Add Knowledge

Last week we saw Peter addressing the church undergoing physical persecution from the Roman emperor Nero. He encouraged them saying 'In suffering is glory'; but now, Peter writes to the church again – his second letter. The persecution had ceased, the people were beginning to find comfort; but, they were in danger of a far more serious spiritual problem – heresy within the church.

People and leaders, puffed with false knowledge, began propagating and teaching things contrary to God’s standards. Peter directs his attention, in this letter, to address ‘knowledge’; for the word ‘know’ or ‘knowledge’ occurs sixteen times in this short second letter of Peter.

The church heresy began with something like this: ‘We can know Christ in our spirit, and our spirit becomes holy. But it does not matter how we live in the body, for our body is sinful and wicked anyway. So faith in our spirit is sufficient’

Peter dismisses this as heresy and false knowledge, calls the people of God to add seven virtues to their faith. Peter argues, that God is the same then, now and forever- the God who did not spare the angels who sinned, but cast them down to hell…; the God who did not spare the ancient world, but saved Noah…; the God who did not spare Sodom and Gomorrah, turning them into ashes, but delivered Lot… (2 Peter 2: 4-7). You can be sure, the same God is going to deal the same way down the ages.

Faith does not stand alone. It is always followed by works of obedience to Him and His word. Peter brings up this picture of God as the righteous Judge, judging the wicked and delivering the godly out of temptations. And in chapter-3 talks about the certainty of Christ’s second coming, encouraging the believers to hold steadfast the true knowledge found in the epistles.

We do not know when Christ would come, but are called to be in a state of alertness always. We must NOT be like unstable people, who say to themselves, this week is for flesh and the next week will be in spirit; this day to sin and tomorrow to repent. We do not even know whether we will be here tomorrow! Peter begins by telling that indeed they know all these things, but it is for him to write and remind them once again! He tells us the samething - although we know, we must be reminded of these things.

Against this background of Peter’s second letter, let us concentrate on a few verses from 1st chapter. 2 Peter 1:5-8: But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love; For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

These seven virtues do not come automatically once you have put your faith in Jesus Christ. Peter says, “…giving all diligence, add…”- make an effort, work towards adding these virtues. To add these virtues (excellent moral values), requires a willingness and co-operation with the Lord Himself. Therefore add to faith virtue (goodness). We are called to have a higher moral standard-that does not change, rather than conforming to the standards of this world, that changes. All apostles talked on the matter of moral standards. Paul in Ephesians 5: 3,4 says: But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. Paul to Corinthians: Flee immorality. Jesus taught us, that it was in the Old Covenant, it was “You shall not commit adultery”; but in the new, even our thinking must be free of adultery – this is the higher moral excellence called in each one of us. There is no dilution of God’s law over the ages, but rather perfection through Jesus the Christ.

Pursue knowledge that is true. The true knowledge is from the heart and not from the head. It is not attained in intellectual pursuits and reading books on Christianity, but rather in a relational understanding of God Himself and in the revelation of His written word. Even in those days of Peter, people got so caught up with philosophies, and increase in knowledge. Even now, many are interested in only directly hearing from God; they want God to speak to them. They delude themselves saying there is no time to read what He has already spoken – His word, the Holy Bible. But you know what the Bible says: I have written to him the great things of my law, but they were counted as a strange thing (Hos. 8:12). If you are serious in heart knowledge, you can start by reading from Genesis to revelation – to have an understanding of God’s view-point on all matters under the sun. Otherwise, when someone talks of moral excellence, it may sound as a strange thing to you!

Peter was an ordinary fisherman – uneducated and untrained in ministry. Yet, among Jesus’ disciples, Peter had the revelation of who Jesus is. The natural leader among fishermen became the spiritual leader, leading thousands to Christ on the Day of the Pentecost. The Bible is the Book that will confound the wise-if they tried intellectual reasoning, and it is the same book that will reveal to the simple the Way of Life- through revelation. ‘You shall guide me with Your counsel…’: If you are troubled in any area, look deeply into God’s word. Look deep – for precious metals from earth are excavated out of the deep. In a similar way, the treasure of His counsel must be digged out of his word. ‘It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, but the glory of kings is to search out a matter.’ (Prov 25:2)

We are not called to be spiritual babies all our life, but rather to grow into sons and daughters in Him. Peter ends his letter saying: grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. (2 pet. 3:15). Christian life is not a state to be achieved, but rather a path to grow; it is not stagnant, but progressive growth. The apostle John was about 95 years old, banished to the island of Patmos, but there too he grew in the revelation of the Lord Jesus Christ. We have the book of revelation today, parts of which are still difficult to understand. Remember, John too was a fisherman, and started his journey with Jesus as an uneducated, untrained disciple.

