Mandatory Sunday Rest, Anyone? What about God’s Sabbath?

Today (Nov. 29, 2017), I was riding along in my car, and as an out-of-the-usual-order kind of thing, I happened to be listening to the radio – a Christian radio station (which if I’m going to listen, it generally would be such). Early that morning, I had forgotten my phone, which had my new audiobook listen on it (exploring history and church perspectives), so I had flipped on a Christian radio station. I decided to listen a bit, while driving this afternoon. While listening to this station from the Tri-Cities, WA area, Janet Mefferd, the Christian broadcaster and radio talk show host, came on with a one-minute sound bite. The substance of it immediately caught my attention!

She began highlighting a recent political fact, that in Poland, a legal bill was just passed which aims to eliminate Sunday shopping, for the most part, in their country by 2020. The ABC news article reads, “Poland’s lawmakers on Friday approved a law that will phase out Sunday shopping by the year 2020 despite criticism that it may eliminate thousands of jobs.” (ABC News Online, Nov. 24, 2017).

The bill was initially sponsored by trade unions. Then it was supported by a ruling party who largely adhere to Catholic values. Their official logic to it? For workers to spend more time with families. Notice how the same ABC article reads, “Proposed by trade unions that want shop and trade workers to spend more time with their families, the bill got support from the ruling party that adheres to Catholic values.”

In a statement from Polish Catholic Bishops, they raised some complaint, saying that “the bill did not go far enough, and that everyone should be free from work on Sundays” (Catholic Herald, Nov. 25, 2017). Certainly, their position, as a church has been very clear for quite some time! They want all Sundays to be free from work, in keeping with their church doctrine, and they want it to be enforced as a mandatory rest day by as many governments around the world, as possible.

In the Catholic Catechism, for example, after stating clearly that the Biblical Sabbath is actually on Saturday, such as in this statement: “2175. Sunday is expressly distinguished from the sabbath which it follows chronologically every week; for Christians its ceremonial observance replaces that of the sabbath,” they then go on to say how they believe Christians should keep Sunday holy instead of the biblical seventh-day Sabbath of the 4th commandment. In the same dialog, they state the need to push Sunday as a legal rest day. Their statement reads, “2188. In respecting religious liberty and the common good of all, Christians should seek recognition of Sundays and the Church’s holy days as legal holidays.” (Catholic Catechism, online edition, on their 3rd commandment).

As a matter of fact, the only kind of “religious liberty” which is supported by such a policy, is the kind that favors their own religion and enforces it. Should you and your faith disagree with them and the laws favoring them, they would just as soon see you trampled into the mud. We need look no further than the infamous Inquisition, in history to see that, though books and testimonies are replete with (chalk full of) examples and teachings on this point. Disguise this as a benefit for all, as they may and often do, and yet still, this all boils down to Romish power and political support for their agenda. In the end, dissenting voices will be disdained, and the rights of free citizens will be trampled. It is one thing to engender support for the free practice of your faith (and that of others), but it is quite another to enforce the mandates of your faith upon the whole world around you (in disregard for others).

Now, back to Janet Mefferd, the Christian broadcaster, and the initial Polish trade unions who pushed this bill in Poland. First, let’s talk about what Janet said. In referencing the passing of this bill, Janet says that there is a “lesson to be learned for us Americans.” Essentially, she tells us that we all ought to remember God’s time of rest, and our families, and push for more rest on Sundays. She asserts that this kind of thing might be good for our country too.

Well, Mrs. Janet, I respectfully disagree. I don’t disagree with rest or honoring God and family. That’s fine. But, I do disagree with the legislation of a particular church’s or believers’ holy day as a mandatory day of rest by secular governments. While the majority might agree with that day, it still puts others out. Even if the minority was having their day legislated by man, it would still not be healthy. This is because God wants the free service of the heart and conscience. God does not force us to worship Him. Commandments five through ten deal with the treatment of mankind between mankind and by all means, let various governments enforce and protect those laws. But commandments one through four deal with who you worship and how you worship. That is personal. God allows people to choose their God. “Choose ye this day whom ye will serve…” (Joshua 24:15). It’s a choice that everyone must make on their own. It’s between them and God. And that is why no secular government should be enforcing religious laws about who and how to worship, no matter what their conclusion is. Persecution always results when that happens and when residents don’t follow those religiously-motivated laws.

