Sabbath 3/6/29/120
Dear Friends,
This is the Sixth month and the build up to the Feast of the Seventh month.
Most in the Church look forward to this period with a sense of excitement at
seeing old friends, and the children get excited at a holiday and seeing relatives
that they have not seen for some months.
Remember this Feast that we have many Children’s Bible Studies done and the Publications team has been working hard. Most Feast sites will be using the CBs to give the children a sense of excitement and a sound learning environment. It is a great opportunity for the parents to take part in the education of the children, and the grandparents and friends of the Church can watch the lessons.
It is not just the children who benefit from the Children’s Studies. A widow wrote to us this week telling us how comforting it was to read the CB paper What Happens When You Die? (CB29), as she had just lost her husband. She asked for more material to study on the matter. We often get letters from adults who benefit in that way.
Remember that even in the low point of the year’s access there are some 10,000 sermons downloaded each day on all topics in many languages. When the northern summer is over the study begins again in earnest. That means that by the Feast the access increases and study begins.
It is of significant interest that Indo-Malay now accounts for almost 40% of the English language rate of access, and over 10% of access overall. When you consider the fact that there are less Indo-Malay speakers in the world than people in the US, and most of them are Muslims, it is truly remarkable. We are having a marked effect on the thinking of the Indo-Malay people. Remember also that they have fewer computers, and many study papers are copied there for distribution. The Indo-Malaysian officers and translators have done a marvellous job.
So too have the French and Spanish translators, and each accounts for up to 8% of access. The European Feast site will have a number of baptisms this Feast, as will others. Remember, that it is the first love for these people, so give them every encouragement. It is an important stage in the growth of the Church as God places people among us to learn and grow in the Faith. Each person needs to be properly grounded and assisted by the long-standing members. Remember how each of us was called and how we reacted to the way in which we were received, and how important it was to be part of a cohesive church. If you are being baptised, remember to study well. The paper Repentance and Baptism (No. 52) will be of use to you. Each of us had to count the cost.
Remember also that each of you will have visitors from other nations present with you. Make them welcome and encourage them. Some may be new to CCG, but have many years in the Faith.
If you are going overseas remember that you are a visitor to that church area and you are an ambassador for your country. How you behave will impact on how people perceive your church and people.
We hope to have a number of new papers out to you and up on the web before the Feast. The audios will also be up on the web for study. We hope you can access the audios and papers at the sites.
Remember that in coming in to CCG each of us made a commitment to abide by
the Statement of Beliefs and the Constitution. These simple rules go towards
making the Church of one accord. There is with that undertaking an implicit
understanding that we should all treat one another in love and kindness and
in care and concern.
There is a sense of peace and development in the Church. I can now write and
am not under so much stress. The officers and members of the Church are settling
down to their tasks in the new Seven-year cycle. Some have been blessed financially
and others are consolidating their positions and various enterprises while they
care for the flock they have been given. Some of us are regaining health from
the stresses and problems we faced over the last twelve months.
We have a new church in Kenya asking to join us, and they are now undertaking translations there. We have sent them materials. We have also sent materials to the church in Burundi. They are working to Jacques Guerard as part of the French work. The Tanzanian people are trying to sort out their interactions and consolidate. Please pray that these people are able to contribute and settle down to the Faith.
Remember that in some parts of the world it is very difficult and life is hard for many. Many see us as a source of funds and nothing more than that. However, the Faith requires us to treat every person as genuine and in need of proper treatment until they prove otherwise. We have to extend the capacity to be able to study, and to be baptised, and to fellowship at the Feasts of the Lord.
The officers of CCG must not be in respect of persons (see the paper Respect of Persons (No. 221)). We have to go where people ask for assistance to be part of the Faith. We have a moral obligation to provide instruction in the Faith as we see fit. People are entitled to courtesy and respect until they prove themselves an enemy of the Faith. Even then, they are still entitled to courtesy from our own obligations under the Faith rather than through their intrinsic rights. However, we do not have to expose ourselves to being hurt by them.
Earlier I mentioned that the Children’s Bible Studies had been of benefit for people who had lost loved ones. God has set up a system that allows for the salvation of every sentient creature that He has ever made. Every human has the capacity to be resurrected and to be re-educated in the Faith. Every human being is dependent upon God for his or her resurrection. God will use those who make it in to the First Resurrection to educate the world in the Millennium and in the Second Resurrection. In the text just issued we deal with Predestination (No. 296).
If God has called us we will succeed and nothing can stop us. We are often puzzled when those who are called sometimes fall by the wayside. They are often consumed in attacking and hurting the brethren. It is a sad thing to watch. Often we are powerless to help them. We can pray for them and pray that God deals with them. For all of those who fail, they will sometimes be placed only a little distance from the Temple and reused when appropriate. Sometimes they are placed in the Second Resurrection. No matter what God does, it is for the best for their own spiritual welfare and for the health of the Churches of God.
It is important that we are not the cause of stumbling to these people. Nor can we let them be the cause of stumbling to others.
Remember, when we or everyone else is baptised our sins are put as far as the east is from the west. God brings them to mind no more and nor should we.
It is Satan that is the accuser of the brethren and where you see that Spirit
of accusation you know he is there like a roaring lion seeking which one of
us he may accuse and destroy. Let us make no railing accusations but in meekness
and humility submit to those in authority.
We are all sinners and we try to serve God in the best way that we can. Let
all men grow in the love of God and nurture everyone in the Church and seek
to help those who would ask it from us as best we can.
Love one another and show thereby that you love God also.
Wade Cox
Coordinator General
© Copyright 2006 Christian Churches of God, All Rights Reserved
