Glad Tidings
Volume 1 7, Issue 1
Januar y/Febr uar y 201 3
Glad Tidings January/February 2013
Prepare Your Minds; Fix Your Hope On Grace .............. p.7 by Mary Ann Yaconis
Something To Consider ............... p.3 by Vince Finnegan Long Suffering & Kindness ......... p.4
The Congo Connection .............. p.9 by Cheryl Elton
by Vince Finnegan Seek Yahweh:
Love Like God............................. p.12 by Vince Finnegan
May Yahweh Be With You ............ p.6 by john Cortright
Mark these important dates on your calendar!! February 2222-23 Galatians Seminar Living Hope Community Church March 1616-17 Kingdom Fest Long Island NY April 2 2 Spring BEC Living Hope Community Church June 3030-July 6 Family Camp Silver Bay July 2828-August 2 Teen Camp Silver Bay May 3131-June 1st 1st Women’s Advance Living Hope Community Church Glad Tidings is published six times per year by Living Hope International Ministries 458 Old Niskayuna Road, Latham, New York 12110 USA
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Glad Tidings is mailed free to anyone who requests it. Scriptures are taken from the New American Standard Bible unless otherwise noted.
SOMETHING TO CONSIDER: Love God Earthshaking, a bombshell, is the revelation recorded in the book of Hosea. Yahweh told His prophet, Hosea, to marry “an adulterous wife” or as another translation states “wife of harlotry.” I do not think she was already adulterous before they married; rather, she had an adulterous character and would eventually commit the act. He also told him that the children they had together would have the same kind of character as their mother. He married her, had three children, and then she left him for another man or men. Equally as shocking, or even more, so was God’s command to love her again and take her back. Hosea obeyed by buying her back for fifteen shekels of silver and a homer and half of barley. We understand Hosea and Gomer’s relationship as parallel to Yahweh and Israel’s relationship. When Hosea prophesied about Israel’s idolatrous ways (also called adulterous ways), he did so with all the passion and compassion of one who was a victim of adultery. He understood the pain Yahweh felt about Israel’s love for other gods. Hosea prophesied with humble passion. To think Hosea took her back and more so that someday Yahweh will take Israel back as His people is astounding. Infidelity in marriage is devastating and provides a very descriptive analogy to understand how God feels about Israel. What could be more harmful than infidelity? There is something that would be worse − if the lover was the child of the spouse! The Church today who worships Jesus as God in essence steals the devotion and fidelity that should be reserved for Yahweh only and gives it to His Son. If He suffered over Israel, how much more does He suffer over the church today? To some degree, we should recognize and feel Yahweh’s pain as Hosea did so that we may understand and love Him more. Knowing that so many have disrespected our glorious God and Father should be part of our motivation for worshipping Him as He wants to be worshipped (according to the Scriptures). Our commitment as we begin a new year should be to worship and glorify Yahweh with more commitment and determination than ever before.
With my prayers for you,
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Longsuffering and Kindness By Vince Finnegan
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ongsuffering and kindness are two of God’s many outstanding characteristics that He wants His children to emulate. In Noah’s time, the wickedness of man was so great that “every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually" (Genesis 6:5). God was grieved in His heart, but Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord. Because of Noah, God patiently endured everyone else until the ark was prepared. God’s patient endurance is called “longsuffering” in the King James Bible and patience in the New American Standard Bible. I Peter 3:20 (KJV) Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water. When God revealed His proper name, YAHWEH, to Moses, part of His description of Himself was that He was longsuffering.
Exodus 34:6 And the LORD [YAHWEH] passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD [YAHWEH], The LORD [YAHWEH] God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, Longsuffering or suffering long is having forbearance and selfrestraint before proceeding to ac-
tion. It is to be long on patience with others even if their actions are evil. God’s longsuffering for all of mankind from the beginning is mindboggling and heart-warming. He is so indescribably good! When we consider the rebellious evil actions of humanity throughout the ages, it is unimaginable that God has allowed us to continue. However, He has done so because of His longsuffering. II Peter 3:9 and 10
The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night.... Longsuffering is part of His great love, and God wants His children to behave as He does. He has given us the ability to have the same longsuffering towards others. As we are mindful of His longsuffering for us, then we, too, can be longsuffering with others. Much fighting, anger, and division in the Church can be eliminated when we manifest longsuffering for one another.
Ephesians 4:1-3 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
All of us at times have difficulty in our walks with God. During these times, to be with us is not always pleasant. When others go through the same things, longsuffering helps us to endure those unpleasant times.
