"Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." (1 Thessalonians 5:17-18)

Prayer and thanksgiving are not only isolated words of petition and gratefulness to the Lord, they are a lifestyle!

This verse has always been one to raise the defense mechanism in the heart of the believer . . . "How can I pray without ceasing? I have work to do and I have my family and other things to tend to!" But prayer is a lifestyle . . . being in constant communion with the Lord, aware of His presence, talking with Him, loving Him moment by moment in our innermost being! Much the same with thanksigiving . . . we are admonished to live a life of gratitude to the Lord for His mercy and His goodness. This is not to say there shouldn't be special times when we set out to pray and make our petitions known to God, but offering ourselves as a sacrifice holy and acceptable to Him certainly includes living a lifestyle of prayer and thanksgiving!

So, pray without ceasing, and in every thing, and at all times live a life of thanksgiving! He is so worthy!

Father in heaven, although I set my petitions before you when I pray, Lord help me remember to keep my mind stayed on you, to commune with you day by day, hour by hour, moment by moment! What a priceless privilege I have found in living a life of thanksgiving to You, for You are worthy of my total praise . . . You are worthy of all the glory . . . You are worthy! Amen.

Have a blessed Thankgiving day!

MY TRIP TO MALAWI

by Ian Ingoe

When the plane landed at Johannesburg I was a little nervous with all the stories I had heard of violence in that city but I should not have been concerned.. Reg (Mr. Richter) was there to meet me and offered me hospitality and his help for the week. He drove me wherever I needed to go. I was able to purchase a Volksie Bus (VW 10 seater) with a trailer. I also had to purchase paper, a fax, tyres, printer and many other items. this with a few problems was completed by Friday morning . On the Friday afternoon I drove to within 90 kms of the Zimbabwe border. I found a lodge and slept soundly thanking God for His help in the day’s events. On Sunday I awoke at 5.30 and started another busy day of driving and border posts. Mozambique with its visa charges, car insurance and T.i.p costs was costing about NZ$70 per hour to drive the short distance. I finally reached the Malawi border at about lunchtime. I arrived at Bible College at about 4pm to be greeted by Pr Barrar who was sporting a full beard and was looking like a taller version of his father.

The gardens were looking very good although some maize was a little stunted. The new house that he had built was looking good and nearing completion. The main house is a very solid house although it has a few things needing to be done to bring it to a finished product as we would see it in NZ.

The local Pastor came to see us the next day and we planned a schedule for the students , Pr Barrar, Pr Mangazi and myself to visit the northern churches. This we started on the Wednesday at 4.30 am we set off for Lilongwe. We arrived a little after 8am at Mr Salema’s house. That day we visited Mr Mungoni who took us to Capital Hill (Seat of Gov) to find out about the church registration. Here we discovered that it was very close , in that the document was to be typed and presented to the minister for signing. That evening there was a local meeting of Christians. Although few in number Lilongwe has always had smaller numbers than other areas. The next day we went to Chiwowo and another small branch on the outskirts of Lilongwe. We were received well at both places.

The next day we went north where on the Friday we had a meeting at Jandala but I was also used to deliver an attempted suicide case to the hospital and police. The Sabbath we were at Dunduzu for a very successful meeting.

After Dunduzu we went to Uzumara and Khanga in the hills where we were received well. On the Monday we visited Louwasi and set off for Blantyre arriving about 3am. The next day I went to Mwanza to pick up our impounded paper.

On the Wednesday I visited Mphanga and Mphangala where I was received with great enthusiasm. On The Thursday we visited another seven churches with large amounts of people at four of them. When we arrived we were welcomed with singing by the children and the women. Pr Barrar was continuing with Bible College teaching while I was visiting these churches.

On Sabbath we all set off to Makapwa. This was a time of joy (as) ...we had God’s people from the church in great numbers. We worshipped under the mango trees with I believe well over 350 people. So our joy came with seeing the people standing firm. I preached on Haggai and Acts 4:19-20 encouraging them to work and to preach the Gospel. That afternoon we baptized 42 people. PTL

My last preaching was at Ndhirandi in Blantyre. From Monday through to Thursday Pr Barrar and myself tried to do business in town. I believe that the visit had a positive effect on many Christians as I tried to assure them they were not alone, that the Australasian Conference were happy to support people who stood firm for God’s commandments.

I ask all who read this report to pray for these dedicated Christians in Malawi. May God bring His peace to the work there.

-based on a Missions Report in Salt Magazine.

God's Holy Day
Seven Studies on the Sabbath Truth
By Lester G. Osborn

And God blessed the seventh day and made it holy.  -Genesis 2:3

---

 

Lesson Five

 Law and Grace

  

The final argument of those who observe the first day instead of God's Sabbath is to claim that "the law is done away with, nailed to the Cross"; that we are not obliged to keep the Sabbath in this day of grace. If this is true, then one might ask why should we refrain from profanity, murder, adultery, and the rest?