Add to knowledge, self-control. Apostle James speaks about self-control even in speech.

Add to self-control, perseverance. We all go through trials and difficulties. Peter’s first letter dwelt on this very subject of persevering through trials. And in the midst of trials, we have the wonderful privilege of knowing God’s presence. The Psalmist declares: Yea, though I walk through the valley of shadow of death, I will fear no evil. For You are with me. God has promised that no trial will be too hard to bear for us. God has promised: I will never leave you, nor forsake you.

To perseverance add Godliness. It is God’s desire that we grow into the likeness of Jesus Himself. If we partake in His sufferings, we partake of his nature too. Therefore, He allows us to go through unpleasant circumstances that we may imbibe and show Godly qualities.

To Godliness add brotherly kindness. We have seen this before. Christian life is not just Me, myself and God- but rather in relationship and growth with fellow believers, and in the congregation and in the church gathering. Honor all people. Love the brotherhood (1 Peter 2:17) is one of Peter’s theme in his first letter. As long as we have opportunity, forgive and serve one another, being tender-hearted.

To brotherly kindness, add love. We have seen what love is and what love is not. We can be people who show forth true Christian love. Walk in love. For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son… God gives us opportunity to be good to one another.

These virtues must abound in us; then we will be fruitful in the knowledge of our lord Jesus Christ. Do not be stagnant in your Christian life, but rather grow and increase in His grace and knowledge.

May God bless you as you begin to build these virtues into your Christian life. Amen.

Glory In Suffering

(Message by Pastor Philip Joseph)

1 Peter 5: 6-11: Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Apostle Peter writes to a church going through persecution – troubled times for the new believers. The first book of Peter contains two key words: ‘suffering’ – that occurs 16 times; and ‘glory’ – occurring 16 times again. Peter addresses the people in difficulties, with this key message: In suffering, is glory.

This is rather strange to human understanding, because we associate sufferings with pain, sorrow and tears. The people Peter addressed were under persecution, from the Roman Emperor Nero, for taking up the name of Jesus Christ. And this is Peter’s comforting letter to them that says: Whenever we suffer for His name or for His work or because of obedience to His word, there is an inevitable reward – eternal glory. Peter encourages them to see beyond the shadow of suffering to the cloud of glory; to see beyond the dark tunnel to the radiant light that is shining; to see beyond the temporal to something eternal. So we can rejoice in suffering, as we walk according to God’s will.

There is another underlying theme in these writings; and that is submission. Submit to God (v6), submit to elders (v5) and submit to one another (v5). In submission is our protection. Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time… Exaltation will come at the proper time – till then submit. Suffering is the same experienced by your brothers and sisters in this world (v9). There is a little time of suffering for everyone and after you have suffered a while, God is going to perfect, establish, strengthen and settle you. Weeping may endure for a night, but there is a shout of joy in the morning.

Do you know that the first sin in this universe is rebellion? We read in Isaiah 14 and in Ezekiel 28, how the son of the morning became the prince of darkness; how the angel Lucifer became the scheming Satan and was cast down when he rebelled against God Almighty. And as the Serpent in the garden of Eden, he sows the same seed of rebellion in the hearts of Eve and Adam; to disobey the command of God. As believers in Jesus Christ, we are called to walk as children of obedience (1 Peter 1:14). ‘For obedience is better than sacrifice and disobedience {rebellion} is as the sin of witchcraft’.

Peter goes on to tell us not to be surprised if fiery trials come our way, but rather to rejoice (1 Peter 4:12, 13). 'GOD IS IN CONTROL' – Fix your mind on this thought; no matter how hard it seems at times to acknowledge this. Sometimes we do ‘want’ something so bad, that we are willing to go after it; or we want something to happen just the way we imagined and it does not go that way – we pray for it and seek after God, but know that sometimes God says ‘No’. It is at these times we have to know that God is still in control and nothing is as bad as it seems. For we are privileged to have a God who has the benefit of time in His hands; and we just can’t fathom future on our own.

Hebrews 12:9 says that God deals with us as His children. As parents we do not give in to all the demands of our children – and we quickly point out that we know better what to give and how to give and when to give. Why can’t we realize God expects the same understanding from each one of us; that He knows and He knows better? As we grow in maturity, we learn to see that all together is working for our good, because we love Him; and then we too learn to ask according to His will, and with the right motives, through His the Spirit’s help. To God be the glory!

