The Apostolic Church of Queensland
Established Queensland 1886 - Registered under the "Religious, Education and Charitable Institution Act of 1861"
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WORD OF LIFE   No. 33 – 2009.

TEXT - James 4:6
"God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble."

In these few words that God gave to this earth, we all stand either to be resisted by God for eternal life, or to be blessed by God for eternal life. It is very important for us therefore to understand that it is only through the grace of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ that we can receive this eternal life, for none of us can achieve without this grace to be reconciled to God, and to be His sons and daughters. Therefore it is the key element on our way to this promise and this hope. Now, if it is the key element or the driving force, or the fuel, or however we like in our own minds eye to look at this journey, if grace is the key thing then we have to make ourselves a receptacle to be able to have that within us. According to the Word of God it can only be granted unto those who are humble, for God resisteth the proud, but He giveth grace unto the humble. So we see the importance of the text word today in understanding what this humbleness and meekness means to us. According to the Scriptures and according to God's teachings on the matter,  humbleness and meekness mean that it is an inward and spiritual feeling that we have to came to grips with, where we acknowledge that we are dependant on a spiritual being greater than us. Now Satan also understands that this is the way to salvation. He goes around and he tries to have us all exalt ourselves so that we do not link ourselves or believe in the spiritual sense we are dependant on a higher power, and that we are only equal with one another. Each of us have within ourselves that spiritual being that was granted unto mankind when God created man from the dust of the earth, but Satan is cunning and most of us, if we are alert, and if we allow this spirit to lead us, we can see the difference between being proud and humble.  Satan is cunning and he undermines this humbleness in a different way, and we see that happening in the world. We see that he enters into the minds of people, and he has them believe that they are not as good as their fellow man. He has them put down. We have often heard how this putting down then turns to depression and people lose heart, and people see themselves as not being created in the image of God. We see in the world today the results of that. People turning to alternate ways to drop out. People turning to suicide because they feel that they are not equal. Now that is the down side of what Satan is trying to do, and we must be very careful that we do not allow ourselves to misinterpret the word humbleness. Christ showed very clearly while He was on this earth, that He acknowledged that there was a greater power that He was answerable to, but He did not downgrade Himself. He left Himself at the level of all Men where God had created them. He was able to stand with the poorest of poor, and He was able to give them comfort and uplift them. He was able to stand in the presence of governors and kings, and He was able to maintain and show them through His actions of what His purpose on earth was. We have to understand this humbleness and this meekness, so that we can receive this grace. We have to acknowledge that at all times we are dependant on a mightier power, that we are but sons and daughters of our Heavenly Father, and as our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ displayed His whole life in humbleness and meekness, we too must do the same if we are to receive the blessings of God. We can do that each and everyday of our lives as we begin the day by praying - Heavenly Father, Almighty God. Those few words show us that we are dependant on a mightier power than we, and it sets for the day those things on how we can lead our lives and suppress this proudness that will always come and try and be placed in our way. This knowledge should lead us to taking that next step in our lives from Faith to Trust; Proverbs 28: 25-26. "He that is of a proud heart stireth up strife: but he that putteth his trust in the Lord shall be made fat. He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.

APOSTLE CLIFF FLOR
NORTH QUEENSLAND

 

WORD OF LIFE  No. 34 – 2009.

TEXT - 1 Peter - 3:8.
"Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be piteful, be courteous."