In discussing the subject of "Law and Grace," we must keep in mind two important distinctions:

a. The Mosaic Code was threefold-Moral (Commandments, the Decalogue), Ceremonial (ordinances), and Civil (judgments). The moral law was a codification of universal and eternal principles. The other two were national and temporary, governing the religious and social life of Israel.

b. The "law," as a set of rules, must be distinguished from "law" as God's method of dealing with sinful mankind between Sinai and Calvary.

A. The Character and Purpose of the Moral Law.

1. Psalm 19:7-11; 111:7-8; Matthew 5:18; Luke 16:17; Romans 7:12.
God's law is perfect, complete, sure, right, pure, true, righteous, holy, just, and everlasting.

2. Romans 10:5; Matthew 19:17; Luke 10:28.
The law sets forth God's will for man's conduct it defines perfection. To keep the Commandments perfectly would merit eternal life, but no one can do this. "All have sinned and come short of the glory of God." A provision has to be made for our justification.

3.1 John 3:4; Romans 3:20,28,31; 7:7.
One looks at the perfect standard, realizes that he has broken it, and thus is a sinner, for sin is the transgression of the law. The law declares us guilty and shows us our need of a Savior.

4.1 Timothy 1:8.
The "lawful use" of the law is to convict us of sin, just as a mirror shows us our physical imperfections. It is a diagnosis, not a remedy. The remedy is the Gospel, but the diagnosis must come first.

5. James 2:10-11; 1 John 3:4; Romans 6:23a.
We might add to, or paraphrase, the first reference this way: "He who said, 'Do not murder,' also said, 'Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.' Now, if you do not commit murder, but do desecrate the Sabbath, you have become a transgressor of the law." This is sin, and the wages of sin is death. However, Jesus paid the penalty for us (cf. Galatians 3:10,13), so we are free from the curse of the law, which is death. But are we free to ignore the law and to break it?

6. Isaiah 2:2-3; 66:22-23.
During the millennium, and on the new earth, the fourth Commandment will be kept.

7. Galatians 3:23-26.
"Law" and "Grace" are not opposing systems but component parts of the same plan: the redemption of sinful mankind. Salvation has always been "by grace through faith." In the Old Testament, men were saved that way. God's grace was active in the sacrificial system of the ceremonial law, so that their transgressions of His moral law might be "covered." But grace was not fu1ly revealed until the death of Christ. The moral law is our schoolmaster; it leads us to Christ by showing us our sin and our need for a Savior. The ceremonial law, with its sacrifices, teaches us about Christ and His atoning work, and thus "leads us to Christ."

B. Was the Moral Law Repealed?

1. Matthew 11:13; Luke 16:16; John 1:17.
The "dispensation" of law ended with Jesus and was replaced by the "dispensation" of grace. But let us not think that there was no grace before Calvary. As soon as man sinned, God's grace came into action. The Lord provided a way to forgive sins and remove guilt as soon as the need arose.

2. Matthew 5:17-18.
Jesus Christ did not abolish the law, but fulfilled it. He fulfilled the moral law by perfectly obeying its spiritual meaning, and He fulfilled the ceremonial law by taking the place of all the sacrifices.

3. Matthew 4:14; Romans 13:10; Galatians 5:14; 6:2.
"Fulfill" does not mean "do away with."

4. Galatians 3:23-25; 4:1-2.

A schoolmaster or tutor ensures that a father's will is carried out until his son comes of age. Then the boy is directly responsible to his father, and does his will. He now obeys, not because he fears the schoolmaster, but because he loves his father.

Under the law, obedience was demanded. But under grace, it is "written in" (see Hebrews 10:16). We keep the principles of the law because we love God, who is our heavenly Father by the new birth. The old system is done away with, but the moral requirements of the law remain.

5. Romans 10:4-5.
We do not obtain righteousness by observing the law. We obtain it by faith in Christ, whose righteousness is ascribed to us. This does not mean that the principles of the Decalogue are now invalid. It simply means that we are not enabled to be made "made right" by observing them. Because of God's indwelling Spirit, we do those things which His law requires. Christ is not "the end of the law," nor "the end of righteousness," but the end of striving to earn righteousness by observing the law. (Cf. Luke 22:37 where we read that Christ is the "end of the prophecies"-i.e., He is the purpose and object of them.)

6. Colossians 2:14-17.
The "handwriting of ordinances," including the ceremonial sabbaths, was nailed to the Cross. The weekly Sabbath was not an "ordinance" nor "against us" (cf. Mark 2:27). It was the system which was abolished-the method God used to deal with sinful men between Sinai and Calvary.

7. Ephesians 2:14-16.
The "dividing wall" consisted of the "ordinances" -the Jewish ceremonial system which did not include the weekly Sabbath. The ordinances were part of the definition of sin.

Conclusion

The "Law" was indeed done away with in Christ. But it was the system, the method, the "dispensation" which was abolished, not the standard of conduct contained in the moral law. These principles were not changed nor abolished. Through faith, we have a new relationship to them.