I know of students confronted with choices of educational streams, courses and colleges – and they have their mind set on a particular stream and college. And those completing education are looking for a particular career. It is at these moments, we can come before Him, especially and specifically to submit and humble ourselves. We simply do not know what is good for our future, for we can never fully understand. And before looking at other counselors, you can have a word with the best Counselor in the whole universe – God of heaven and earth.

Submit to worldly authority – for it is ordained by God’s mighty hand moving across the nations. 1 Peter 2:13, 14 says: Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake, whether to the king as supreme, or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good. And in verse 17: Honor all people, Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king. Remember, Peter is writing to people subject to the authority of Nero-their persecutor. We learn a hard lesson here: Honor our leaders and their commands. We therefore follow the laws of the land – the only exception being when it is contrary to God’s own laws.

1 Peter 2:18 counsels the employees to be subject to the employers; not only to those who are ‘good and gentle’ but also to the boss who is, to your eyes, the very incarnation of terror. The Bible asks us to submit to our bosses as long as we work in that place. Wives, likewise, be submissive to your own husbands, that even if some do not obey the word, they, without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives (1 Peter 3:1). One reason the wife may give is that she feels herself to be more ‘spiritual’ and therefore need not submit to her husband. But here the Bible clearly tells that this reasoning is not of God or His will.

In all these, one must recognize God’s mighty hand working behind the scenes. In our submission to worldly authority, leaders and elders, masters and husbands, we acknowledge God’s mighty hand and therefore indirectly we submit to Him.

The same is applicable to children. Children, be obedient and submit to your parents. We have the example of Jesus Himself in Luke 2:51, 52. Then He {Jesus} went down with them {His parents} and came to Nazereth, and was subject to them, but His mother kept all these things in her heart. Think about the perfect One- subject to imperfect parents; the sinless One subject to sinful parents. One day one of His disciples came to Jesus, asking for payment of taxes. Jesus showed him the way – fish, find a coin and pay your taxes and Mine. Jesus was subject to worldly authority when He was here.

And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men (Luke 2:52). Increase and exaltation is by submission and humility. If we submit, He will exalt us in proper time. God cares for you and for me. There is the devil out there, who is roaring like a lion to devour those who rebel. But if we submit to God, we can stand him; resist the devil. Be alert – be on your guard not to let rebellion rule in your heart. Look up and see God’s mighty hand and to submit to Him.

Some do say, ‘I submit only to God and not to any human authority’ – this is a fallacy. We are in the brotherhood because we submit to Him and we are sufferers, for a little while, because we submit to His mighty hand.

He will bless us; He will exalt us in due time. You see God is seeking to work in us to build us, to perfect us, to establish us, strengthen us and to settle us.

Are you willing to be children of obedience? God Bless you as you submit to Him, His word and His mighty hand. Amen.

Pray for I N D I A

Keep Walking

(Message by Pastor Philip Joseph. Take a walk in the light. Happy reading!)
 

1 John 1:7: But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.

Here is a lesson of love: Not only do we have fellowship with God, but we must endeavor to have fellowship with one another. This is walking in the light! The earlier verse says: If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. In other words, what the Bible says is that fellowship with God and fellowship with one another are related. Otherwise, we are just walking in darkness.

It is God who had called us out of darkness, into His marvelous light. And we did respond by coming to Him with a repentant heart. Our sins were forgiven and then the new birth, when we were born of Him. And we forged a new relationship with God our FATHER. The point is, when we became related to God and His light, we also became related to our brothers and sisters in Christ. Therefore, we must know the fellowship with one another. Even in the natural realm, we are related not just to our parents, but also to our siblings – our own brothers and sisters. And we do know the value of such a relationship. 

We are not called to be alone or aloof in the kingdom of God. That is why I encourage everyone going to any other place in the world, due to study or employment, to be part of a local fellowship of Christians. Because we are also part of the world wide church, related in the blood of Jesus Christ, with our Father in heaven. Seek to be part of the local expression of the body of Christ, wherever you are! We are no longer strangers; but all have become part of God’s great family – we are brothers and sisters.

The Psalm 92 talks about being ‘planted in the house of the Lord’; the author of Hebrews implores ‘Do not forsake the gathering together of saints’ – Don’t make it a habit of refraining from the church assembly. We must learn to cultivate good habits – therefore add to faith virtue! Psalm 92:13 says: Those who are planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God.

It takes effort to win an estranged brother. In the same way, there must be a willingness to fellowship one with another.

1 Peter 5 and verses 5 and 6 talks about being submissive to one another together with humbling ourselves before God. It says: Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.” Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time,… Ephesians 5:21 says the same: submitting to one another in the fear of God. Therefore we ought to be subject not only to our God, but also to one another in the fellowship.

