Psalms 8:9 O Yahweh, our Lord, How majestic is Your name in all the earth! Volume 15, Issue 5
September/October 2011
Glad Tidings September/October 2011
Glad Tidings Something To Consider ...................... p. 3
is published six times per year by
by Vince Finnegan
Living Hope International Ministries
To God Be The Glory ........................... p. 4
458 Old Niskayuna Road,
by Vince Finnegan
Latham, New York 12110 USA
Peace Constantly Abiding .................. p. 5
Office
518.785.8888
by Mary Ann Yaconis
Fax
518.785.1990
The Seven Holy Feasts of Yahweh .... p.7
info@LHIM.org
by Iris Jumper
Website www.LHIM.org
Congo Connection .............................. p.9 by Richard and Cheryl Elton Glorify God ...........................................p.10
mark these important dates on your calendar!!
Glad Tidings is mailed free to anyone who requests it. Scriptures are taken from the New American Standard Bible unless otherwise noted.
October 4th Fall Biblical Education Classes Begin October 22nd and 23rd Marriage Advance
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SOMETHING TO CONSIDER
Faithful One Dear Faithful One, Once again, God’s grace and kindness were abundantly demonstrated to us with the summer activities. Family Camp, Teen Camp, and the Royal Family Reunion were all diverse and yet very similar in that each experienced the wonder working power of God and maintained the theme of glorifying God. As we move into the fall and the beginning of a new year, our focus will continue to be on glorying God. In this issue of Glad Tidings, you will find articles on the subject. When Yahweh led Israel out of Egypt, He endeavored to lead them into the Promised Land. However, when it came time to go in, they flat-out refused. They ended up returning into the desert for 40 years where the entire generation with the exception of Joshua and Caleb all died. In the Promised Land, they would have found rest. In the book of Hebrews chapter three, we learn they did not enter into God’s rest because of their unbelief and lack of faithfulness to Yahweh their God. They are held up as an example of what not to do. Hebrews 4:1 and 2 Therefore, let us fear if, while a promise remains of entering His rest, any one of you may seem to have come short of it. For indeed we have had good news preached to us, just as they also; but the word they heard did not profit them, because it was not united by faith in those who heard. A land with the provisions and protection of Yahweh would have provided them with great rest. We too have a similar promise to enter into a land that will provide rest when the Kingdom of God comes. According to the fourth chapter of Hebrews, God has promised greater rest for us, an inner rest of the soul. We all continually have the struggle of our sinful nature within and the spiritual warfare without. When Christ returns, all the striving will end, and we will experience complete rest. Until that time, we do not want to give up like the Israelites did in the wilderness; rather, we want to stay faithful unto the end when Christ returns or we fall asleep. The prayer in Colossians 1 seeks God’s help in our lifelong endeavor. Colossians 1:11-13 Strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son,
God’s best to you,
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To God Be The Glory By Vince Finnegan
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o God be the glory” was the theme of our Royal Family Reunion and should continue to be the theme of our lives. The benefits for the church when functioning as one loving, harmonious unit are manifold, with the most important being that together we glorify God. Romans 15:5 and 6 Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus; so that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. We strive never to be offensive to people and are willing to yield our personal desires for the sake of unity. Again, the most
important matter is glorifying God and not getting our personal, self-centered way. “Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. Give no offense either to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God” (1Corinthians 10:31 and 32). The Gospel we preach now about Jesus Christ and the Kingdom to come remains our message until Jesus returns. After he returns and the Kingdom is established, the Gospel will change. The eternal Gospel has never changed and will never change. Revelation 14:6 and 7 I saw another angel flying in midheaven, having an eternal gospel to preach to those who live on the earth, and to every nation and tribe and tongue and people; and he said with a loud voice, "Fear God, and give Him glory….
