United Church of God

Update from the President: January 19, 2017

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Update from the President

January 19, 2017

This past week, our conference team traveled to Atlanta to conduct a one-day leadership workshop on Sunday, followed by a two-day conference for ministers in the Southeast region. For the leadership workshop, we had 107 in attendance (including 8 from the home office). Presentations focused on the theme of "What Every Member Supplies," stemming from the Church's Vision Statement.

Then, from Sunday evening to Tuesday afternoon, we held the Southeast regional ministerial conference with 57 in attendance (including 10 from Cincinnati). The theme was "Mentoring Disciples to Build Church Community."

We appreciated all the presentations given. Besides the home office staff, we heard from Matt Fenchel, Ken Martin and Scott Hoefker.

I also want to thank our conference team for the synergy we have developed in planning this set of conferences and the energy of the days spent with our ministry.

This weekend, Beverly and I have been invited by pastor Ed Dowd and his wife, RaeAnn, to Tulsa, Oklahoma, for a special themed church weekend "Be a Living Epistle." Besides meeting with brethren socially, we will hold a combined Sabbath service in Oklahoma City and a ladies night for a Spokesman-type Club, Saturday evening. We are so looking forward to being with our elders and brethren!

Standing Fast When the Fire Comes

Have you ever been figuratively hit between the eyes with the sudden onset of a major trial, particularly one that seems to come from nowhere? We have the certain and unbreakable promises from God that He will bless us and sustain us in this life. But when a trial comes and things don't go well, our faith may be shaken. It is easy in those trying times to start questioning things that we once felt were sure.

How about you? Up front, it is important to realize that God is indeed our Sustainer and our Help in present need. We also have the sure promise and understanding that our Elder Brother Jesus Christ experienced human life to the full and that He intimately understands what it is like to be tested and tried, even to the point where Jesus was made "perfect through sufferings" (Hebrews 5:9).

The time will come--if it hasn't already--when we will individually and collectively face severe trials. Let us prepare now, knowing that our reward is sure!

But it still hurts and tests us when we get bad news from our physician, when we face financial challenges, when we hear disheartening news, when we face unexpected trials. It is times like these when we enter what the Bible calls the "refining fire." In the decades immediately following the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, early church members suffered many trials. Some came from their fellows. Others came from government officials.

There were so many difficulties that Peter was inspired by God to write these words: "There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while" (1 Peter 1:6, New Living Translation). He continued with this marvelously insightful statement: "These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold" (1 Peter 1:7, NLT, emphasis added throughout).

A little research will show that gold melts and reaches its refining point at 1,947 degrees Fahrenheit (1,064 degrees Celsius). That's incredibly hot! At a blazing 1,947 degrees, impurities embedded in the gold (commonly called dross) are oxidized and vanish into a molecular mist. When it cools, refined gold becomes remarkably malleable and soft. Refined gold can then be shaped into beautiful structures, much like a trial softens our hearts and allows God to continue molding us into His image!

But it is not a pain-free process. Sometimes our personal trials--especially the ones of a personal nature that can come upon us without warning--certainly feel like we're in an oven superheated to over 1,000 degrees! They hurt.

Regarding this, note what James also wrote to members of the early church about trials and their benefits: "When troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow" (James 1:2-3, NLT). That, for many, including me, is a hard verse to read when we're in the midst of a trial.

Here's a critical point. The Greek word translated "endurance" or "patience" here is hypomone. This is a biblical "power word." It suggests a capacity to conquer, to stand fast no matter what the trial or tribulation. It represents a much sought-after spiritual condition.

And it is most quickly developed in the midst of a painful trial. This is why James tells us to strive for the maximum spiritual benefits of the trials we face, no matter how ferocious or difficult they may be.

The U.S. Marines have a saying that has some application here. When Marines face difficult training or situations, their superiors will sometimes encourage them by stating that "Pain is simply weakness leaving the body." So regarding spiritual endurance (Greek: hypomone), James encourages us: "So let it [hypomone] grow, for when your endurance [hypomone] is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing" (James 1:4, NLT).

The development of spiritual endurance by fire builds our spiritual character, which is basically the only thing we will take with us into the Kingdom of God. That is why Jesus had John record these words for us today: "He who overcomes [NLT: "who is victorious"], I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God" (Revelation 3:12).

Some may say, "But I'm not currently experiencing trials of any merit." If this describes you, count yourself blessed! As disciples of Jesus, during times of peace it is a time when we should be carefully and deliberately building our spiritual house upon a solid foundation. In several instances Jesus taught His disciples to count the cost--consider what is individually needed--to prepare themselves spiritually (Luke 14:28-30).

As James, the brother of Jesus, teaches us, "faith without works is dead" (James 2:26). Each of us must devote the time and resources required to grow spiritually. If we hear, read and obey the teachings of Jesus, then He counts us as "a wise man who built his [spiritual] house on the rock; and the rain descended, the floods came and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock" (Matthew 7:24-25).

But for those who do not prepare, who do not take the time individually to establish a solid relationship with God and Jesus Christ, peril awaits. Those people, Jesus taught, try to build their spiritual house on sand. When trials come, that spiritual house can collapse, and as Jesus said: "Great was its fall" (Matthew 7:27).

What can we learn from this? We must remember that faith without works is dead. We must use the living spiritual faith that is a gift from God. We use that faith by confidently trusting in God, relying on Him to direct us, to sustain us, to deliver us when we face difficult times, no matter how severe they may be.

The outcome? Those who trust in God, who stand fast when the fire comes, those people are rewarded. As David wrote: "Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers them out of them all" (Psalm 34:19).

The time will come--if it hasn't already--when we will individually and collectively face severe trials. Let us prepare now, knowing that our reward is sure!