said unto my Lord, sit thou on my right hand, until I make thy foes thy footstool. Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath make that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.” And so by the power of the Holy Ghost given, began the work of the Apostles to fulfil their master’s instructions. Mark 24:47 “And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And ye are witnesses of these things.” Matthew 28:18-20 “And Jesus came and spake unto them saying. All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.” This work was done not by man, but men chosen to allow the Holy Spirit to work through them the same as it must be today in this latter day reign period of the Holy Ghost. The Apostle Paul taught – 1 Corinthians 2:12-13 “Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God: that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.” History shows us clearly how the Church can be led away from truth if the mind of man takes over. We see our great obligation as those called, to keep ourselves an acceptable dwelling place for the Holy Ghost. 1 Peter 2:5 “Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priest hood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.” It is so important for our future, if we want to be part of the kingdom period, that we keep this Holy Spirit active in our lives and within the Church. If we pass from this life we do not loose the blessings and power of the Holy Ghost in ensuring we can be part of the first resurrection – as recorded in Romans 8:11 “But if the spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his spirit that dwelleth in you.” When we consider the work of the Holy Ghost within our lives and the Church, we soon see why it is called a comforter. We should be so thankful to Christ for His intersession promised to His Apostles. John 14:15-18 “If you love me, keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another comforter, that he may abide with you for ever. Even the spirit of truth: whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him: for he dwelleth with you and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.” Let us all renew our sincere prayer through Christ that He will renew that promise again for us in the times ahead. The evidence that the spirit is with us should be seen in the fruits of the Holy Spirit coming through the Church as listed in many parts of the bible; Good works, righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, knowledge of God, love, joy, peace, long suffering, gentleness, faith, meekness, temperance, truth, mercy and so forth. We the Apostles, join with all in this prayer. Greetings from Apostle Dargusch & myself,
Your brother & Apostle for Christ, Cliff Flor.
PASTORAL LETTER FOR THANKSGIVING & MISSION FESTIVAL Mackay QLD.
Beloved Brethren in Office, Brothers & Sisters in Christ,
Offerings and Thanks to God for blessings is recorded in the Bible from the beginning. Genesis 4:3-5 “And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground in offering unto the Lord. And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the Lord had respect unto Abel and to his offering. But unto Cain and his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth and his countenance fell.” We see that thanksgiving must be a very sincere act and must be done in an attitude of true acknowledgement of God’s love to us. After the sin flood we read – Genesis 8:20-21 “And Noah builded an altar unto the Lord, and took of every clean beast, and of every clean fowl, and offered burnt offerings on the altar. And the Lord smelled a sweet savour; and the Lord said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man’s sake; for the imagination of man’s heart is evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more every living thing, as I have done.” We see that sincere thanksgiving opens the door for petition and brings forth many further blessings to the Church. Under the Mosaic law, thanks offerings were prescribed, always in conjunction with peace offerings, to offer thanks to God for the prosperity shown unto the people. We read in the bible that Mary and Joseph came to the temple with the desire in their hearts in bringing a thanks offering for the blessings granted them with the birth of Jesus. Luke 2:24 “And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.” Because of this we read of the great promise and blessings given by the Holy Ghost through Simeon, who was present and also blessed God. Verse 30-31 “For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.” As the old order and law period now came to an end where we see that thanksgiving was always associated to a special blessing, so a new way began. All thanksgiving now has a central link, that Grace of God in Christ. It is gratitude, for all the benefits of divine providence and redemption available for the soul. 2 Corinthians 9:15 “Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.” This true gratitude connects every good gift and every perfect gift of Christ and His Grace; that is why Apostle Paul wrote – 1 Thessalonians 5:18 “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” We see that all thanksgiving allows grace to be extended by Christ to benefit all. 2 Corinthians 4:15 “For all things are for your sakes, that abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound (be an advantage) to the glory of God.” As we think back on the Mission work over the years and the thanksgiving that all offered during that time, we can certainly see how the Grace of Christ has been granted to the Church, through the Holy Ghost, in abundance through those channels of blessing put in place by our Lord. Ephesians 4:11-13 “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ. Till we all come in unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.” Today we give thanks for the re-establishment of the Apostle ministry into the world and by the Grace of Christ, that a bearer of that ministry was guided to be sent on mission to this land to plant into the hearts of souls that seed of Apostolic faith. Ephesians 4:15 “But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ.” We give thanks for the continuing blessings over many years, of the dispensation of Grace to all believing souls and the great hope that has been planted within our lives of the return of Christ, the marriage in heaven, the establishment of the Kingdom of God and then eternal life in heaven. We must never become complacent because we have been chosen to be recipients of these blessings; no, a great obligation exists to do what we can to support the ongoing mission labour to help others also find their way through this troubled world. Isaiah 9:2 “The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.” This light is our Lord, Jesus Christ, who we know now sits at the right hand of God. He has chosen us to be His example on earth to show the light to all seeking a better way than being in the shadow of death with no hope. He gave us all this commission – Matthew 5:14-16 “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candle stick: and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” All can by their lives, show this light, by praying to bless the mission work, by offerings, by teaching in the family, in schools, work places etc. As we see the world events, it is easy to loose heart but we should take heed of Apostle James’ words – chapter 1:3-5 “Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not: and it shall be given him.” The book of Joel is a prophecy for the Apostolic Christian Church, as it records the restoration of the Apostle Ministry and the mission work to be done. As we look into the world and witness the events, we can see this foretold in chapter 3:13 “Put ye in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe: come, get you down: for the press if full, the fats overflow; for their wickedness is great. Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision.” Our Lord taught what we must do – Luke 10:2 “Therefore said he unto them. The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.” Let us all offer ourselves to answer this call in whatever way we can.
Trusting that all have a sincere festival so future blessings can flow.
Cliff Flor.