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Encouragement
| Bro Charles and Sis Cathrine Daka (Mufulira, Zambia)
I
t Is good to have letters from you, which are
providing some encouragement and they are
very helpful. Yes, it is very important to have
fellowship with each other as this helps
everyone of us on our walk towards the coming
kingdom. However, this is not always too easy,
as we are all so different from each other, so
we must try to do the best we can. It is a
sobering thought when we consider that our
fellowship with one another should reflect the
fellowship that we enjoy with the Lord! I am
reminded of the biblical principle somewhat
paraphrased, “As he has been kind to us, so
let us be kind to others.”
Sorry to tell you that we have lost our brother
in the Lord, Katongo Davies Mulenga who
slept in the Lord last year.
We have some problems about farming here.
At this time we need a ten kg bag of maize
seeds, and a 50 kg bag of fertilizer for this
farming input; maize seed is at K200. With our
Father’s help, we will stir and give some help
to our brothers and sisters after harvesting.
Every time we come together, we remember
the work of the Lord Jesus Christ, the chief
shepherd who gave his life for the sheep. The
one who gave all for us. The one who said it is
more blessed to give than to receive. Let us
remember him as he commanded us, “Until he
come”. You are so correct when you say it is
more effective to put the ‘truth’ into actions
rather than ten thousand words. Unfortunately
it is often easier to talk about it than to do it.
As children of our Father, it has been made a
matter of prayer, requesting help from Him,
who only is the source of all good things. As
brethren and sisters, and as ones who are
getting older, we know for sure that to pray
without ceasing is the only way to overcome
all the difficulties we experience in this life.
“By Whose Authority….?”
| Bro Neil Todd (Australia)
T
his was the BIG question posed by Christ to
those who placed such a high value on
human authority!
It arrived unexpected, as a vexing question,
“What about the authority of John the
Baptist? Was it of God, or of the masses?” Too
hard to answer? John openly spoke the Word
of God. He did no miracles – yet many believed
him to be a prophet, sent from God. He was
just that and more! The questioners who
approached the Lord had heard His Words and
seen His miracles. They were without excuse.
(The references are in Matt 21:23, Mark 11:28
and Luke 20:2.)
“I am from above….”
Jesus showed that His authority was “from
above” with Word and with Power, received
directly from Heaven. His apostles were
witnesses to both. They heard the Voice, they
saw the miracles. They loved their Lord! Peter
tells us that they were eyewitnesses, not
only of His authority, but also of His Royal
appointment! (2 Peter 1:16-17).
Disciples of the Lord
When we were baptised we accepted without
question, Christ’s authority to speak, act and
to require our complete allegiance. The Jesus
we have come to know, is One who daily
administers His Divine authority with compas-
sion, love and patient understanding. In this
present world He has delegated His authority
to many.
What ‘authorities’ might we exercise NOW as
Believers?
| To use the Word of God
| To uphold Jesus’ teaching
| To witness to His Way