We are in the season of Advent and should know that the word 'Advent' means coming. The main reason for our celebration of Advent "is not because "of the actual coming of Jesus Christ but because of the expectation of His coming again. The period of Advent, when properly understood, influences our lives in two ways:
We remember the various events which preceded the first coming of Jesus, especially the awaiting of the promised Messiah and the references to Him, who would bruise the head of the serpent, the source of all evil. The hope of His second coming, when He would take His Bride unto Himself, celebrate the wedding of  the Lamb and establish the thousand year reign of peace.  Remembering is good, but expectation is much more! Remembering directs our  gaze into the past and this can give joy, but expectation is a state of  mind involving much more, i.e. when one looks forward to a happy event, be it the birth of a child, promotion, getting a diploma etc., the following effects can be noticed: The person concerned is happy in advance. This is why the term 'in joyful expectation' is used. There is also a lot of extra activity. When an examination draws near greater efforts are made. Before an expected promotion we strive harder and take great care to avoid blunders. Before a birth, parents make a lot of preparations. Psychiatrists tell us it is important for our mental well being to have a definite goal in life. When we have a common goal the danger of disunity as to how we should achieve it arises. History proves the hope of Christ's coming, and later His second coming, often caused great conflicts and rifts. Even during the time of the first Apostles there was disunity and discord caused by differences of opinion over the manner of preparation for and the exact time of Christ's second coming, ie:-
1. The Lord's coming is still a long way off. "Where is the promise of His coming? Since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation." (2.Peter 3:4).
2. The Lord's coming is at hand. "We will or must be witnesses to it," some say. Such a belief could lead to panic or fanaticism. Even during Peter's time the different opinions about the Lord's coming caused great tension. Peter therefore said that "one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day;" (2.Peter 3:8).              
Already in the second century after Christ there was a group of Christians who went up onto a high mountain, because they thought Christ would come at any moment and take only them. This same idea of exclusiveness has reappeared often through the ages. These, who consider themselves the chosen ones, cannot conceive that Christ has other sheep too. Many examples from history could be sighted in this context.
Our attitude as Apostolic Christians should be different. We know Christ said: "Therefore be ye also ready, for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.” (Matt. 24: 43), and Jesus' warning: "But be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not." (Luke 12:40). We must prepare ourselves for the day when the Lord will come with joyful hope and
greater efforts. Jesus will fulfil His promises and His Kingdom will come. We believe all this will come to pass in its due time as the Lord has said.  Living according to Jesus' teaching, being tolerant and kind to each other and striving to do that which is right, is far better than wasting our time and energy in pointless and endless arguments and quarrels over dogmas and theology.

APOSTLE CHR. BOERMEESTER
HOLLAND. (Since Retired.)

 

WORD OF LIFE  No. 35 - 2009.

TEXT-Judges 14:5 - 9.
"Then went Samson down, and his father and his mother, to Timnath, and came to the
vineyards of Timnat:; and, behold, a young lion roared against him. And the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon him, and he rent him as he would have rent a kid, and he had nothing in his hand: but he told not his father or his mother what he had done. And he went down, and talked with the woman; and she pleased Samson well. And after a time he returned to take her, and he turned aside to see the carcase of the lion: and, behold, there was a swarm of  bees and honey in the carcase of the lion. And he took thereof in his hands, and went on eating, and came to his father and mother, and he gave them and they did eat but he told not them that he had taken the honey out of the carcase of the lion. "

Although this event took place 3100 years ago, the teaching in the story is as important today as in the Days of Samson. We read how Samson was confronted by a young lion roaring against him. It would be very frightening. In our day, this is represented by the temptations and trials thrown against us by Satan. We too often think they are beyond us and they too, seem so frightening to us as that lion would have been for Samson. We see how Samson gained a victory only by the reason that "the Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon him."   We in our day also can call on this Spirit, the Holy Ghost, to strengthen us in our battle.  As Apostle James writes, chapter 4:7 "Submit yourselves therefore to God, resist the devil, and he will flee from you." But we see Samson kept the matter to himself, he did not even tell his parents, in plain language , he did not boast about what he had done, because he knew a greater power than himself had been with him. Christ, while on earth, also taught us the same message in that great Sermon on the Mount Matt 6.1-4. "Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them, otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound the trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But when thou doest alms let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: That thine alms may be in secret and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly,"  and further the message on fasting in 16-18 has a similar instruction.

Certainly this applies to Samson for when he returned later, he was to find in the carcase a
swarm of bees and honey, and he was able to eat of that sweet food and also pass it on to his loved ones for them to share in this blessing. We see from this victory done in the right way, came sweetness, and so it is with our victories aided by God's spirit and not boasted about,they too will be converted into a sweetness that the Bible refers to as ‘Righteousness’ and stored up for us to eternal life. This knowledge fills us with peace and contentment, and we are then in a position to spread this sweetness in the same way as the blessing from God could be shared by Samson with his parents. There is no happier moment in any parents life than when they can share the peace, love and blessings with their children.  


