Hebron Messenger

A NEW YEAR MESSAGE (PSALM 122)

This is a festive season - Christmas for Christians and New Year for the whole world, irrespective of religious backgrounds. This is a time of beautiful decorations in public places, schools, places of worship and particularly in Christian homes. It is an expression of gladness and joy that we have entered into a New Year. And why should not we as believers decorate God's Dwelling place? David in his love for God and His Sanctuary gave a command for the building of His tabernacle saying, "...and the house that is to be builded for the LORD must be exceeding magnifical, of fame and of glory throughout all countries" (1 Chro. 22:5). Every true child of God should determine and endeavour to beautify, not his or her house but the House of the Lord during the New Year. The disciples pointed to the temple in Jerusalem and said, "Master, see what manner of stones and what buildings are here!" (Mark 13: 1). But we who are the living stones of God's Spiritual House should show forth a greater and lasting beauty. There are five beautiful and attractive spiritual characteristics of God's Dwelling place mentioned in Psalm 122, which make us glad to go to God's House, and with which we can decorate His House.

Firstly, it is a place of Praise "Whither the tribes go up, ...unto the testimony of Israel, to give thanks..." (v.4}. Yes, that is the kind of habitation God desires -an habitation of praise. "0 thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel" (Psa. 22:3}. Moses said, "He is thy praise, and he is thy God, that hath done for thee these great and terrible things, which thine eyes have seen" (Deut. 10:21). Israel's first reason of praise was their miraculous and marvellous SALVATION from the bondage and sorrow of Egypt through the BLOOD OF THE SLAIN LAMB. That day became the beginning of the year. "It shall be the first month of the year"(Exo. 12:2). So Moses and the children of Israel sang, "He is become my salvation" (Exo. 15:2). Let us in the New Year bring into God's House the decoration of grateful praises for His great love that made Him to give His Son as the Lamb of God for our salvation.

Secondly, it is a place of Priestly Ministry. "For there are set thrones of judgement..." (v.5). Amidst God's people, there are always bound to be controversies which if not attended to, will take away the beauty of God's House. The Lord, through Moses told the children of Israel, "If there arise a matter too hard for thee in judgement, between blood and blood... thou shalt come unto the priest the Levites...and they shall shew thee the sentence of judgement... thou shalt not decline from the sentence which they shall shew thee " (Deut.17.8-11). They zealously preserved the beauty of God's House by the priestly ministry of Levites. And. what beauty there will be in God's House today, if only we could discern and decide righteously in the FEAR of God, controversies that come up in our midst! The last words of David were, "He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God" (2 Sam. 23:3). O that the House of God may be so decorated with the beauty of true, humble, sincere Levitical Priestly ministry and services!

Thirdly, it is a place of Peace: "Peace be within thy walls" (v.7). Yes, let us never forget that it is the Dwelling place of the Man of Peace (Micah 5:5), the Prince of Peace (Isa. 9:6), the King of Peace (Heb.7:2), the God of Peace (Heb. 13:20), and the Lord of Peace (2 Thess. 3: 16). Dear Reader, what is your contribution to this peace with in God's House? In Isaiah 2:3,4 we read, "And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up... to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: … and they shall beat their swords irlto, plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more." Then, surely the carnal weapons will be laid down and we will accept His ways and paths of peace.
Fourthly, it is a place of Prosperity: "Prosperity be within thy walls" (v.7). These are days of much material prosperity. Indeed, we believers are in the last days in the Laodicean church age who said, "I am rich... and have need of nothing..." (Rev.3:17), We must not be envious of and long for the prosperity of this world (Psa.73:3). If God blesses us with material blessings, let us accept them with humility. But that will not beautify God's House. It is the spiritual prosperity of love, compassion, forgiving one another, forbearance, patience and God's Word that is needed. Look at Joseph; God made all that he did to prosper, but his spiritual prosperity was greater: " Joseph is a fruitful bough, even a fruitful bough by a well,.." (Gen. 49:22).

Finally, it is a place of Precious Ointment a fragrant perfume. " Jerusalem is builded as a city that is compact together" (v.3). In Psalm 133, a Psalm of degrees, David longs for unity: "Behold, I how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to I dwell together in UNITY. It is like the precious ointment" (vs. 1,2). As we enter the New Year, how much then should we endeavour to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace (Eph. 4:3). Should we not remind ourselves, "There is one body, and one Spirit, ...One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is… in you all" (Eph. 4:4-6). Let us draw near the cross, where alone we will not pull ourselves apart but draw towards one another as one New man. "Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify he might present it to himself a glorious church..." (Eph. 5:25-27).

May the Lord help us all to beautify the House of God in this New Year.

