This teaching of Christ was bought back to me in a recent conversation with a retired farmer who had
been a pioneer in his field. He was commenting on the changes he had noticed over the many years, not
only in the methods and technology, but in the attitudes of other farmers, neighbours etc. He noted that as
a young boy on the land with his father, they started with nothing but a will to make it, and all their
neighbours for miles around, were in the same boat. All were equal, had nothing in material things, and
because of this, each were prepared to lend to each other the things that they did have and to help each
other, and more importantly, to ask each other for help. Because of this, a close relationship developed
and they seemed to all be blessed and benefited by this attitude. These blessings were granted them
because they were obeying Christ’s commandments. Rev. 22:14. “Blessed are they that do his
commandments.” As these blessings multiplied, he said everyone became more independent and acquired
many farm products, even to the extent of keeping up with the Jone’s attitude. Slowly came the attitude
that “I don’t need any help”, and as a result no one fulfilled the first part of our text. No one asked
anymore and even worse, even though there were times when things could have been lent, for fear of
being turned away, people forgot how to ask. Because of this simple break down to Christ’s
commandments, attitudes changed and it was only in extreme hardships of drought, fire, flood, dear times,
and calamities, that neighbours were drawn together.
When we reflect on this, no matter what our station in life is, we probably can all relate to this. We can all
remember some time in our life when we really needed something, but because of pride, we would not ask
to borrow it from someone else. Or perhaps we had made up our mind before asking, that we would be
refused and we were not going to give anyone the satisfaction of refusing us. We also begin to think of our
possessions as ours, and not something we were allowed to obtain or more correctly on loan from God,
and anyway, what if the borrower does not return it? Of course, God will have the final say in such
matters as in Psalm 37:21-22. “The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again: but the righteous showeth
mercy, and giveth. For such as be blessed of him shall inherit the earth and they that be cursed of him
shall be cut off.” This independent attitude in our natural life, can also lead us to adopt the same attitude in
our Spiritual life. We begin to also break other commandments of our Lord. Matt. 7:7. “Ask and it shall be
given you; seek and ye shall find; knock and it shall be opened unto you.” We begin to forget to even ask
of the Lord His blessings. Matt. 11:28. “Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden and I will
give you rest.” We think we can go it alone.
In the world we live to-day, there is one possession or blessing that we have that we should consider in
light of our text, and be prepared to ask, to borrow from others, and be prepared to lend to others, and that
is TIME. As married couples, we must lend and be prepared to ask for time one to another; as parents, we
must be prepared to give this time to our children; as teenagers, we must share our time with our parents
and friends. We see many lonely people in the world, we must all be prepared to lend some of our time to
those, and if we feel alone, we must be prepared to ask for time. We can lend time to the sick, the
sorrowing, those that are distressed in any way. If we become more conscious in our lives and start with
time on loan, we will soon find other things follow and before long, we will be once again living by the
text, and once again experiencing that better feeling as the old farmer remembered in days gone, by, and
most importantly, we will find we are giving more time to our Lord and this will not go unblessed.
No 3, 2016, North Queensland
John 15:11
When we consider these words of our Lord to us, we see He used the word joy, in two contexts, His joy and our joy. His wish was that His joy would always be with us, and our joy would not be half, but at all times in a full measure. We therefore examine this word joy and find it has 3 distinct different meanings in the bible. 1. Natural Joy 2. Moral Joy 3. Spiritual Joy.
Natural Joy according to the dictionary means: “Joy is a delight of the mind arising from the consideration of a present or assured possession of a future good”. These natural joys are usually associated with a natural possession and build up in various degrees, and we openly display them in our lives in the show of gladness, exultation, contentment, satisfaction, triumph and cheerfulness.
Moral Joy. This is the joy which arises from the performance of any good actions. It shows itself within us, and sometimes spills openly in the form of peace, serenity of conscience or when it reaches its peak, if honorable, it is called glory.
Both of these joys are those which our Lord referred to as “your joy”. These joys can be good or bad depending on the circumstances. To keep this joy good, we must have within us Christ’s joy or the Spiritual Joy.