During the Royal Family Reunion, we looked at a number of ways we can glorify God which will be outlined with the following. GLORIFY GOD BY SINGING PRAISE 4
TO HIM. “I will give thanks to the LORD [Yahweh] according to His righteousness, and will sing praise to the name of the LORD [Yahweh] Most High” (Psalms 7:17). Throughout the book of Psalms, we are given repeated exhortation to sing praise to God with many examples of how to do so. Unfortunately, most of the contemporary Christian music glorifies Jesus with the exclusion of Yahweh, our God and Father. Singing about Jesus is admirable but should not be a replacement for singing to glorify God the Father. Due to the confusion caused by Trinitarian doctrine, many people believe that when they sing to or about Jesus, they are singing to God. GLORIFY GOD BY CONTEMPLATION OF HIM The Bible is jam-packed with Scriptures that describe God. We have the privilege to search the Scriptures to learn about our God and to meditate upon Him. Contemplation of God inspires heartfelt utterances of praise. When we look upon Him, we are awed and full with gratitude. Take time to sit and think about the verses that are included in this issue of Glad Tidings. GLORIFY GOD BY ACKNOWLEDGING HIS CREATION When we have eyes to see, the (Continued on page 6)
Peace - Constantly Abiding By Mary Ann Yaconis
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ohn 14:26 and 27 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you. Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.
There is no question that God’s will for us is to be at peace in our hearts continually. Jesus instructed the disciples that Yahweh would send the holy spirit and that Jesus would give us the same peace that he had so that our hearts would not be troubled or fearful. What often causes confusion in a Christian’s life is the difficult struggle of maintaining peace. Christians may have a moment or even a day of peace, but the general reality is that due to worldly chaos, anxiety and fear rather than godly peace are manifested in our hearts .
The word “peace” is used to describe two types of calm. One description is freedom from war, and the second one is a state of mental calm and serenity or the absence of anxiety. World peace will be available when the Kingdom of God reigns upon the earth after Christ’s return. For us now through the holy
spirit, we have the ability to remain in perfect and constant peace, not because the world is peaceful, but because peace rules in hearts when Christians confidently trust in Yahweh alone.
Both the Old and New Testaments speak of God’s peace that is to be resident in our hearts. Two examples of such verses are:
Isaiah 26:3 You will guard him and keep him in perfect and constant peace whose mind [both its inclination and its character] is stayed on You, because he commits himself to You, leans on You, and hopes confidently in You. (AMP)
Colossians 3:15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful.
The principle is the same whether the problem at hand is “major” or “minor.” Recently, I was filling out forms and needed to make a copy of a legal document that I file in a certain place. When I went to retrieve it, I could not find it. Time was short, and I began to go on a mad hunt for the document. I began to feel my chest pound and my blood pressure rise along with the tears 5
that flow when I am greatly frustrated. What was different this time was before this swirl of behavior took hold, I had a conscious thought of God’s peace. I grabbed at the thought that Yahweh knows my need, and He alone is my peace. I also knew the paper would either be found eventually or I could request a replacement. But, while I knew these facts, my emotions were swirling up into wanting to start yelling and throwing things out of frustration. I kept saying to myself, “You know the end result. You will find it or replace it because you prayed, and God hears your prayer. So why go through this sick, sinful pattern of behavior between the prayer request for help and the godly result which I am certain will happen?” I probably said this to myself a half dozen times, and it finally took hold. I pushed away the anxiety, anger, and fear and was able to replace these negative emotions with calmness and the peace of God. I continued for a half an hour to look for the paper, and as I knew would be the case, I found it − right next to where it was supposed to be.
It is so much simpler, less hassle, more pleasant and godly to stay continually at peace through the storm. Physically, our brains shut down into a fight or flight mode when over stimulated. When we are at peace, our brains have blood being supplied (Continued on page 6)
(Continued from page 5)
Peace - Constantly Abiding Continued... to the creative frontal lobe areas that allow us to think in a godly manner. It was again so apparent to me in this situation how much time I waste on ungodly thoughts and actions between my heartfelt prayer and Yahweh’s result of the problem. This same principle holds true for those more serious and important problems. We are apt to have serious issues of ill health, financial difficulties, relational problems, parenting, and careers. When we pray and have faith, we know that Yahweh will answer our prayer in His time and in His way. Staying at peace through(Continued from page 4)
To God Be The Glory Continued... creation speaks loudly. God is so evident in His creation that according to Romans 1:20, no one has an excuse for not giving God thanks. When we take the time to acknowledge and enjoy nature, again we are inspired to glorify Him. Go for a walk! GLORIFY GOD BY ACKNOWLEDGING THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF JESUS CHRIST The four gospels are teaming with information about our Lord Jesus. When we consider his life and his sacrifice on the cross, glorification bubbles over. Although contemplation of the suffering of Christ can be difficult, it is also needful in order to accept what he accomplished and to respond appropriately.
