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Letter from Braden Veller (January 10, 2020)

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Letter from Braden Veller (January 10, 2020)

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Letter from Braden Veller (January 10, 2020)

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Pastor’s Letter 1-10-2020

 

It Is NOT Your Imagination—                                                                                                           

This World Is Going Crazy

 

Fires in Australia, Acid Rock Concerts, Nukes, Portland Pride, Unrest in France, Mardi Gras, Pegida Unrest in Germany, Homeless Protests in California, Chernobyl…

 

In the Olivet Prophecy, Jesus Christ made a penetrating statement that becomes more significant to us with each passing day: “In your patience possess you your souls” (Luke 21:19) At a time when people worldwide are becoming increasingly discontent and looking for more extreme solutions to rectify all that they think is wrong, it is increasingly important that we be rooted in the Word of God, our one true guide and moral compass that can steer us through turbulent water to the Kingdom of God.

One of the benefits of committing our lives to God is that in return, God promises us a sound mind. (II Timothy 1:7) No one can put a value on that. So many people are filled with worry for so many understandable reasons…unpaid bills, declining health and mobility, fragmented families through divorce, plus addictions, mental fatigue, investment fears at home plus war and rumors of war abroad. Much of all of that is out of their control.

God tells us to do the best that we can in dealing with the challenges of life but He also promises to provide what we need in Matthew 6:33 “Seek ye first the Kingdom of God, and all of these things (food, clothing, and shelter) will be available to us. We need not overly worry about these matters. …Yes, this is easier to say than to do. It is counterintuitive for people who worry to trust God to do what they cannot do.

A critical point to reflect on is that even if the people in all of these photos were to get all of their demands met to their satisfaction, there would still be massive problems because “it is not in man to direct his steps” (Jeremiah 10:23) Therefore,  God must be at the center of his activities. However, the world is deceived by Satan to believe that if we can just get the right people into management, government and business that we would solve all of our problems. Man has had roughly 6,000 years to finally accomplish this and he has disappointingly failed. One case in point is that for almost every year of man’s existence on this earth he has managed to almost always have a war going on somewhere on earth. One of the great lessons yet to be learned by humanity at large is that man cannot flourish without God. It is true that God has promised never to leave nor forsake men (or women) (Hebrews 13:5) but that is predicated on them actually pursuing Him.

In the meantime, the Bible exhorts us to be able to “discern the signs of the times” that help give us the sense of urgency to understand what is happening in the world, which, in turn, should further inspire us to grow spiritually.

What if we could just get the right people?  It doesn’t work that way

We are going to see increasing problems going forward but we should know that if we establish and hold a relationship with God, we can experience all the good things that God can give us now as well as later. But even as we see events that will appear troublesome, let us not get rattled and fearful. God has brought us this far and God wants us to be with Him the rest of the way.

                                    _____________________________

FORT MYERS

Attention tomorrow focuses on Ft. Myers where we have invited over 250 BT subscribers to come to our public presentation, to be held in a larger location: The Baymont by Wyndham, 9401 Marketplace Rd., Ft. Myers, FL., 33912

This is just west of I -75 (exit 131) off Daniels Parkway on Marketplace Rd.

We had a near record crowd of 29 people last week and anticipate more tomorrow. The topic will be “Why Were You Born?” and will be followed up next month with a presentation on end-time prophecy about Jerusalem, the future of the Temple Mount there and the coming war, followed by peace. We expect to meet the following Sabbath at our regular location at the Candlewood Suites.

It has been nice having 2 elders in the area that are here through February, Jim Kocher and John White. And Mel McQueary, a deacon, and his wife Darlene are here for the winter along with the Zahoras.

Tomorrow I will be in Ft. Myers to do the public presentation; the first of three.

 

TALLAHASSEE

The next Sabbath service for Tallahassee will be January 15 at the Courtyard by Marriott. On February 15 and 16 in north Florida, members of the Tallahassee congregation will get together with the Defuniak Springs congregation in Defuniak Springs for a weekend campout to feature food, fellowship, games and the making of music. A few private rooms remain available for those who would prefer to be inside during the night. For the latest information call Skeets Mez, pastor and coordinator  (850-642-3737).

The address is 100 Christian Campo Rd., Defuniak Springs, 32433

 

VERO BEACH

Tomorrow Bill Wilson and Eric Koester will be speaking. On January 25, we will conduct the first of three public Bible Seminars. Tomorrow the congregation will finish up the letter preparation and mailing that needs to be done for this presentation. It has been over 7 years since we have done this. That time frame also applies to Ft. Myers as well.

 

OCALA  

Tomorrow Dale Yates will be speaking, his sermon is entitled “Spiritual Weapons of Mass Destruction”.

It has been nice to see several brethren at church who had been unable to come due to health factors. We need to remember not only them but others who are at home that wish they could be present. One woman in the area is looking for a roommate in an inexpensive living arrangement. See me if you know anyone with interest. Our Ocala pot luck meal will be a week from tomorrow.

Finally, it was good to know that our shut in member in Arcadia (Bob Lesman) is doing well in a rehab center in Sarasota after his successful quadruple bypass surgery 2 weeks ago. We visited with him yesterday. He would appreciate your prayers as well.

It perhaps goes without saying but please pray for God’s blessing with all of our efforts to connect with the public. This is part of our calling and judgment is on us (I Peter 4: 17) to do this well, (and God knows that with His help, we can do it.)

 

Happy Sabbath!

BV