The Bible also likens the church to a human body; each with members of the same body with Christ as head. Each member has at least one function to fulfill. The Bible calls us priests before God. For you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood…

Now let me share some principles on how to establish a relationship with our brothers and sisters in Christ.

(i)              Get to know the person

3 John 14 says: …Greet the friends by name. Get to know the names of people in your fellowship.

(ii)            Mingle with all

Do not form and have your own groups and networks in the church fellowship. Do not look for social standing and status while getting to know a person. Romans12:16 says: Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.

(iii)          Accept one another

Romans 15:7 says: Therefore receive {accept} one another, just as Christ also received {accepted} us, to the glory of God. Do you remember how we came before God the first time? Just as we were; with our weakness and failures – and He accepted us. ‘As is, where is’ – that’s how we came to Him. We must first have this attitude toward others.

(iv)          Be kind to one another / Forgive one another

You are not in a fellowship for competition and strife. Ephesians 4:32: And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you. There is no place for grudges and bitterness in a fellowship. FORGIVE freely – JUST AS God in Christ forgave you.

The Bible teaches us not to give place for any root of bitterness; and not allow the sun go down on our wrath (Eph. 4:26). Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. (v31). Do not allow any bitterness to grow because someone ignored you in the fellowship, or when someone did not smile or talk with you. Bear with one another and forgive.

(v)            Pray for one another

If you are wondering what your work in the fellowship is, you can start by praying for one another; pray and intercede. God will use you to be a blessing. Encourage one another, and comfort one another in prayer. Build one another and admonish one another in love.

(vi)          Love one another

Yes. Love one another and care for one another. When God met Cain to enquire about Abel, Cain responded “Am I my brother’s keeper?” Do you care what happens to your brother or sister in the fellowship? We are responsible. In fact Jesus said, this will be one of the distinguishing mark of the Christian fellowship – Love. “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35).

The Bible reasons, ‘How can we love God, whom we have not seen, if we do not love the brother whom we see?’ 

(vii)        Serve one another

Be hospitable and do good to one another. The Bible says that we have received a special gift; each one of us. And we ought to serve one another with that special gifting. 1 Peter 4:10 says: As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. Do not bury your talents as in the parable of the lazy servant. God will bless you when you use your gifts.

(viii)      Restore one another

If you have true love in your hearts, you will care enough to correct the person if he or she is wrong. Deal directly with that person; do not back-bite or slander or judge. But walk in love. Galatians 6:1: Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.

(ix)           Bear one another’s burdens

Galatians 6:2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. In this fast-paced life of the city, it will be easy to ignore other’s burdens. Like in the parable of the Good Samaritan, the priest and the Levite, who did not stop by the injured man, but passed by ignoring his plight, we could be people who do not bother; or like that Samaritan, we could invest our time and resources in caring and sharing in other’s burden – other’s pain. This is Christ’s body – we all are members. It is our church, our brothers and sisters. If we do not help one another, who will help?

Wherever you are, whatever church fellowship you attend, you can begin to walk in the light of fellowship with one another with your brothers and sisters in Christ. We could go on giving excuses, or we can start as early as now! We could talk the talk of love for ages, but it’s time we walk the talk. Walk in light! Our walk talks louder than our talk talks!

You could know the Bible verses from each book of the Bible, but have you put any of those in practice? Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies. Knowledge is good, but love in action is better. Therefore add to your knowledge…brotherly kindness and love (1 Peter 1:5-7).

If we walk in the light, as He is in the light, then we have fellowship one with another. Keep walking!

Amen.

Building The Temple

(Message by Pastor Philip Joseph. Happy reading!)

For who has despised the day of small things {beginnings}? (Zech 4:10)

Zechariah and Haggai were prophets in the post-exile era of the children of Israel. The people return from their exile to find the temple of God in ruins. Then these prophets – Zechariah and Haggai begin encouraging the people to rebuild the temple.

It is going to be a small beginning; a new movement even in New Life churches here. This day August 1, 2010 we are beginning the building of a new movement – it is called the New Life Movement International. When a new baby comes into this world, we see the small precious life and hold it in our hands; we see a helpless, weak and vulnerable creation, but we rejoice in knowing the tremendous potential in that small baby. Someday the baby will grow up and become a great and glorious person.