I Thessalonians 5:14 and 15 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient [longsuffering] toward all men. See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men. God’s Kingdom is coming. Jesus the Christ is coming back to rule here on earth. Today is an evil day with many trials and tribulations, but we can be longsuffering because his coming is drawing near.
James 5:7-9 Be patient [longsuffering] therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience [longsuffering] for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. Be ye also patient [longsuffering]; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh. Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door. God’s kindness is equally amazing. When God brought the children of (Continued on page 5)
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Israel to the border of the Promised Land, they refused to obey Him and go into the land. Nehemiah reflected back on God’s attitude towards this hardened, rebellious people.
Nehemiah 9:17 And refused to obey, neither were mindful of thy wonders that thou didst among them; but hardened their necks, and in their rebellion appointed a captain to return to their bondage: but thou art a God ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and forsookest them not.
For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
The Greek word translated "kindness" is also translated "goodness" four times and "gentleness" once. All these words aid our understanding as they are synonyms expressing a generous, sympathetic, considerate attitude towards others which is transposed into actions. God manifested forth His kindness to us when we were hateful and totally undeserving of it.
Titus 3:3-5
God’s extraordinary kindness is evidenced all around us in that we have life, food, air, water, etc. His promises about the return of our Lord Jesus Christ and eternal life are an incomprehensible kindness, yet His Word declares that they will come to pass.
Ephesians 2:7 That in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
That God did not utterly forsake them was indeed great kindness. Once again, God is our model to follow regarding this aspect of love. His kindness is that which leads men to repentance, to changing.
Romans 2:4 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?
humanity. Kindness is the opposite of harshness. So rarely is this quality manifested that when someone is truly kind, it shines out just as a halogen light in darkness. No man of himself has this quality of life. Kindness comes from God and is manifested in the life of one who is walking by the spirit.
Kindness is contrasted with the hardhearted attitudes of bitterness, wrath, anger, etc.
Ephesians 4:31 and 32 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you. Rather than being harsh, rough, severe, or violent, kindness is being tender with people. As a file bears down on its object, wearing and tearing until it eventually grinds down the surface, so is the harshness of this world on the hearts of 5
In view of His kindness, how could we be anything but kind to all with whom we come in contact? Our kindness to others is to be unconditional. We are kind, not because people deserve it, but because God commands it.
Luke 6:35 and 36 But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful. Where would we be without His longsuffering and kindness? Be like your Father to others.
Seek Yahweh:
By John Cortright
May Yahweh Be With You
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he Mishnah provides insight into early Jewish thought and practice. It comprises the earliest recorded words of the ancient scribes and priests. This was the oral law, which laid the foundation for another later document – the Jewish Talmud. The sect of the Pharisees rose to great prominence, especially after the destruction of the Temple in 70 AD. In the eyes of the Pharisees, the oral law was just as important as the written Torah. The sect of the Sadducees divided greatly with the Pharisees on this point, as they acknowledged that only the written Scriptures were authoritative. However, after the First Jewish War, the Sadducees as well as the Essenes became less and less significant in Judaism, and the Pharisees became the sole guiding rule for the Jewish faith. The use of the Mishnah as a source for proper religious practice can justifiably be questioned. However, reading the Mishnah to gain historical understanding about Judaism offers great insight. “The Mishnah may be defined as a deposit of four
centuries of Jewish religious and cultural activity in Palestine, beginning at some uncertain date (possibly during the earlier half of the second century B.C.) and ending with the close of the second century A.D.” One very insightful practice regarding the use of the name of God is recorded in the First Division of the Mishnah, called Zeraim, in the tractate, Berakoth. Here it states: “And it was ordained that a man should salute his fellow with the use of the Name of God; for it is written, And, behold, Boaz came from Bethlehem, and said unto the reapers, The Lord be with you. And they answered him, The Lord bless thee. And it is written, The Lord is with thee, thou mighty man of valour.” When a man saluted or greeted another it was proper to use the name of God. This common tradition was part of ancient Israel and apparently was still being practiced in Second Temple Judaism. This use of the name of God to greet and to bless can be
seen in the book of Ruth.
Ruth 2:4 Now behold, Boaz came from Bethlehem and said to the reapers, "May the LORD [Yahweh] be with you." And they said to him, "May the LORD [Yahweh] bless you." As well, when the angel came to Gideon, he invoked the name of God in his greeting.