Spiritual Joy. As its name implies is a gift of the Holy Spirit or one of the Fruits of the Spirit. Gal. 5.22 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace etc. It has its place within our hearts and shows itself outward by our actions, according to the Bible in the following ways.
A) As a joy of faith Phil 1:25 “I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and JOY of faith.”
B) As a rejoicing of hope Heb. 3:6 “But Christ as a son over his own house, whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.”
C) Our Joy is God Himself. Psa. 43:4 “Then will I go unto the Altar of God, unto God my exceeding joy.”
D) In His promises. 1 Peter 1:8 “Whom having not seen, ye love, in whom, though now ye see him not yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable”.
E) Joy in the Gospel Psalm 89:15 “Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound they shall walk 0 Lord in the light of thy countenance.”
F) The joy that Christ will one day receive the Glory He is due Rev 11:15 “The kingdom of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of His Christ, and he shall reign for ever and ever.”
G) Joy of our future Rom. 15.13 “Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost”.
H) And the most important aspect, and that is, spiritual joy is permanent. John 16:22 “And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.”
For this measure we see that the gift of joy is freely available to all, and as we go through life, we should easily be able to see those that have achieved and retained this joy of the Lord, by the open display of their own joys. A person who is not content in their faith, not content with hope, not content with God in His promises in the Bible, self-centered as to a reward, is not ready to receive the joy, and will show by their lives, the lack of joy in their life.
Apostle Cliff Flor, North Queensland
No 3, 2015, Germany
Proverbs 10:28
Over thousands of years now the bible reports to us about waiting for change, hope of promises coming to pass. Believers, with their eyes on God, felt oftentimes certain tension in their hearts. An inward expectation is demanding but also very beneficial. God’s announcements, for the purpose of man’s future, have always produced diverse perceptions. Our busy lives, as well as community activities, are by all means capable of overlooking the essence of the great coming advent. The waiting for Christ’s return is the most important point of the still outstanding Godly promises. The visible, repeated intervention of God for world deliverance, the completion of God’s realm, the drawing to an end of all world powers. There are unmistakable signs of hope:
Patience and Trust.
Waiting can become quite tiring. Time passes without seemingly anything happening, like standing still. Impatience wells up. One really would like to turn the clock! Questions arise: is it worthwhile – this holding fast to the promises of His return? Is this “Return” at all still asked for?
God’s time dimension is not ours. But His Word is in force, that rather heaven and earth vanish away, than His promises remain unfulfilled. We love to be reminded of this: “When the time was fulfilled, He sent His Son once more”. So will it be said and experienced.
Hope and Promise.
To wait one needs strength. Hope and promise contain both. Often it may be hidden one must search for it sometimes. In the congregation of the hopeful is God’s Spirit and His Word. Hope is contagious. In the promise is He who gives it, and all promises of God and Yes in Him and Amen in Him. God Himself is the guarantor.
Longing.
Where my treasure is, there will my heart be also. When will I attain unto, that I can see God’s face?
Paul says that we, with the creation, groan within ourselves for the redemption by the coming of Christ.
Does this longing still burn in us? Is this the motive for our living? The goal of all spiritual development is the renewing of an everlasting union with God. FOR GOD’S LONGING – IS MAN.
The above mentioned verse in Proverbs is also a promise. It also will be fulfilled and experienced. It is truth and will be manifested in the future.
At the end of waiting, both will be fulfilled.
The receiving of joy or to be condemned.
Apostle Werner Weise (Since retired), Germany
No 4, 2023, United Kingdom
Philippians 4:4-9
The ultimate source of our trust, our peace and refuge is in God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Without this we are as nothing, but as flotsam and jetsam upon the tide of times. Jesus Christ has given focus and purpose to our lives.
How wonderfully the Apostle Paul expresses these sentiments in his epistle to the Philippians which serve as our text for today. First of all let us rejoice, “and again I say Rejoice.” Above all let us be happy that we are privileged to be numbered to the children of God and have an intimate relationship with the most High. We certainly have something to rejoice about, as David also joyously exclaimed “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.” Psalm 23:4.