In the Bible, we have several examples of men who had small beginnings. Abraham, when he went out of Ur, was making a small beginning. Abraham went out, obeying the voice of God, with just a handful of men and a great promise from God. From this childless couple – Abraham and Sarah, came out a great and mighty nation. From Isaac, and then Jacob came out the children of promise, numbering as stars in heaven. A small seed becomes a big tree; a tender sapling bears fruit. Even personally I have experienced, as would many of you, what it is to start small. On this day 1^st August many years back, I joined a small unknown IT company; then in August 1987 I stepped into Bajaj electricals – IT Division – an insignificant officer in the lowest grade; and in August 2009, after climbing several grades in that company, God called me to leave the job and to devote my time in something far greater and eternally significant - involvement in God’s ministry.

In the Old Testament, there are symbols and types that help us understand the significance of our relationship with God; the temple of God is one such ‘symbol’. In the New Testament, we learn that our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who dwells inside of us. 1 Peter 2:5 says: you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. So we learn that we are involved in God’s great work.

The question arises: What can we do – here and now?

We can look back at the Old Testament; how did they build God’s temple then? As the children of Israel came out of Egypt, they carried the Ark of The Covenant – symbolizing the presence of God. This Ark of The Covenant became part of the temple many years later. It was in the time of king David that the preparation for building the temple begin; 2 Samuel 7:12: that the king said to Nathan the prophet, “See now, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of God dwells inside tent curtains.” Later on, after the first temple was destroyed, Zechariah and Haggai begin to rebuild the glorious temple yet again. Haggai 1:3-5: Then the word of the Lord came by Haggai the prophet, saying “Is it time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, and this temple to lie in ruins?” Now therefore, thus says the Lord of hosts: “Consider your ways!...”

What is your stand now? Do you want to know what to do? CONSIDER YOUR WAYS. You see, we can have our houses; but God is asking “What about My house?” Like David, we can put our priorities in order and have the passion for building God’s house. Nothing happens automatically; there is a responsibility expected from each one of you in the plans and purposes of God for building His house.

There is a price to pay! There is a sacrifice to be made!

1 Chr. 21:24: Then king David said to Ornan, “No, but I will surely buy it for the full price, for I will not take what is yours for the Lord, nor offer burnt offerings with that which costs me nothing.” So David gave Ornan six hundred shekels of gold by weight for the place.

1 Chr. 22:14-16 tells us how David made ample preparations for the temple of the Lord. He says that he took trouble – great pains to prepare the building materials.

“Indeed, I have taken much trouble to prepare for the house of the Lord one hundred thousand talents of gold and one million talents of silver, and bronze and iron beyond measure, for it is so abundant. I have prepared timber and stone also, and you may add to them. Moreover, there are workmen with you in abundance: woodsmen and stonecutters, and all types of skillful men for every kind of work. Of gold and silver and bronze and iron there is no limit. Arise and begin working, and the Lord be with you.”

The talents can be compared to our own gifts that we have received from the Holy Spirit. It is for the building of the temple of God – for the edification of the church. Each one’s gift is unique; and no one is without a gift. 1 Peter 4:10 says: As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. Our talents and gifts are for use and it does not belong to us; we are to be good stewards. We can also learn from the parable of Jesus about talents. Do not bury your talents!

Build on the true foundation

1 Cor. 3:11,12 says: For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is.

We cannot build on any man’s foundation; no other person except Jesus Christ. No organization, but Jesus Christ alone! Men will fail, organizations will fail and disappear; but Jesus never fails. Christ alone – the unshakable solid foundation on which the church can stand the test of time. It’s not the faith on fathers, parents or siblings; but Christ alone.

Build with the right materials

Once you fix your foundation, now build with the right materials; if you start with wood, hay or straw, the house is not going to last long – for it will be tested with fire. Our life-long work may be in vain, if we have not started with the right materials. You may save yourself but the work will be in vain (v15).

Build for His glory

It is not work for the Lord that is going to be rewarded, but work IN the Lord that will have its reward. Romans 11:36 says: For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen.

We have received all things from Him and to His glory we build. All belongs to Jesus. If we have this attitude, then we are building with the right materials and the Lord will be with us. Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it (Psalm 127:1). And Jesus says, without me you can do nothing. Zechariah encouraged the people saying: Not by might, nor by power; but by My Spirit says the Lord of hosts (Zech 4:6)

Now do you know what you can do? All that we can do will amount to nothing if Christ is not in it. Do all for His glory; we can never go wrong. The kingdom and the power and the glory belongs to Him – our God and our Father. God is shaping us in these times. Let us willingly submit ourselves. You see, the stones for the temple were cut right at the quarry; then when it reached the site, it would just fit in the proper place of that glorious temple building that was Solomon’s work.

Arise and begin working and the Lord be with you. Amen.