untitled
TIME FOR A YEAR IN Review
********************************************************
As God’s Churches stands on the edge of a new year. It’s a good time to reflect on the year that is ending,
and it is a good time to look forward into the year that is soon to begin, and it is also a good time for God’s called
to take inventory of their walk with the creator God!
Today, lets take a close look at where we are in
relationship with our creator Jesus, the Christ. Now is a good time to examine ourselves and see where we have
been and where we are, and where the Lord wants us to be. God’s word gives us the opportunity and the challenge
to do - just that.
From time to time we share God’s word with one another, for instance, here is the insight of what a
minister had said to his flock in a sermon: “I think the church in general is losing the dedication of the people!
They are not committed to the church , they are not committed to God’s Feasts, they are not committed to tithing
or to save second tithe, We are just losing a lot of the basic foundations of the church.”
We are reminded out of God’s teachings “For you art an holy people unto the Lord your God: the Lord
your God has chosen you to be a special treasure unto Himself, above all people that are upon the face of the
earth. The Lord did not set His love upon you, nor choose you, because you were more in number than any
people; for you were the least of all people: Therefore, you shalt keep the Commandments, and the Statutes,
and the Judgments, which I command you this day, to do them” (Deut 7: 6-7,11).
God’s teachings us that we are to live by every word of God and never puts a question mark to where He
has put a period! We are also reminded from His word, “Jesus, the Christ is the same yesterday, and today, and
for ever” ( Heb 13:8).
We read in John 17, of Christ intercessory prayer to His Father on our behalf, that we are still a part of
this world. “And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, [speaking of us ] and I come to you.
Holy Father, keep through Your own name those whom you have given Me, that they may be one, as We
are”(John 17:11). As each year rolls by for the world at large, we are all reminded of the fact we are
one year older, a year closer to the day of our death and a year closer to the day of Christ’s return. Our lives are
but a puff of smoke, like steam, one moment we see it and the next moment it has vanished, disappeared.
It’s for this reason James informs us “Therefore to him that knows to do good, and does it Not, to him it
is sin”(James 4:17). This valuable time we are given should not be wasted, but be put to good use.
Paul the Apostle told the Ephesian brethren “See then that you walk circumspectly, [ cautiously ] not as
fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil” (Eph 5:15-16). Our eternal life, depends on
how we live our lives now, “today”! For us, right choices have to be made if we want to be in God’s kingdom,
His employment. Armed with these reminders from God’s word, we need to prepare ourselves for the day of our
judgment.
We need to be pondering some stimulating questions in our mind, by examining what our actions has been
over the past year? Ask ourselves as all called have to, has my relationship with my eternal Creator improved
or has it stagnated? Have I drawn closer and nearer to my God over the past year? Then the year before?
Notice James 4: where we are encouraged in his letter to submit ourselves to God and draw near to Him.
“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will
draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double minded” (James 4:7-8).
We draw near to God four ways: 1). Through the study of His word; 2). fasting often; 3). meditation and
4). prayer. Who would be better than King David, the psalmist, to draw these examples from, a man after God’s
own heart. Even the Apostle Paul looked to the Psalms of David. “Speak to yourselves in psalms and hymns and
spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord”(Eph 5:19). Scan now as Paul did through
the Psalms, starting with Psalm 73:28. “But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the
Lord God, that I may declare all His works.” Next read Psalm 35:13, where David humbled his soul with fasting.
“But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth: I humbled my soul with fasting.” Psalm 5:1,
David is pleading for God to consider his meditation. “ Give ear to my words, O Lord, consider my meditation.”
Notice now Psalm 119:97, David express his love for God’s law. “O how love I Your law! It is my meditation
all the day.”
David knew God is the keeper of all who love Him. Notice one other Psalm of David. Psa 145:18-19,
“The Lord is near unto all them that call upon Him, to all that call upon Him in truth. He will fulfil the desire
of them that fear Him: He also will hear their cry, [their prayer ] and will save them.” Those are encouraging
words for all Churches of God!
In order for us to develop a loyalty to God, we should bare in mind as David did, that a close relationship
depends upon, good communication. Ask yourselves, How has your communication been with God over the past
year ? Have we been faithful in listening and obeying God’s word? Have we been daily studying God’s word.
Have we fasted often as God said we should? And have we been keeping God’s Sabbaths [appointed times]?
Christ said in Matt 4:4, “It is written, man shall not live by bread alone, but by Every word that proceeds out of
the mouth of God.” Again we need to ask ourselves, Have we been steadfast in meditating and talking to God
through prayer, so to live by every word of God ? If not, can we honestly say that we are taking our relationship
with God seriously? Any effective communication requires a two-way street, therefore fervent Bible study should
be joined with fervent prayer. God does not have a answering machine to screen our prayers. His phone line,
internet, e-mail - or tweeter is never so busy that He will not hear and answer us.
I Pray you have read “Are you answering God’s Phone calls?” on pages 4 to 8, in the last “Prove All
Things” magazine? God’s word is always up to date. With God knowing we are His called family, I ask, how
is our communication and relationship with our spiritual family, in God’s churches? Has our love for one another
increased over the past year or has it decreased?