LETTER FOR PRAISE AND PRAYER

Hebron,
Golconda Crossroads,
Hyderabad -500 020,

A.P., India.
Telephone No.27613066

Dear Fellow -Believers in Christ,

All glory and honour, praise and power be unto Him, even our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, Who is the same yesterday and today and forever, Whose years shall not fail. He hath set His Throne in the heavens and His Kingdom ruleth over all (Psa. 103.19).

We are all aware of the grievous calamity that has befallen us -the tsunami deluge-in the closing days of 2004. It has rendered thousands homeless and helpless and plunged thousands more into a watery grave, the majority of them eternally lost. Even so, let us affirm that our Lord, .the upholder and sustainer of this universe has all things under His control. He worketh all things after the counsel of His own will and also worketh them together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose and who have set their love upon Him (Heb.1 :11,12; 1 :3; Rom.8:28; Eph.1 :11).

We began the New Year, I am sure, with a new resolve and rejoicing of hope in our Saviour, Who is able to save us to the uttermost, inspite of the many failures and shortcomings that marked our course in 2004. Hence there should be a review of the past in the fear of the Lord in honesty and sincerity, and humble confession of one's sin and disobedience. Cleansing through the precious blood of Christ is a foundational and essential pre requisite, for the blessings the Lord hath in store for us. Thus only can the Holy Spirit do a new thing in us according to Isa. 43:19-21, and form us as a people to show forth His praise.

We are reminded in 2 Pet. 1 :4, that we are given exceeding great and precious promises by which we are made partakers of divine nature. Seven facets of this divine nature are mentioned in verses 5-7, to be added to our faith, -virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness and charity. Let us be diligent and determined that these things be formed in us by His Holy Spirit. Let us be willing to give it priority, no matter how great be our opportunity in the Gospel activity, coupled with spiritual responsibility during the year ahead.

Apart from the individual promises we have received in the Watch night or New Year services, or personal meditation, we may focus attention on the Motto Texts for the year. They "are to be guidelines for our personal edification, and going beyond it, touching our family life, fellowship life, church life and its oversight.

The first Motto Text is taken from Leviticus 26:11. "I will set my tabernacle among you". The next verse reads, "I will walk among you and will be your God and ye shall be my people". The word tabernacle means dwelling place, residence or habitation. It would be helpful and profitable for our faith to look into the background and context of that particular text taken from that particular book for our stay or support or service. This will give us the necessary insight as to the conditions we on our part should meet, for the fulfillment of the promises of God. Thus we will be attaining to the divine goal He hath in mercy predetermined for us for the year. It will therefore be fitting for us to consider the structure of the book of Leviticus, highlighting some of its salient truths, and statutes which hold good for our faith and obedience, in this dispensation of the grace of God.

The name of the book means, "Pertaining to the Levites". Exodus and Leviticus were guidebooks for the priests primarily, and the Levites, in their ministry in the Tabernacle which God asked them to make that He may dwell among them (Exo.25:8). Israel today has neither priesthood nor temple, so that the nation cannot obey these laws. But Leviticus has great value to the Christian. It illustrates the sacrificial work of Jesus Christ, and stresses the importance of a life of separation and obedience. The book emphasises sacrifice (chapters 1-10), for man must deal with his sins, if he expects to have fellowship with a holy God and what is more, to be His dwelling place. These five sacrifices are fulfilled in Jesus Christ. They are, Burnt offering, Meal offering, Peace offering, Sin offering and Trespass offering. They picture His perfect life and atoning work on the cross (Heb. 10:1.14).

Leviticus also emphasises separation (chapters 11-24), for a redeemed people should walk in God's holy will. These various laws touch many aspects of everyday life, and illustrate principles of holy living that God's children should follow today. Finally, since God anticipated the nation's entrance into the promised land, He gave them some laws and statutes for their safety, security, sustenance, satisfaction and strength against the enemies (chapters 25-27). The land was theirs because of God's covenant, but they could enjoy it only if they obeyed God's will and walked in His statutes, and not contrary to Him. Obedience by faith always brings God's blessing. God helping, we will continue our meditation in our next issue.

The elders, servants and saints of the church at EI-Shaddai, Kalimpong, would have us to praise and thank the Lord for answered prayers for the ministry of the Holy Convocation held in their midst from 18th to 26th December. More than 4000 were registered as participants, besides others who daily attended from the town. The Lord granted liberty to His servants -Bros. Eddy Williams, J.C Rao and Paul Sudhakar in the daily ministry of the Word. Bros. John Hawes and Kenneth Timothy from Sydney, Australia, besides Bro. D.S. Christopher and some of us also contributed profitably to the ministry based on the theme, "Who is on the Lord's side?" (Exo. 32:26). New songs in Nepali and Hindi released a new stimulus to the ministry in which many gave their hearts to the Lord, for salvation, restoration and fresh consecration. About 55 brothers and sisters were baptised, followed by the testimony of the laying on of hands. The procession on the previous day with songs and proclamation of the Gospel brought a new impact of the love of God and the Name of our exalted Lord Jesus, in the town. Elders at EI-Shaddai, Bros. P.N. Namchyo, Pema Tamang, Manikumar and Ting Kong covet our prayers for the follow-up work.
Pray for the year ending ministry fulfilled through our brethren in various assemblies in the country, especially in Andhra Pradesh. The three days' special meetings ending with 1 st January, held at Hebron, Hyderabad, drew several thousands, with Bro Theodore Reginald ministering the Word. Pray for those who have been spoken to by the Lord. In Jehovah- Shammah, Chennai, we had nearly two thousand for the Watch night service, with many newcomers, especially the younger generation. Their presence and response was encouraging inspite of the tsunami deluge, with its ravages in the city and the Tamilnadu coast.