APOSTLE CLIFF FLOR
NORTH QUEENSLAND

 

WORD OF LIFE    No. 36 – 2009.

TEXT - Luke 2:8-11.
"And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory 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."

May the peace of the Christmas message reach everybody, the lonely, depressed, worried, even the happy and carefree. Our textword is the very first Christmas Sermon ever preached. Every word has meaning and impact. Most important is the happy news God brings to all peoples, to have courage and joy. We all know how much suffering fear and worry can cause. Depressing circumstances delude us into the feeling that there is no way out of such a dark spiritual mood. Those with a weak or superficial nature are weakened spiritually, which does not lead to a solution. The whole world suffers separation from God and the sinfulness associated with this. God wants to stop this separation. Ever since this gulf came into being He has been striving for our salvation. 

Just as the silver glow breaks through the darkened horizon and heralds the coming day, so does the promise of God, that He would send a Messiah, shine through the pages of the Old Testament. Most well known is Isaiah's Christmas text: For unto us a child is born ... , Isaiah 9:5-6, or as he said of David's son: And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse .... ,Isaiah 11 :1- 2. (Jesse is an ancestor in the royal house of David). Micah spoke of Bethlehem: But thou, Bethlehem Ephrata, though thou be little among the thousands of Juda, yet out of thee shall come forth unto me that is to be the ruler of Israel ... Micah 5:2. Jeremiah's prophecy of a righteous branch: Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch ... ,Jer.23:5-6. Zechariah's royal proclamation: Rejoice greatly, 0 daughter of  Zion. ", Zech.9:9.etc. etc. With the birth of Christ these promises were fulfilled and the first message in these joyful tidings was: Fear not! 

God gives us courage! He does not judge mankind, but offers in His Son salvation and forgiveness. "For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one man many shall be made righteous." Romans 5:19.   Where the glory of the Lord has captured our hearts through grace and truth, there is no room for fear and discouragement, only for great joy! That is the character of the New Testament, not to bring judgement but the joyful tidings of our salvation. It is an act of sheer goodness and mercy: God has come to us through His Son and has made His abode with us! This simply fills us with happiness. Now it is up to us to grasp the salvation which is offered. "For unto you is born this day a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord." This is the Christmas message. When God speaks thus, we may have comfort and trust that He really does mean us. Every individual may declare Jesus has been born for me! God has given me a great present. My salvation is here! Everything hinged on the incarnation of God in His Son. We can be thankful that God continues to send His ambassadors in the name of Christ, that we know Apostles of the Lord and true teachers of the faith through whom we may hear the, admonition of the Lord. "Be ye reconciled to God." 2.Cor.5:20. Jesus Christ is for us the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. 

The fact that God permitted Himself to be humbled and disguised in flesh conceals for us the keys to the Kingdom of Glory. All those who have experienced the wonder of Christmas will know that whatever happens the future belongs to the Kingdom of God. Whatever our sufferings may be, the great change in this world shall come and we see through the eyes of the Apostle John on the island of Patmos "And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever." Rev.11 :15. Behold I come quickly, hold fast what thou hast, that no man may steal thy crown.

APOSTLE RUDI GASSMEYER
GERMANY. (Since Retired.)

 

WORD OF LIFE   No. 37 – 2009.

TEXT - Daniel 12:3-6.
"And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament: and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever. But thou, 0 Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased. Then I Daniel looked, and, behold, there stood other two, the one on this side of the bank of the river, and the other on that side of the bank of the river, and one said to the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, How long shall it be to the end of these wonders?"            