Why is love of the brethren so important ? It’s important beause where there is love there is unity and
where there is unity there is the Lord’s blessings. The Apostle Paul in 1 Thess 4: 9-10, distinguished the believers
at Thessalonica, by acknowledging them in his letters for their love for the brethren. “But as touching brotherly
love you need not that I write unto you: for you yourselves are taught of God to love one another. And indeed
you do it toward all the brethren which are in all Macedonia: but we beseech you, brethren, that you increase more
and more.” In other words don’t stop communicating but work on doing it more often! Again, asking, – how are
we doing in this area of our lives? Are we any closer as brothers and sisters than we were a year ago? One well
known messenger of the Lord wrote, “Then they that feared the Lord spoke often one to another: and the Lord
hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before Him for them that feared the Lord, and
that thought upon His name. And they shall be Mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up My
jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spares his own son that serves him. Then shall you return, and discern
between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serves God and him that serves Him not” (Mal 3: 16-18).
Those attending the Churches of God that keep the Feast of Tabernacles, find being at God’s feast is a
ideal time for fellowshipping, especially knowing we are scattered and not able to see one another very often,
except at this period of time. The Apostle Peter tells us, “To use hospitality one to another without grudging”
(1 Pet 4: 9). Practicing hospitality is showing love for the brethren. Hospitality, breaking bread together, is a
tremendous privilege and blessing, and an opportunity to get to know one another.
God’s word informs us in Hebrew 13, “Let brotherly love continue. Be not forgetful to entertain strangers:
for thereby some have entertained angels unawares”(Heb 13:1-2). Luke inspired by Christ, had more to say on
this subject. He taught that we should entertain those who cannot repay us. “But when you make a feast, call the
poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind: and you shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense [repay] you: for you
shalt be recompensed [repaid] at the resurrection of the just”(Luke 14: 13-14). This simply means, those in need
are not to be forgotten!
God’s Feast of Tabernacle is an ideal place and time to do what Christ is asking us to do. We never know
if a visitor or guest is an angel, you never know if it might be one of the poor, or one of the maimed. You might
ask, how can I afford to entertain when traveling, and paying for a place to sleep at night, eat three meals a day
for 10 days and still have money to show hospitality during some of those days while sharing time with people
of like mind? Again how can I afford to do that?
God gives us the answer in Deut 14, where we are instructed to save a second tithe! “You shall truly
tithe all the increase of your seed, that the field brings forth year by year” (Deut 14: 22-26). Where have we
heard that commanding term “You shall” ===== before? Notice Exo 20: we read where God said in verse
1, “GOD SPOKE ALL THESE WORDS SAYING Vs 3, you shall have no other gods before Me. Vs 4, you
shall not make unto you any graven image, Vs 5, you shall not bow down yourself to them, Vs7, you shall not
take the name of the Lord your God in vain; Vs8, you shall remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy, Vs13, you
shall not kill, Vs14, you shall not commit adultery, Vs15, you shall not steal, Vs16, you shall not bear false
witness against thy neighbour, Vs17, you shall not covet your neighbors house.”
In Matt 5, Jesus Christ said, we are to be “the salt of the earth” and “a light to the world” He also said ,
starting in verse 19, “Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least [you shall] commandments, and shall
teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the
same shall be called great in the Kingdom of heaven.”
Remember what Deut 14: verse 22, started out with, “you shall” – you shall is a command. Back now
to Deut 14: 22, we read more–thou shall, “You shall truly tithe all the increase of your seed, that the field brings
forth year by year.” This verse in the Good News Bible says, “Set aside a tithe – a tenth of all that your field
produce each year continuing with Deut 14: verse 23 in the King James Bible, “And you shalt eat before the Lord
your God, in the place which He shall choose to place His name there, the tithe of your corn, of your wine, and
of your oil, and the first-lings of your herds and of your flocks; that you may learn to fear the Lord your God
always. And if the way be too long for you, so that you are not able to carry it; or if the place be too far from you,
which the Lord your God shall choose to set His name there, when the Lord your God has blessed you: then shalt
you turn it into money, and bind up the money in your hand, and shalt go unto the place which the Lord your God
shall choose: and you shalt bestow that money for whatsoever your soul lusts after, for oxen, or for sheep, or for
wine, or for strong drink, or for whatsoever your soul desires: and you shalt eat there before the Lord your God,
and you shalt rejoice, you, and your household.”
Now is a good time for all of us to do as commanded, set aside a 10 % savings -- as instructed, so we will
never miss attending any of God’s commanded Feast of Tabernacles with rejoicing!
Benjamin Franklin knowing what is written in the Bible once said, “He that cannot obey, cannot
command.”
We have all read in Matt 25, where Christ speaks of setting the righteous sheep on His right side and the
unrighteous goats on His left side. He is judging individuals for their obedience to His “you shall’s.” “For I was
an hungry, and you gave Me meat: I was thirsty, and you gave Me drink: I was a stranger, and you took Me in:
naked, and you clothed Me: I was sick, and you visited Me: I was in prison, and you came unto Me.” They then
asked when saw we you? Verse 40, “And the King [Christ] shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you,
inasmuch as you have done it unto one of the least of these My brethren, you have done it unto Me” (Matt
25:35-40). The best evidence that a person will become a son of God in His kingdom, is that he obeys the
words of God. In making the needs of others our responsibility we reflect the divine character of our Creator.