Pray for the ministry fulfilled for about two weeks in Bahrain by Bro. B. Timothy (Khammam). Also pray for the two weeks ministry and fellowship Bro. Pradeep could render at Hong Kong with a two days entrance and fellowship with believers in the Mainland China. Bro. John Victor from Hyderabad went to Botswana for the year -ending ministry. Also Bro. D.S. Christopher was enabled to minister at Berachah, Dubai, for the year -ending ministry for a week.

Let us pray for those at the helm of affairs in our land for wisdom and sufficiency of all things in implementing the gigantic programme of relief work and rehabilitation, for the victim areas in southern states, devastated through the tsunami disaster. Pray that the Gospel may reach the bereaved and wailing unto salvation, hope and life for evermore through the crucified One. The Lord burden us also as companies of His people who have been spared from such disaster, to take some small share in the nation's relief effort -good works acceptable to God.

Pray for Bro. Emmanuel, (the youngest son of Bro. Paul Thangavelu, elder in Bethany church, New York), as he will be united in marriage with Sis. Susan, God willing on 7th January in the church at Jehovah-Shammah, Chennai.

Pray also for the marriage of Bro. Samson Barnabas (son of Bro. Rajamanickam, elder in the church at Jehovah-Shammah) with Sis. W.Rebecca, God willing to be solemnised on 10th January in Jehovah-Shammah, Chennai.

Praying that our Lord Jesus, our exalted High priest may help us all to walk worthy of Him, and of the vocation wherewith He hath called us, from the very beginning of the New Year. Lev. 26:3- 6, 12, Psa.46:1-7, John 16:33

I remain,
Yours in his grace,
K. Philip

YE ARE MY FRIENDS

We read in the Word of God that God took His chosen saints and servants at different times to mountain tops to reveal His plan for them. It is good to study each of such cases individually. Now we want to see how God took Abraham to Mount Moriah.

God first appeared to Abraham in Genesis 12. But He took him to Mount Moriah about forty-six years later. God had to take Abraham through many different experiences during those forty-six years, before he was ready to come to Mount Moriah. Whenever we desire to get a mountain-top experience of the power and grace of God, we must be prepared to go through the many experiences by which God in His perfect wisdom prepares us His children. It may not be necessary for everyone to go through such experiences for forty-six years, but you will find that certain periods of such experiences from God are necessary. Even though we may read the Bible prayerfully and carefully every day, even though we may have the privileges of attending Bible Studies by the best teachers available, having fellowship with the saints of God in a living assembly, and having spiritual parents, yet for our spiritual education and maturity there is a time factor. God has a plan which may extend over a period of less or more years. Whatever it may be, it is very necessary to pass through these painful and trying experiences, in order to be prepared for the Mountain of God.

Now God had planned from eternity to make Abraham His friend. In Isaiah 41 :8 He calls him "Abraham my friend", but to become the friend of God, Abraham had to be prepared that he might be able to enjoy the friendship of God. Mount Moriah might also be called the Mount of God's friendship. For forty-six years God had been preparing Abraham step by step to make him His friend. In every human heart there is a longing to have a friend. Even small children show their desire to have a companion or friend, because of that inward longing. In our school days each one of us had our own special friend. Again in college there were special friends, and in later life it is a peculiar joy to meet old school and college friends.

Several years ago I passed through Calcutta and there I met a very old friend of mine whom I had not seen for thirty-one years. We had been thick friends in college days, but when I went to England, we lost touch. Then after several years he saw my name in the newspaper and wrote to me. So we began to correspond. When I went to Calcutta I visited him, and what a joy it was to see him and the whole family. He called his wife and children to meet me, his old friend, and I had the great joy of giving them the Gospel for two hours. This illustrates my point that in the heart of every man there is a longing to have a friend. But it is not very easy to have good friends, and that is why many are disappointed. Some have been friends for two or three years and then have separated. I am sure there are many who have been sadly disappointed because of broken friendship. But here God was speaking to Abraham as His true friend. (To be continued.)