The Prophet Daniel saw a period of time coming that has never been before, and that time stands before us. We should not be fearful of it, for if we have spent the time in preparing ourselves to be as Christ, then we will rejoice for we acknowledge we have moulded our life on that of Jesus Christ. Those things that happened to Him must also happen to the Church. We look beyond those happenings to see the reward for those who have allowed themselves to be separated from the world, and they were seen as bright stars shining forth so that the rest of the world could see the light, and for those who had turned many to righteousness a special shine was given unto them. We must be seen as separate from the rest of the world. We must not take these blessings for granted, for he saw the one in linen standing on the waters, and therein we see the key to the water of baptism; for the one standing in linen was our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, for He has already, His robe clean and white, He is prepared to stand on the waters and use that water as a means that we too, can have our robes white and clean. We may ask, why the Lord uses this water? We have to go to the very first words of the Scriptures, where God created the heaven and the earth and it was as a firmament of water, the first creation of God was this water. We see everything has its beginning with this water, and the Spirit of the Lord moved on the waters.  In these waters the Spirit of God uses that power to once again begin a creation, a new creation in every one of us through that baptism of water. God separated that water in a firmament above and a firmament below, and both of those sections of water provided many blessings. The one below became the sea, and God put into that sea many fish and much sustenance for mankind. From the Firmament above God created a mist, and that mist grew vegetation and animals in this world, and man could sustain himself. All of this sustenance was brought about by this one blessing to this world, water. That is why water was chosen to be the instrument, to be the rebirth of mankind through baptism. It is a blessing granted unto this world by our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, that through the spiritual workings of this baptism we can be fed from below, that is, we can receive the many blessings in this life, and we could look upwards and we can see and be fed by the Spirit of God. Christ confirmed this, where He said that out of Him will pour much water which is the Holy Spirit, and he who drinketh of that water, will never thirst again but will have eternal life. The Prophet Daniel saw those who were written in the Book of Life, and through this baptism we begin a new life, we are written in the Book of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, and we then have to work to keep ourselves in that book. With the children of Israel, their covenant was sealed with circumcision, and through that circumcision they were seen to be different from the rest of the world. Unfortunately we can read in the scriptures how they often used that gift of circumcision in reverse. God planned it to be a separation from the other nations of the world, so they could look upon it and give praise to the Almighty God as they received blessings over and above the other nations of the world . Often they took that blessing and they begin to get arrogant with it, and they began to look at those who were not circumcised, and they began to sneer at them, elevated themselves through this pride, for they believed God had given them a sign that put them above the world. Through Christian history we can see that many times Christians also have shifted that thanks and praise, and the true meaning of baptism from a blessing of God to something that put them above the other people of the world. We can read of the crusades and all the scourging, and all that which went on in the world in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ because the people were baptised. They forgot that it was a blessing of God. They forgot that it signified that we had to go to the beginning of our creation, the birth of Christ, and see the humbleness and the meekness there, and hold and sustain that humbleness and meekness all the way through. We have been taught that the only time an Apostolic Christian is allowed to look down on a fellowman, is if he is reaching down to help him up from where he has fallen. Let us always value this universal sacrament of baptism, that separates us from the world, which is the beginning of a new creation.


APOSTLE CLIFF FLOR
NORTH QUEENSLAND

 

WORD OF LIFE    No. 38 -2009.