out the short or long wait, because we lean on Him and wait confidently on Him, is living in godly peace. Psalms 34:14 Depart from evil and do good; Seek peace and pursue it. To maintain godly peace, we have to seek and pursue it consciously and continuously. This peace doesn’t just happen “out of the blue.” It takes concentrated effort to discipline the mind to track as we intend for it to track. This is especially true when our emotions of fear, anxiety, stress, and frustration overwhelm us like a flash flood. Stopping these emotions and grabbing hold of our thinking will enable us to lean and
GLORIFING GOD BY THE WAY WE LIVE Many times, people will read you before they read the Bible. Our lifestyle communicates forcibly much more than the words we use as Jesus stated in the Sermon on the Mount. Matthew 5:14-16 "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. GLORIFY GOD BY SPEAKING WELL OF HIM TO OTHERS If with every breath and action we glorified God, it would still fall very short 6
press into God for peace, no matter what is occurring. This time, losing the legal paper did not result in my office being destroyed, words uttered that I would be ashamed of, and my adrenals being way overstimulated. Instead, heeding God’s Word, I was able to maintain His peace, find the paper, and move on praising Yahweh for His goodness throughout the ordeal. Through it all, we learn to trust continuously in Him with confidence resulting in peace during every circumstance. 2 Thessalonians 3:16 Now may the Lord of peace Himself continually grant you peace in every circumstance. The Lord be with you all!
of what is due our magnificent God and Father. He deserves the praise of every human all of the time, but more commonly He is ignored, and His name is used as a curse word. Whenever we glorify God and help others to do the same, He is magnified and blessed. With the mindset of glorifying God, many opportunities will arise to tell others about Him which will encourage them to join you in praising God. Speak well of God to others, so they may respond properly. Psalms 96:2-4 Sing to the LORD, bless His name; Proclaim good tidings of His salvation from day to day. Tell of His glory among the nations, His wonderful deeds among all the peoples. For great is the LORD and greatly to be praised….
THE SEVEN HOLY FEASTS OF YAHWEH By Iris Jumper
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he seven feasts listed in Leviticus chapter 23 were part of the Law given to Moses by God to the children of Israel in the Sinai desert after He freed them from their Egyptian bondage. (“And the LORD spoke unto Moses saying, Speak unto the children of Israel and say unto them concerning the feasts of the LORD which you shall proclaim to be holy convocations even these are my feasts” - Leviticus 23:1-2). “Feasts” (moadim) meant appointed times and places. A “holy convocation” (miqra) meant a time of rehearsal. Israel was instructed to celebrate seven yearly festivals beginning in the spring of the year and continuing through the fall. The feasts were both historic and prophetic. They were to remind God’s people of the great and magnificent works He had done for them and to show a future picture of whom the Messiah would be and the part he would play in redeeming and restoring mankind and the earth back to God.