Judges 6:12 The angel of the LORD [Yahweh] appeared to him and said to him, "The LORD [Yahweh] is with you, O valiant warrior." One of the great uses of invoking God’s name can be seen in the instruction to Aaron to bless the children of Israel. In this blessing, Yahweh’s name was used in bringing His grace and peace upon God’s people.
Numbers 6:23-27 "Speak to Aaron and to his sons, saying, 'Thus you shall bless the sons of Israel. You shall say to them: The LORD [Yahweh] bless you, and keep you; The LORD [Yahweh] make His face shine on you, And be gracious to you; The LORD [Yahweh] lift up His countenance on you, And give you peace.' (Continued on page 8)
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Prepare Your Minds; Fix Your Hope on Grace
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recent movie, Les Miserables, brought back to remembrance my senior high school English class where we read and discussed Victor Hugo’s novel. At that time, I was completely crushed at the unjust pain and suffering. Because of the pain, I lost insights into the heroic character who, having himself received mercy and grace, bestowed this same mercy and grace to others. At the end of his life, he was truly the victor over evil. To be able to sustain a Christian life means that we live above the evil of the world. Peter explains to us how we as Christians maintain a Christ-like life.
1 Peter 1:1 To those who reside as aliens, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, who are chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with His blood: May grace and peace be yours in the fullest measure. Early Christians had to be able to live in the difficult times of extreme oppression which they endured from within the Christian church, from Jews who did not accept Christ, as well as from Gentiles who worshipped pagan gods. To encourage them, Peter begins his letter with a reminder of the absolute joy of the coming of Jesus Christ and the Kingdom that is to follow.
I Peter 1:3-5 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
We are to remember that salvation is awaiting those who have faith. Salvation is imperishable, will not decay or be forgotten, and will most certainly not fade away. After bringing to the believers’ minds that this hope awaits them, the letter continues with how to attain salvation.
I Peter 1:6-9 In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though 7
tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls. As with those of faith who were living at the time this letter was written, life is much the same for us today, and we are to rejoice greatly in salvation. It is “just a little while” we have to endure. If necessary, trials are an opportunity to demonstrate that no matter what the evil of this world throws at us, we are able to remain in faith. Our faith is rewarded with a joy that is “inexpressible and full of glory.”
I Peter 1:13 Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. We are to be prepared in our minds for action. Faith is such an action. Do I face each day with faith that God will: provide for my needs; comfort me when all seems lost; fill me with spiritual knowledge, wisdom, and discerning of spirits; and give me words to preach the gospel? (Continued on page 8)
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We are to be spiritually alert to our godly morals and values and be circumspect in our everyday interactions with others (I Peter 2:1). While being sober minded, we are to fix our hope completely on the grace that God gives to us through His son, Jesus Christ. When we are living for Christ as mature Christians, then our minds are sober, and we can have faith in God’s grace. The word “fix” used in verse 13 has several meanings that work well in this context. “Fix” can mean to mend or correct something such as thoughts that are not accurate concerning the (Continued from page 6)
May Yahweh Be With You continued...
"So they shall invoke My name on the sons of Israel, and I then will bless them." A similar salutation was being used at the time of Jesus and the first century church. Although there are no extant New Testament manuscripts which contain God’s name, this same pattern of blessing in a salutation can be seen when the angel came to Mary in Nazareth.
Luke 1:28 And coming in, he said to her, "Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you." you In each of the church epistles written by the Apostle Paul, God’s grace and peace are mentioned in the salutation. Not only is the
Scriptures and the hope; to agree, to direct or concentrate the eyes, attention, or mind; and to make or become stable, firm, or secure, or become so. The word “fix” is used by photographers when treating photographic films or plates with chemicals in order to make a permanent image. To fix our hope COMPLETELY on God’s grace that will be brought to us when Christ returns, gives us the image that we are to focus upon. God’s grace is what allows us to live for Him now and will be in action in full when Jesus Christ returns. If necessary, Peter writes, we will be tempted and tried by this world. Certainly the characters in Father mentioned in giving this blessing, but so too is His Son, Jesus.
Romans 1:7a Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Both God the Father and His Son, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, are mentioned in the greeting and closing salutations. Also, one very unique usage occurs in the end of 2 Thessalonians. In this closing statement, although the name of God cannot be found in any known text, the exact phraseology of invoking God’s name is given. It is the same pattern described in the Mishnah when saluting one’s fellow.