It is foolish to say that "the moral law was done away with." In that case, there would be no sin (cf. Romans 6:1-2,14-15). This would result in anarchy, since sin is lawlessness (1 John 3:4).

reprinted from- www.7thdaybaptistchurch.org

My Vision for God's Ranch Of Love and Healing
by Joyce Lest

God has given me a vision for His Glory, It is a Ranch for all the hurting and broken of the world , clergy and lay people, brethren, and people who Gods sends and  need to know or be restored, and learn all about Gods Love.

This Ranch, will have stream running in front of it, for baptizing and healing and sheer enjoyment, and relaxation...There will be fruit trees on the property, and shade trees too. There will be birds and some livestock there too. It will be a place of refuge, to be restored and healed and NO ONE will ever leave the ranch without feeling Loved!! I will do ( with Gods help) do all I can to love people into the Kingdom and teach the ones God sends about HIS LOVE. Whoever comes shall grow In Jesus Love.

On the ranch shall be many places(cabins) to rest, and there will be a chapel for worship and a tent for revival, and Saturday shall be the Sabbath, and we all shall worship and love Jesus, and learn more of HIM on that day...Each day everyone will learn of something *new* about themselves and Jesus as they grow as One together.

There will be those who work on the Ranch who will help run it and maintain it, It will be a Haven For Gods love, and we shall always be protected from the evil one, because of this...Many will come and bask and bathe in the healing and Love that is birthed within them while their stay here.

We charge No money at all, yet Love offerings are accepted..It is a non profit organization. In the Main House of the ranch, is where the heart of the Home will be. I will cook(with help) Home cooked meals, and there will be a Butcher Block Table in the Middle of the Kitchen and a Walk in Pantry for food. I will have all the state of the art equipment needed to prepare all the food with LOVE.

The Livingroom will have a fireplace in it, and a large area for BIBLE Study with lots of couches and seats. It will have wood floors, and A Piano for music for worship.

There will be a room off to one side of the house for prayer and to be one with Jesus, and a place to be able to prostrate ones self before the Lord if you feel led to.
There will be a selection of music for your enjoyment to listen to or to sing to Jesus with. There will be an alter to Jesus there as well.

There will be 5 or 6 Bedrooms and the Master bedroom, shall have a fireplace in it, and wood floors and a large bathroom.

The Bedroom shall have a dressing table and walk in closets too. The other bedrooms along with the Master Bedroom shall have windows with the scenery of flowers and a garden and nature out each window, Gods beautiful Array of His handiwork.

There shall be a Diningroom big enough to accommodate many people for conversation, and sharing meals together, including the helpers who prepare the meals and serve them, they also shall sit down with all of us and break bread together...We shall all share in helping and loving eachother.

There will be a study for those who wish to read the Bible and learn more of what God teaches or a place to prepare sermons etc. Many will come here , and LOVE will abound. It will happen its Gods will. He has shown me this.

Love needs to be brought back into the World and Jesus has appointed me the task of being His Love Child , Loving all those who He sends to be loved into HIS perfection, AGAPE Love, Unconditional Love, Love that knows God is LOVE and all that dwells in God Dwells in Love.

There will be  many  cabins  that will accommodate many who are in need of a place to be restored and renewed, all who come shall feel the Love of God, and learn ow he wants us to Love others and eachother.

There shall be self contained generators and water supplies in case of drought or no power. Storehouses to hold much to help feed many. There will be a peace that passes all understanding. I humbly and willingly go forward with this vision awaiting the provision as He has promised. Now, I ask for your prayers, there is much Power in Prayer.

The Name of the Ranch Might be: Gods Ranch Of Love and Healing. Thank you for your prayers on this I do believe the time is soon it shall take place. Much love to you In Jesus, Love Joyce †

reprinted from Love Ministry

I was eight years old when I accepted Christ as my savior. Although I had attended church throughout my childhood and knew about Jesus, I had never made a personal decision to believe in him for my salvation. However, during a special service, an evangelist explained that no one is good enough to go to heaven. The Bible says that "there is none that is righteous, no not one" (Romans 3:10). And it also states that "All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). The evangelist explained that the Bible clearly teaches that "the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ, His son" (Romans 6:23). So it was on that morning that I realized that I had sinned, and that I was not good enough to go to Heaven. He did not leave me in such a desperate state, however. He went on to explain that God had made a way for us to overcome our sinful state. That was the purpose for sending Jesus to live and die on this earth, to take the punishment for our sin, so that we might have eternal life. Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes unto the Father but by me" (John 14:6). The only way to get to heaven is through Jesus Christ. One of the most familiar and most quoted verses in the Bible is John 3:16, "For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." That morning I decided to place my faith in Jesus, confess my sin, ask him for forgiveness, and ask him to come into my life and make me a new person. I have given my life to him and seek to serve him in whatever I do. I am still not perfect, and I still make mistakes. However, I am trusting in his word that his promise of salvation is based on His righteousness, not mine. As it says in Eph 2:8-9, "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves. It is the gift of God, not of works, lest any man should boast."

Born - 12/08/53
Birthplace: Russellville, Alabama
Family: Married to the former Debbie Pearson; 1977
Children: Rachel (1985); Joel (1992); Rebekah (1995)

reprinted from Meet Mr. Hargett

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