The spring feasts were: • Passover (Leviticus 23:4-5; 1 Corinthians 5:7) • Unleavened Bread (Leviticus 23:6-8; 1 Corinthians 5:7-8) • First Fruits (Leviticus 23:9-14; 1 Corinthians 15:20-23) • Pentecost (Leviticus 23:15-21; Acts 2:1-4) The first Passover occurred in Egypt after the Pharaoh’s final refusal to release God’s people. God told Moses that all the firstborn of Egypt would die, both man and beast, but Israel would be saved. On the 10th day of the month, each family was to select a male lamb of the first year and without blemish. It was to be kept to the 14th day when the whole congregation of Israel was to kill it and eat it at a set time of that day. The lamb’s blood was to be painted on the side posts and upper door posts of each family’s house. That night, as the plague of death covered Egypt, it passed over every house that was covered by the lamb’s blood. The next day, Israel was free to go, and they fled quickly with their dough for baking bread on their shoulders before 7
they had time to add the leaven. Passover, as well as all the spring festivals, was prophetic for the first coming of the Messiah. He entered into Jerusalem on the 10th day of the same month (Nissan) that the Passover lamb was being selected by the priests. He was crucified at the exact day and hour that the Passover lamb was slain. The next day during the Feast of Unleavened bread, he was buried, and his sinless body was received by God as a holy and complete sacrifice. Three days later at the Feast of First Fruits, a faithful and loving God raised His Son, our Lord and savior, from the dead. This event provided a promise of salvation, forgiveness of sins, and eternal life to all who believed in the sacrifice of Jesus and his resurrection. Fifty days after First fruits at the Feast of Pentecost (the anniversary of when the Law was first given to Moses), God poured out His Holy Spirit, and all those present heard the (Continued on page 8)
THE SEVEN HOLY FEASTS OF YAHWEH Continued... (Continued from page 7)
wonderful works of God spoken in their own language. Jesus Christ has fulfilled the spring feasts by his first coming and likewise will fulfill the fall feasts when he returns a second time. Autumn feasts were: • Feast of Trumpets (Leviticus 23:24-25; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17) • Feast of Atonement (Leviticus 23:27; Romans 5:10 and 11) • Feast of Tabernacles (Leviticus 23:41-43; Hebrews 9:11; Revelation 21:3) Trumpets were used frequently by the nation of Israel (Numbers 10:1-3). Trumpets called an assembly together, announced the beginning of a month, or mobilized an army. The trumpets used during these occasions were usually made of silver. On the Feast of Trumpets, God instructed Moses to use only a trumpet made from a ram’s horn (shofar). This was done to remind Israel that God had provided a ram's horn as a substitute so that Abraham did not have to sacrifice his son Isaac (Genesis 22:10-13). When the ram’s horn was blown, unlike the more musical silver trumpets, it made a loud pierc-
ing blast that symbolized an alarm. It is a ram’s horn (shofar) that will be blown on that great and glorious day when our Lord returns, and at that appointed time some day in the future, he will fulfill the Feast of Trumpets. Behold, I shew you a mystery; we shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet [shofar] shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 1 Corinthians 15:51-52 “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump [shofar] of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 All of the fall feasts took place within a fifteen day time span starting on the 1st day of the seventh month, (Tishri) (SeptOct). Ten days after Feast of 8
Trumpets was the Feast of Atonement. Jesus returning with his saints to judge and cleanse the earth will fulfill this feast (Zechariah 12:10; Revelation 1:7). After that time, the Scriptures say Jesus will establish his millennial Kingdom, and God's tabernacle will be on earth again and will once more dwell with His people for a thousand years. This would be the fulfillment of the last of the seven feasts − Tabernacles (Revelations 20-1-6; Rev. 21:3). We can give glory to God who carefully planned and orchestrated the timing and sequence of each of these seven feasts and chose to reveal to us His plan for Jesus Christ, our redemption and salvation, and our future together with Him and our Lord in eternity. Surely the LORD GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets. Amos 3:7
Congo Connection
By Richard and Cheryl Elton
Royal Family Reunion – Congo Style
Dedicating Children to the Lord
While many of us enjoyed the Royal Family Reunion at Living Hope Community Church in New York during the last weekend of August, our brothers and sisters in the Congo were also enjoying sweet fellowship at that time.
Recently, Rev. Kennedy held a dedication service for a number of the children in his church. This is the first time he has done this since his ordination. Enjoy the photos of some of the happy families whose children were dedicated to the service of Yahweh.
Their large annual gathering in Kinshasa brought saints together from many cities, including the country of Togo. Rev. Kennedy and his church hosted the weekend, with the theme “One True God: Yahweh – The Strength of a Nation.”
Translation Work Continues Rev. Kael has translated the book Change to Change into French. Plans are to distribute this book to the believers in the near future.