2 Thessalonians 3:16 Now may the Lord of peace Himself continually grant you peace in every circumstance. The Lord be with you all! Invoking God’s name, Yahweh, in a 8
Victor Hugo’s novel were in the midst of many trials, yet some withstood to triumph with goodness. Will we be perfect in withstanding such trials? Probably not, but we must continue to pursue godliness. As we concentrate our attention on God’s grace that will be brought to us at the coming of Jesus Christ, our faith will continue to keep us through the darkest night or the most tempting of worldly lusts. We know our frailties, but we have faith that God will bestow grace upon us when Christ returns. Without grace, we have no hope. With God’s grace, we have assurance of the hope.
greeting and in a blessing was common practice in ancient Judaism. This same practice can be seen in New Testament records as well. Additionally, according to the Mishnah, which provides religious and cultural practices of second temple Judaism, it was ordained that a man should greet his fellow after this manner. To invoke God’s name in a greeting or to bless someone in the name of Yahweh, the existing One, is an awesome privilege. It is much more than a reactive “God bless you” when someone sneezes or a catch phrase in an opening greeting or standard closing line at the end of a letter. It is seeking God’s blessing of grace and peace upon another individual. What an incredible, powerful impact this could have on someone, to be greeted and blessed in the name of the Father God, Yahweh, and in the name of His Son, our Lord Jesus, the Messiah!
By Thom Riley
Congo Connection
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had the privilege of traveling to the DRC (Democratic Republic of the Congo) and the RC (Republic of the Congo) this past summer to visit the ministries we partner with in these countries. Although I had ample time to prepare physically and mentally for the trip, there is simply no way to understand the culture and the people from afar. I hope the following conveys to you some small portion of the wonderful things that YHWH allowed me to experience.
ence firsthand the people and their culture. The fellowship I had with these Latham Congolese saints was amazing. I felt like a parched ground being flooded upon by the wisdom and experience of these wonderful believers. It very much enriched me and helped to prepare me for my journey. They shared with me some of their life experiences. They told many stories about their years in Africa, and although all were unique and unusual, I contem-
While preparing for the trip, I was afforded the opportunity to share a Congolese type meal and spend a wonderful evening with some local Congolese saints that lived in the DRC. Through various miraculous circumstances, they are now living here in the Latham/ Albany, NY area. During that fellowship time, I learned a lot about their culture from their firsthand experiences. As such, I formed some opinions based upon what they shared with me. I had decided soon after I was invited to go on the trip that I was going to avoid the temptation to learn as much as I could about the culture (I have a tendency to want to be very prepared) and the people via online resources. I decided that I didn’t want to form an understanding of the people of the DRC and RC from what others wrote and said about them. I wanted to experi-
plated on two common themes − they had to rely upon YHWH daily and the devil is very visible and real in their culture (not hidden like he is here in the US). This enabled me to understand an important aspect of their culture that helped me greatly while in the Congo. Since the devil is not hidden like he is here, the general population has a common knowledge of him and the evil he promotes. Unfortunately, many rely upon this evil power. This is especially true from a tribal perspective (we might re9
late this to an extended family that shares the same cultural views). However, the wonderful news is that those that know YHWH and His Son Jesus Christ are well equipped because they know by experience just how powerful evil is. Yet, most importantly they know how much more powerful our LORD and His Son Jesus Christ are. I could write pages upon pages about how much need there is throughout the country, especially when compared to the wealth that we enjoy here in the US. Rather than do that, I would like to bring your attention Acts chapter two verses forty four through forty seven.
Acts 2:44-47 44 And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common; 45 and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need. 46 Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved. I experienced these verses firsthand many, many times. Our brethren in the Congo truly understand this section of YHWH’s (Continued on page 11)
LOVE LIKE GOD By Vince Finnegan 1 John 4:7and8
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eloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love. The Apostle John writes under the direction of the spirit; therefore, he is a vehicle of communication for God our Father. Hence, the salutation of “beloved” is heart rending for it says to us that we are dearly loved, dear to our Father’s heart. The exhortation that follows is to love others as God loves us. “Born of God” and godly behavior are convincingly connected throughout the epistle of 1John as is evident in the preceding verses. Loving others and knowing God are also persuasively linked together. By the practice of love, we learn to know God more and more, and conversely, a stranger to love is a stranger to knowing God. The Difference Between Knowing and Not Knowing God is Loving One Another
The phrase “God is love” is not interchangeable with “love is God.” Our self-contrived impression of love is not how we understand God. When we develop a correct biblical understanding of God, we can begin to understand genuine love. Love does not define God; rather, God defines love. All in the world think they know what love is based primarily upon their own limited human experiences. Self-interest and human values provide the core of what most consider to be love. Many take their self-contrived understanding of love and judge God for not loving as they think he should. God is love so logically He is the standard for love. Without God, the lordship of Christ, and the direction of the holy spirit, knowing or practicing true love is impossible. Human love is centered in the flesh, based upon self-interest only, and as such in many ways is the antithesis of God’s love.