Another area of responsibility is toward those in the world not yet called. Like our relatives, neighbors
, and friends, and those we do business with that are yet to be called.
In Matt 5, we read how Christ used the parable of light to put the emphasis on the members of Christian
character. “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a
candle, and put it under a bushel, But on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your
light so shine before men, that they may see your Good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven” (Matt
5:14-16).
This present age is like a night of sin that has just about run its course and the armor of light is about to
take over. The Apostle Paul express it this way. “The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast
off the works of darkness, [fruits of the flesh] and let us put on the armour of light” (Rom 13:12). The armour
of God’s ways and character. The relationship between these verses is that Christ is the source of light; and
Christians are to be the reflection of His light. Just as the moon reflects the glory of the sun.
These scriptures and questions, being raised can be summarized or looked at – this way: "another year has
gone by since the spring and fall festivals. So, have I made good use of the vapor of time God has given me this
year, or have I wasted it away?
It is likely that all of us in some degree have not made as good of use this past year as we would have liked
to have. At this point, let's apply the words of Paul found in Phil 3: 13-14, “Brethren, I do not count myself to
have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those
things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” As
God’s called we should have Paul’s attitude of pressing forward.
Let consider the following recommendations for the vapor of time just ahead. Resolve to draw nearer to
God and His ways. How do we do that? 1). By having a daily reading program of God's living abiding word.
Paul’s word to Timothy, “Study [exert one’s self] to show yourself approved unto God, a workman that need not
to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Tim 2:15). We are not to learn the tricks of the trade, but,
learn the trade of our calling!
God’s word of truth “can be sharper than a two edged sword.” Paul tells us, “For the word of God is
quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and
spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart”(Heb 4:12).
The Apostle James says, “But be you doers of the word, and not hears only, deceiving your own selves.” (James
1:22). Paul also tells us in Romans15, not to neglect studying from the Old Testament, “For whatsoever things
were written beforetime [in history] were written for our learning, [our instructions] that we through patience
and comfort of the scriptures might have hope” (Rom 15:4). Paul was emphasizing the permanent nature of the
Old Testament, even while the books and letters of the New Testament at that time was in the process of
production.
Paul expressed these same thoughts to the Corinthians. “Moreover, brethren, I would not that you should
be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; and were all baptized
unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; and did all eat the same spiritual meat; and did all drink the same spiritual
drink: for they drank of that spiritual rock that followed them: and that rock was Christ” (1 Cor 10:1-4). Verse
11, “Now all these things happened unto them for examples: And they are written for our admonition, upon whom
the ends of the world are come.”
Our daily study of God’s word should also involve the New Testament as well. James the Apostle says,
“Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word,
which is able to save your souls” (James 1:21).
Our Bible study is not to neglect using both the Old and New Testament verses, as verse 21 clearly
informed us. We are to receive with meekness Christ’s New Testament teachings! The en-grafted word that
we read of is Jesus, the Christ. John 1:1-2, and verse 14 identifies that for us. “In the beginning was the Word,
and the Word was with God, And the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. And the Word
was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,
full of grace and truth” (John 1:1-2,14).
It is through the Word, Jesus, the Christ, made flesh we have a intercessor to God the Father’s throne,
according to 1 Tim 2:5, “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.”
Paul here clearly rules out the need of a human mediator knowing God puts the ball into our court to act upon
His Words!
It is through the sacrifice of Christ that we now have a door open to us to go boldly to pray and talk to our
Father in heaven. “Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the son of
God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of
our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto
the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need” (Heb 4: 14-16).
Paul in 1 Thess 5: inspires us to, “Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will
of God in Christ Jesus concerning you” (1 Thess 5: 17-18).
Daniel and king David both left us an example of praying three times daily. Lets look at Daniel 6: 10,
“......Daniel went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon
his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did daily.” God was to Daniel the
source of all his wisdom and success in life. In the Psalms we see David expresses persistence in praying.
“Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and He shall hear my voice” (Psa 55:17).
Finding truth is strengthened by regular and frequent times of prayer. Daniel and David’s example may
sound simplistic; but if implemented, they go a long way to producing the kind of lifestyle that is Christ like.
Time is a precious commodity, given to us by God, it is truly like a vapor as we heard at the start of the
article. James 4:14 revels that to us, “Whereas you know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life?
It is even a vapor, that appears for a little time, and then vanishes away.” Our short life span needs to be carefully
examined and redeemed.
Reading a verse we read earlier, where Paul was inspired to say, “See then that you walk circumspectly,
not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil” (Eph 5:15-16).
Our Father and Christ show us what is expected of us! “He has showed you, O man, what is good; and
what does the Lord require of you, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?” (Mic
6: 8).
When a person walks humbly with God they
order their lives in harmony
with God’s Devine will for
them! ☜
James Russell