TEXT – Psalm 26: 1-6
“Judge me, O Lord, for I have walked in mine integrity: I have trusted also in the Lord; therefore I shall not slide.  Examine me, O Lord, and prove me; try my reins and my heart.  For thy lovingkindness is before mine eyes:  and I have walked in thy truth.  I have not sat with vain persons, neither will go with dissemblers.  I have hated the congregation of evil doers; and will not sit with the wicked.  I will wash mine hands in innocency: so will I compass thine alter, O Lord.”
This song of David is expressing his trust and confidence to the Lord, although he is the youngest amongst the seven sons of Jesse, from his childhood to youth, he was so obedient to his parents and his older brothers.  David was a shepherd by calling and continued until his manhood, with courage and strength but in the public eye he still appeared as a youth.  When Samuel the prophet was sent to Jesse he learned the lesson from God 1 Samuel 16 : 7 The Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.  Seven sons of Jesse passed by but were not chosen by God.  It was only the youngest, David passed the examination test and the Spirit of God instructed Samuel to anoint David in Bethlehem and the Spirit of the Lord came upon David from that day forward.  We can read of a second account where the gifts of David were seen by a servant of King Saul in that he recognised in David he was a cunning player of the harp who was able to sooth a troubled mind and this happened to King Saul who summoned him to play to give him peace and David played to him as he was led by the Spirit of the Lord and this bought about peace. 1 Samuel 16 :23 “So Saul was refreshed, and was well and the evil spirit departed from him.”  Saul appointed David to be his armour bearer.  The third recorded action of David to show his trust in God was when Saul and the people were doing battle with the Philistines and the giant Goliath challenged a warrior to face him.  David was the only one moved to volunteer to face him.  He did not accept the armour offered by the King but took a sling shot and 5 stones and his trust in God and defeated Goliath.  David did this without knowledge of the promise given by King Saul that anyone who can face the Philistine giant will be given riches and the hand of his daughter in marriage.  To finish the victory David took Goliath’s sword and beheaded him.  We see he used the guidance of God who gave him strength and power.  He put aside the power of man handed in the armour from Saul and took up God’s power in the simple sling slot.  He then played the music words in Psalm 26 as in our text.  Verses 7 to 12 are also important “That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all thy wondrous works.  Lord, I have loved the habitation of thy house, and the place where thine honour dwelleth.  Gather not my soul with sinners, nor my life with bloody men.  In whose hands is mischief, and their right hand is full of bribes.  But as for me, I will walk in mine integrity : redeem me, and be merciful unto me.  My foot standeth in an even place: in the congregations will I bless the Lord.”
These experiences and thanksgiving of David were also followed by our Lord Jesus Christ and should also be made to be part of our lives.

                                                                                          Elder Dagsi Dalunang

                                                                                          Lamao Phillippines.

 

WORD OF LIFE   No. 39 -2009.

TEXT - Proverbs 30: 5-9:
“Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar. Two things have I required of thee; deny me them not before I die: Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me: Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the Lord? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain.”

We see King Solomon came to the conclusion that if he was blessed too much in the natural life he would come to the conclusion he did not need God and he would deny God and say - Who is this God for I have everything that I need? He also said that if he asks for too little and begins to starve, then he will begin to steal from others and then he will take the name of the Lord in vain and he will say – “Who is this God who is supposed to be feeding me? Where is He? Why has He abandoned me?” He said to ask the Lord for the blessings that are convenient for him. We should also do the same thing. It will not always be the same amount of blessing for each and everyone. Some have to suffer more than others. Some seem to be enriched more than others. But they have to be blessings that are convenient for them. To them that much is given, much is expected. Usually we find that to be the case. Those who are blessed, unless they have made the mistake of the Apostle Peter with the draft of fish and turned that blessing into greed and vanity, those who are blessed are usually those who give more to their fellowman than those who are not blessed so much. In the sight of God all of  those blessings are equal because they have come from Him. We can see that we also as we go through life of opening the door of thanksgiving, opening the door of petition, asking for blessings in our lives, that in our own minds we  have to remember that we have to do it in a way that those blessings will be convenient for us. We read in the Bible that our Lord when He went through the city followed by His disciples, a leper came to Him. Leprosy in those days ate away the body. They were put out of the city and they were not allowed to be part of society.  Leprosy is equal to the sinful world that we live in. Those things that eat away at us, the hatred that can come into our lives, not being contented, those riches, vanity and chasing after all of those things. In God's sight leprosy means His enemies, the enemies of death, the enemies of hell, and the enemies of sin. We are all contaminated with them. We live in a sinful world, we cannot avoid it.  The leper asked the Lord that if it is His will please heal me. We see therein we have to be called to be able to ask the Lord of these things. We should be so thankful that we have been called by our Lord into the means wherein this current day leprosy within our lives can be healed. The Lord said unto Him - I will.  The Lord will always say unto us - I will, if we take our troubles and problems to Him. He was healed immediately and he was about to run and tell everyone of this healing. But under the law of Moses he had to first go and show himself to the priest and make an offering before he could tell others. The law of Moses is complete, and we now live under grace and our first obligation when we recognise that we are healed or blessed in anyway is to go and give thanksgiving and make an offering unto our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ and then tell others. We read  that the word of the healed leper spread throughout the whole land.  If we go and tell others that I have been blessed, I have been healed, I have done this, I have done that, there will be no blessing. If we firstly give thanksgiving to the Almighty God and then we say - The Lord has blessed me, the Lord has healed me, the Lord has called me, the Lord has cleansed me, the Lord is great and omnipotent, and He is preparing me for the Kingdom of God, then that word also will spread. How do we give thanksgiving unto God? Through prayer.  What did out Lord show on that day?  How He rendered prayer. He went off into the wilderness by Himself and quietly prayed unto His Heavenly Father. We too within our hearts, within our homes, within our lives, within the congregation have the opportunity to go to Him at all  times, for we have access now through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ to offer unto Him the thanksgiving for all the blessings that we have received daily through His love. If we do that we can then tell others. Our first obligation is to quietly join with God through our Saviour Jesus Christ, through the power of the Holy Spirit, and make that thanksgiving, and then bring it forth with a sacrifice that can help others find this way. Prayers will always be answered the Apostle John wrote. If we obey Christs’ commandments and words, all prayers then will be given unto us. What a great promise. Let us approach life  in the light of our Lord's teaching, for remember King Solomon said very clearly that the Word of God is always true. It is a shield to those who embrace it, but we must never add to it or take anything away. If we add to it or take away we could be made a liar, and none of us want to do that. Stand firm to the Word of God, listen and take it to heart, give thanksgiving to open the door for petition, and ask the Lord for blessings convenient for us and also to allow others to also partake of this wonderful blessing.          