1 John 4:9 and 10 By this the love of God was manifested in us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world so
that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Man’s redemption and salvation rest entirely upon the benevolent, gracious, and merciful act of our loving God. He loved us because He decided to do so and not because we were deserving or attractively loveable. The description of humanity set forth in the Scriptures is shockingly grotesque and is simply summarized in the concept that we were depraved, dead in trespasses and sins, the enemies of God. Yet, though we were in this sorry and ugly state, God sent His only begotten Son to die for us so that we might live with Him. Acknowledging this truth starts to give us understanding about the godly love our Father wants us to live by and manifest forth to our fellow man. We love others the way God loved us because He loved us first.
“Why is she giving me these gifts?” I responded, “Because it is your birthday.” “She doesn’t even know me, so why would she give me gifts?” I said, “Because she loves you!” “Why
would
she
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(Continued from page 9) Congo Connection Continued...
Word, and they live it daily. Space here doesn’t allow for the volumes I could write about the godly love and care that these families provide. One common example that comes to mind is that many families take in orphans even though they barely have the means to provide for their own children and grandchildren. The adoptees I met were of all ages, many were in their teens. It vividly reminds me of Acts 2:44-47. I had the privilege of praying with many of my Congolese family. They exude faith and confidence that YHWH will provide, and indeed He does. To this day, I cannot explain how they provide for each other in the ways that they do other than to quote what my won-
(Continued from page 10) Love Like God Continued...
love me if she doesn’t even know who I am?” “She loves you because God loves her and tells her to love others as He loved her.” My words were heard but not necessarily understood as this soul recently made inquiry about my wife’s actions. Our standard for love is based upon God and not what others do or don’t do or what they deserve or don’t deserve. We love others the way God loves us. 1John 4:11 and 12 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has seen God at any time; if we love one
derful sister Adele told me time and again when I asked her about this subject. She would respond with her wonderful smile and say: “YHWH provides. That’s the answer, YHWH provides.” I am so thankful for being afforded the opportunity to meet and come to know our brothers and sisters of the Congo. Although the travel was hard and many challenges tempted me, I was able to experience time and again YHWH’s grace and goodness in a way that I have never before. But then again, I have never been in situations like those before! At every turn, there were crazy challenges that I can’t explain adequately, but I can say with great confidence that YWHW provided a peace and comfort that allowed me to know how truly wonderful He is.
another, God abides in us, and His love is perfected in us. In the same breath of exhortation to love one another, we are reminded that we are God’s beloved and that He loves us. Until we enter the Kingdom in the age to come, we have limitations with our relationship with God. However, the great enhancer to grow as close to Him as possible is to love one another. How can we ever raise to such a level of love? The prayer in Ephesians gives us some insight as does the last verse we consider in the epistle of 1John. The spirit enables us to have Christ in our minds and love in our lives. 11
Newsweek, Time, nor even Google can truly tell you of the full sharing that our brothers and sisters of the Congo have. With thankfulness, YHWH provided to me an answer to one my prayers (and many others as well). He allowed me to experience the faith and heart of a people that I can now call my family. I was able to experience firsthand the love and generosity of an extended family that loves God with all of their heart, soul, mind, and strength, and for that I am grateful. Please continue to pray fervently for our family in the Congo, for YHWH to continue to provide in miraculous ways, and for our brethren to continue to stand firmly upon His promises and to demonstrate His love to all that they can.
Ephesians 3:16 and 17 …to be strengthened with power through His spirit in the inner man, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith and that you, being rooted and grounded in love… 1John 4:13 By this we know that we abide in Him and He in us, because He has given us of His spirit. The only way we can love others the way God loves us is with His help through the holy spirit. “God, help us to be like You and to love as You love, all to Your glory.”
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Surrender and Take Control Biblical Education Class January 15th to March 5th Tuesdays 7 to 9pm What could be more discouraging than exerting all our energy trying to control our lives to live godly only to experience repeatedly that our best efforts are not good enough? Surrender and take Control will provide correct biblical doctrine to eliminate this torturous but prevalent lifestyle. The class will also contain many practical, easy to understand and apply instructions to help us gain control of our lives.