We are exhorted to behave as is becoming of children of God by living moderate in our conduct. That means being fair, level-headed, keeping our temper, being tolerant and temperate in our habits. In verse 6, we are told ‘be careful for nothing’ that means do not worry about anything unduly, instead seek help by prayer and supplication with a thankful heart to God.
It would be vain to try to improve upon the words of the Apostle Paul in verse 7. “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” This peace, which the Apostle Paul promises is laid before us like a bridge over the troubled waters of life by Jesus our Saviour, He is the One who laid Himself down at Calvary, so that we might pass over Him.
In verse 8 the subject of our integrity, our moral fibre is raised. There is no substitute for being truthful, honest, just and pure. Seek out that which is lovely and beautiful, which is of good reputation in life. Meditate and refine our virtues, praise and exalt these things.
In verse 9, the Apostle Paul takes our conduct upon his shoulders as his personal responsibility. It means he had to practice what he preached. To set himself as an example for us all. “Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do; and the God of peace shall be with you.” In the same fearless manner as the Apostle Paul sets himself an example for us which, indeed he was, we too must strive to act as living examples for our contemporaries. This requires a fearless and courageous heart’s attitude. It is far easier to wrap our talent in a napkin and bury it in the garden. Of course, we all have our faults, but the Kingdom of Heaven is for overcomers, not for those filled with excuses. Let us excuse ourselves not, rather go forward in this wonderful work which our Saviour has entrusted to us. Not asking for the impossible. The Apostolics of old were not given bags of money, nor special help from anybody. They helped themselves and each other, calling upon the Lord to help them help themselves. The Lord heard their prayers and blessed them beyond their wildest dreams. He will do the same for us too.
Late Apostle Bill Erry, United Kingdom
No 4, 2022, Germany
John 6:37
As we begin a New Year, let us make this text our annual motto.
Thoughts on the annual motto:
The text of the annual motto is related to the word “I am the bread of life” that Jesus addressed His disciples, and further ”he that commeth to me shall never hunger, and he that believeth on me shall never thirst. But I said unto you, That ye also have seen me, and believed not.”
Jesus gives His disciples perspective, at the same time our Lord is well aware that sometimes it is not that far with faith. That was the case with His disciples at the time; it is no different with us today. But then as now, the promise of our annual motto applies!
No one is turned away by Jesus.
What a contrast to developments in the present, where people are turned away, where doors are closed, borders are closed, where you isolate yourself. Quite different with our Lord, who welcomes everyone and is there for everyone. What a comforting perspective for the coming calendar year.
But wait … it’s who comes to me! Coming (believing) means activity. We have to move, we may not be able to stay where we are. We have to go to Jesus to say it with the verse John 6:35, We have to “believe” that the Lord is the bread of life.
Luther wrote of Faith. Movement in faith can be learned, “trained”, can be practiced in just a few steps. Raise recognition, we are godless. God looks further than we can imagine. What God creates is there long before we will see it.
We, as disciples of Jesus today must look at the past, present and future. The inadequacy of God’s people in fulfilling their mission in the past can thus be compared with our situation today. In all cases, Jesus is the key who unlocks the door and clears the way to the goal. Without Him we cannot do anything – with Him nothing is impossible.
In terms of content, the mandate of proclaiming God’s righteousness certainly has many themes and characteristics. A summarizing focus could, however, be the focus <<called to freedom>> being. Here many people either do not recognize their lack of freedom or they think they have liberated themselves, Lothar Zenetti wrote a beautiful parable about this:
THE FREEDOM
“They said: We are not subject to anyone …” (John 8.33) We be Abraham’s seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free.
They were tired of being dependent on those in the ships, for example on the wind that blows where it wants. So they hauled in the sails, cut the masts, tore the cloths. They wanted to be free. They also threw the oars overboard, the helmsman with his advice, the compass and all the equipment they had to operate. They wanted to be free. Subject to no one, no course, no compassionate direction, no country belonging, no port as a destination. Free. They also threw memories and beliefs overboard. Now they were finally floating there, independent, and disoriented. But she still carried the water. That they didn’t consider that!? (Lothar Zenetti)
A far better plan is contained in our annual motto “And him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out”.