APOSTLE CLIFF FLOR
NORTH QUEENSLAND

 

WORD OF LIFE  No. 40 -2009.

TEXT – Matthew 24:13.
“But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.”

"For a thousand years in they sight are but as yesterday when it is past, and as a watch in the night", that is what Moses prayed in Psalm 90.
In comparison to such dimensions, how humble are the time frames with which we are dealing and calculating! In view of this, is it worthwhile at all to talk about a year that has passed?
Defining our current position in life and deciding which course to take is always necessary to make sure that we are still going in the right direction. That is why we need fixed points and locations on our journey inviting us to rest and reflect.
Surely we have noticed that we require a lot of courage in order to swim upstream, to voice our own opinion. We have also noticed that it is not only due to ungodly influences but that the person who wants to deter us from doing GOD'S will is quite likely to be ourselves.
Looking back we have to confess that sometimes it was difficult to accept GOD'S will and when admitting it, to follow it wholeheartedly? It is only due to the indescribable grace of GOD that we get another chance time and time again and thanks to His patience we are granted development and self-growth.
In Hebrew 13:9 we read:" ... For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace . ? How comforting is this? GOD Himself wants to secure our hearts, grant us perseverance, strengthen our faith and increase our trust in Him. And we do not have to rely on just words and promises. We can experience GOD! Amazed, grateful and embarrassed all at once, we have to admit that He supports us despite our indecision and lack of faith.
What a wonderful experience: All the uncertainty and untrustworthiness of men, all incalculability of life is balanced by the constancy and absolute reliability of GOD. So there is no reason for resignation or fear. CHRIST will definitely return. GOD will definitely establish His glorious kingdom for all those who have been true to the end as they will be part of His kingdom. It is all about reaching this goal, receiving everlasting life and the promise of salvation for all those who are steadfast in clinging to the word of GOD.
It is commendable to use the quiet time between the old year and the new to reflect on all this with a new attitude and determination!
And how blessed will we be when we do not just make "resolutions" for the new year but instead decide here and now to change our actions. This could mean that decisions already made will be revised or those we were hesitant about are made now. This could also mean that we are serious about changing some old habits.
In any case, this will mean that we will pray to GOD earnestly and with an honest heart to give us new focus where necessary and to humbly and trustfully place the guidance of our lives in GOD'S hands.
All troubles and tribulations in our lives will appear in another light when we walk with GOD. Apostle Paul said:"For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us." (Romans 8:18). With GOD who has guided us so far, we are on our way to a glorious future.
Under these circumstances the conclusion of this year might be a very quiet occasion but in any case it will be full of hope and therefore a deeply happy festival.

 APOSTLE WILFRIED BARON
GERMANY. (Since Retired.)

 

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