Rev. Armel and some believers from the Republic of Congo crossed the Congo River to be part of the event. He taught on Acts 10:34 and 35, that God loves people from all nations and backgrounds.
Meanwhile, here in New York, translation work of other teaching materials is underway to assist our partner churches in the Congo.
Kennedy praying over baby
Children are dedicated to Yahweh
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Children doing a skit during dedication service
Glorify God
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scribe to Yahweh, O sons of the mighty, ascribe to Yahweh glory and strength. Ascribe to Yahweh the glory due to His name; worship Yahweh in holy array. Psalms 29:1 and 2 Yahweh’s lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22 and 23 [O Yahweh] Who is like You, majestic in holiness, awesome in praises, working wonders? Exodus 15:11
Great is our Lord and abundant in strength; His understanding is infinite. Psalms 147:5 Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with Whom there is no variation or shifting shadow. James 1:17 ...Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty, Who was and Who is and Who is to come. Revelation 4:8
O Yahweh, Who is like You, majestic in holiness, awesome in praises, working wonders? -Exodus 15:11-
"Yours, O Yahweh, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, indeed everything that is in the heavens and the earth; Yours is the dominion, O Yahweh, and You exalt Yourself as head over all. Both riches and honor come from You, and You rule over all, and in Your hand is power and might; and it lies in Your hand to make great and to strengthen everyone. 1 Chronicles 29:11 and 12
The rock! His work is perfect, for all His ways are just; A God of faithfulness and without injustice, righteous and upright is He. Deuteronomy 32:4
“Worthy are You, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and because of Your will they existed, and were created.” Revelation 4:11 Great and marvelous are Your works, O Lord God, the Almighty; righteous and true are Your ways…. Revelation 15:3
“...Yahweh, Yahweh God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and truth; who keeps lovingkindness for thousands, who forgives iniquity, transgression and sin; yet He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished…. Exodus 34:6 and 7 For Yahweh your God is the God of gods and the Lord of lords, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God who does not show partiality nor take a bribe. Deut. 10:17 “Am I a God who is near," declares Yahweh, "and not a God far off?” "Can a man hide himself in hiding places so I do not see him?" declares Yahweh. "Do I not fill the heavens and the earth?" declares the LORD. Jeremiah 23:23 and 24 Do you not know? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, Yahweh, the Creator of the ends of the earth does not become weary or tired. His understanding is inscrutable. Isaiah 40:28 ...Yahweh longs to be gracious to you, and therefore He waits on high to have compassion on you. For Yahweh is a God of justice; how blessed are all those who long for Him. Isaiah 30:18 (Continued on page 11)
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Glorify God Continued... (Continued from page 10)
Yahweh abides forever; He has established His throne for judgment, And He will judge the world in righteousness; He will execute judgment for the peoples with equity. Psalms 9:7 and 8 There is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do. Hebrews 4:13
Yahweh is slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness, forgiving iniquity and transgression; but He will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the
fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generations. Numbers 14:18 Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen. 1 Timothy 1:17 Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen. Ephesians 3:20 and 21 To the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, be the
glory forever. Amen. Romans 16:27 Sing to Yahweh, bless His name; proclaim good tidings of His salvation from day to day. Tell of His glory among the nations, His wonderful deeds among all the peoples. For great is Yahweh and greatly to be praised; He is to be feared above all gods. Ascribe to Yahweh the glory of His name; bring an offering and come into His courts. Worship Yahweh in holy attire; tremble before Him, all the earth. Psalms 96:2-4, 8 and 9
Ever wonder what would happen if we treated our Bible like we treat our cell phone? What if we carried it around in our purses or pockets? What if we flipped through it several times a day? What if we turned back to go get it if we forgot it? What if we used it to receive messages from the text? What if we treated it like we couldn't live without it? What if we gave it to kids as gifts? What if we used it when we traveled? What if we used it in case of emergency? Unlike our cell phone, we don't have to worry about our Bible being disconnected because Jesus already paid the bill. 11
Nonprofit Org. US Postage Paid Latham, New York Permit No. 128
458 Old Niskayuna Road, Latham, NY 12110
Yahweh’s lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22 and 23