Apostle Ulrich Hykes, Germany
No 4, 2021, Great Britain
Acts 17:22
When Paul was in Athens, he found himself in the midst of a non-Christian and superstitious populace. He therefore decided to turn their superstitions to his own advantage making use of this characteristic as a means for giving testimony. “For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you.” Acts 17:23. In this case the Apostle Paul turned the superstitions of these people to a good purpose. You see, dear brethren, it is all a matter of faith. The Athenians believed in many Gods, but being superstitious they believed in many, many silly things. Happily, this led then to fear they might have missed some God out, so they even put up an altar to the Unknown God, just to make sure they got all the Gods in. Of course, this is ridiculous for we know there is only one God.
During my childhood I was brought up in London and I remember how superstitious the Cockneys were. If salt was spilt, some had to be thrown over the shoulder to avoid bad luck. Walking under a ladder, brought bad luck. If a black cat crossed your path – bad luck. Looking at the moon through glass was unlucky. Spiders were lucky. Treading accidently in dog droppings was very lucky etc. etc. I never believed it all, even as a child, but many people did and of course, they always found reasons to prove that this or that portent bad indeed brought them good or bad luck.
How often did Jesus say to the people after a miracle, “Thy faith hath healed thee.” Having faith in the words of Jesus is wonderful, it made it possible for Him to work miracles. When Jesus visited Nazareth, He was not able to work many miracles because people only remembered Him as Joseph the carpenter’s son. There was not much faith there. Indeed, they became very angry with Him and wanted to throw Him out. Luke 4:16-29. How did the sorcerers work their black magic? Because people believed them. How do witch-doctors work? They can only work if people believe them. It is very, very, important what we believe and in whom we believe. It can make or break us.
Do not believe in rubbish, my beloved! Superstition has no part in the doctrine of the United Apostolic Church. 1 Timothy 4:7 “But refuse profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness.” If we believe in those superstitions, we place ourselves under the power of such misguided beliefs.
Our faith is in the Son of God, God the Father, and the Holy Spirit and none other. Cast away superstitions! They are unwanted and dangerous junk in our lives and have no place nor part in the faithful child of God.
Late Apostle Bill Erry, Great Britain
No 4, 2020, Netherlands
Romans 12:19-21
In the above-mentioned text the Apostle Paul warns the children of God that they should not themselves take revenge in all kinds of ways but should leave this to God. The “mills” of God may grind slowly, but they grind exceedingly small! Vengeance is a characteristic that marks both the spirit of God and also the spirit of man; but in the way this vengeance is wrought we find a vast difference. When a man plans vengeance, in order to “pay back”, so to speak, a wrong he has suffered, he usually does it in a way that is even worse than the behaviour of the man on whom he wants to be avenged for this, that, and the other. Instead of having the matter settled and the differences balanced, the result is that the evil is rendered even worse. God, on the other hand, will settle the affair perfectly, and He says: “Vengeance is mine!” In other words, when men take revenge, the chaos is inevitably rendered greater. The Apostle Paul’s advice is addressed primarily to the children of God, to the “loved ones” of the Lord; for the worldly man, who tends to hate not only his neighbour but also God, is not capable of following the wise, divine counsel. But we, too, still find ourselves in this world full of hatred, revenge, and manslaughter, and we therefore run the risk of imitating the “world” and growing to resemble it.
Throughout all the centuries there have always been upright Christians and men who have trusted in God, who have suffered all the injuries inflicted on them and the wrongs done them, without planning revenge in the manner of man. Even Jesus had to suffer disappointments within the circle of His disciples. Peter, who was very near and dear to Him, denied Jesus and said: “I do not know the man!” In spite of this, Jesus never ceased to pray for him! He could have said. “That’s the end of our friendship; you deserted me in the most difficult moments; now I don’t want to know you anymore,”
When brethren and sisters whom we have loved deceive us, do us injury, or speak ill of us and disappoint us, then let us not scold, let us not repay in the same coin, and let us not be angry with them, but let us pray for them, that their eyes may be opened, that they may see that they have acted wrongly. It is not difficult to scold and be angry; but to be able to forgive and forget – that requires strength of mind. The enemies of Jesus had to recognize, in spite of everything, that in all His subjugation and seeming weakness, Jesus was in every way the strongest, and this aroused their utmost hatred and rage.
The Apostle James wrote to the twelve tribes living in dispersion: “For the wrath of man, worketh not the righteousness of God. Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save -your souls. But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves”. (James 1:20-22) The Word is the “Word of the Cross”: “Forgive them, Father, for they know not what they do.” This word is engrafted or planted in us; and this word shall become flesh in us, i.e., it must take shape, must be transformed into deeds. The practical Christianity that the Apostle James had in mind is not only concerned with what we must do to others, but specially with what we must do TO OURSELVES.
When the love of Christ, His grace, His mercy, His truth, become “flesh” in us, in other words, when Christ takes on a form within us, then we shall no longer be overcome by evil, but we shall overcame evil with good.
Late Apostle J.F.Kroner, Netherlands
No 4, 2019, France
John 1:9
The year draws to an end. Again, we are celebrating the birth of our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Many people yearned to experience this year, of which they had specific expectations. Will this Christmas-fest be really different than all the others before?
Alone the heading can give us courage and hope: Everything Granted – nothing will be amiss – the Joy will be complete! This would be a wonderful celebration; no-one would come short! There, I am reminded;
This can only happen, if I invite also Jesus to this festival! Of course, not the Christ child, the “poor Baby”, that lays in the manger, no, but the grown-up Jesus, who leads His people for 2000 years and wants to be at home with His own, and this the whole year through, not only on the evening of Christmas!
I would like to feel the joy within me, like Solomon at that time in Psalm 72, when he announced the Prince of Peace for the world. God had acknowledged this prayer, when He let His Son appear on this earth: “Give the king thy judgements, O God, and thy righteousness unto the king’s son. He shall judge thy people with righteousness, and the poor with judgement …. They shall fear thee as long as the sun and the moon endure, throughout all generations …. Yea, all the kings shall fall down before him: all nations shall serve him. For he shall deliver the needy when he crieth; the poor also, and him that hath no helper.
He shall spare the poor and needy, and shall save the souls of the needy… prayer also shall be made for him continually; and daily shall he be praised. His name shall endure for ever: his name shall be continued as long as the sun; and men shall be blessed in him; all nations shall call him blessed. Blessed be the Lord God, the God of Israel, who only doeth wondrous things. And blessed be his glorious name for ever: and let the whole earth be filled with his glory; Amen and Amen.”
Have we now realised that everything has been granted us?
Now if Jesus was our guest on the holy Christmas eve. Could we imagine, that He might put some questions to us? What are you celebrating? Who do you celebrate and How do you do it? What are we celebrating, O Lord?
We are celebrating the BIRTH of the FIRST NEW man since the fall of man, the Incarnation of God! And we celebrate the heavenly GIFTS, which YOU, with your birth brought to mankind. The most precious of them are: The Assurance, that we through you are saved for evermore: “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life”. (John 3:36)
The Lust, the Hunger for God’s Word, the bread from Heaven, which You have brought to Bethlehem – the house of bread. How many of your words have become FOOD for the lost humanity: “I am the Good Shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine: (John 10:14) and “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me; And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.” (John 10:27-28) The Love of the Father and the Son, which has been revealed to the repenting sinner: “And He said unto her: Thy sins are forgiven.” (Luke 7:48)
Who do we celebrate?
We celebrate YOU. OUR SAVIOUR! Through you are we reconciled with God; we may come close to Him, after we were so far away from Him. Because of our sin. We celebrate YOU, the PRESENT REDEEMER, THE SON OF THE LIVING GOD, through whom we will become joint heirs in Your Kingdom!
How will we celebrate?
We celebrate with true and willing hearts, to serve You, our Lord, like the first disciples did (John 1:35-51) and that with Humble Hearts: “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts” (Peter 3:15) In the Love for the brothers and sisters and in striving after joint brotherly and sisterly communion, we celebrate our LORD.