So, while I agree with taking rest, obeying God, and taking care of families, I think it should be done without legislating a particular day of the week for worship, rest, and families, in which no other work is allowed. People should have liberty. That should be respected. People with values of family, and worship and obedience to God should be respected and permitted to do so on the day of their choosing. That is true liberty.

Now, one last thing. Trade unions. It’s interesting how these trade unions are pushing for such a day of mandated rest, which is in harmony with Catholic teaching, and even most Protestants, but is not in harmony with all peoples everywhere. When majorities pull together and push their ways upon minorities, whatever the cause, people get injured. Majority rule is necessary in many respects, but never when it comes to the matter of freedom of faith, beliefs, convictions, and religion. True freedom of faith and religion is only experienced when majorities seek to protect the values, free practice, and beliefs of those who are in minorities, as well as majorities. Favoring majorities only, in our policies, and affecting religion and the workplace, such as in this case, is a disaster waiting to happen. For example, what will occur when the majority says you cannot work on Sundays, but should have a family rest day, and worship day then, while the minority might say, we worship and rest on Friday or on Saturday? Then, while taking their rest on Friday or Saturday, they are now forced to rest on Sunday too, when they need to be getting some work done. In this case, such trade unions and organized majorities will fight for the rights and preferences of a majority, but they will trample and hurt minorities, not allowing any true freedom and equality for both. But, rather, hurting the one, while aiding the other.

All of this talk of trade unions, working to legislate a majority’s religious day, at the expense of a minority group, reminds me of a very insightful statement penned over 100 years ago now. It reads:

The work of the people of God is to prepare for the events of the future, which will soon come upon them with blinding force. In the world gigantic monopolies will be formed. Men will bind themselves together in unions that will wrap them in the folds of the enemy. A few men will combine to grasp all the means to be obtained in certain lines of business. Trades unions will be formed, and those who refuse to join these unions will be marked men.—Letter 26, 1903. {2 Selected Messages, p.142.2}

These unions are one of the signs of the last days. Men are binding up in bundles ready to be burned. They may be church members, but while they belong to these unions, they cannot possibly keep the commandments of God; for to belong to these unions means to disregard the entire Decalogue. {2 Selected Messages, p.143.3}

The book of Revelation tells us, in chapter 13, about a governing “beast” power, saying, “(15) And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed. (16) And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: (17)  And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.” (Revelation 13:15-17)

What does this passage in Revelation mean for us? It means that in the last days of earth’s history, powers will be at work to control the world and all the people on it. They will be controlled according to the will of a certain majority, so that, if they would remain loyal to Jesus and His commandments (Rev. 14:12), they will not be able to function in or work with the ruling society (majority). Death will be threatened and the power to buy and sell will be removed for those who don’t agree with the ruling system and powers. As a Christian, this should be a concern to us. While all the world may not care much, some are very conscientious about keeping God’s actual commandments, as God has given them. No matter what our belief or position, if we care for our neighbors with God’s love, we should seek to promote and support only laws that will help not only the majority to be free in their preferred manner, but also the minority – thus providing true liberty of conscience.

While the Catholic church, Mrs. Janet Mefferd, trade unions, and others might see their religious views and values uniting to form their preferred society, we should remember that God calls us to serve Him with our “free will” (See Exodus 25:2; 35:5). And if we support God’s view and manner of things, we must allow that same liberty for others who do not see eye to eye with our personal position, be it majority or minority. Keep in mind that stupendous and harmful events are coming upon this world and upon God’s people. God has promised it. The majority will unite this world in rebellion against God, trampling the rights of conscience of sincere, commandment-keeping believers of God. Let us not be on the wrong side. Be faithful to God, keeping His word in all good conscience, and loving our neighbor as ourselves (even if we don’t agree with them).

Sabbath love-making: Is it biblical?

“Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. (9) Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: (10)  But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: (11) For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.” – Exodus 20:8-11

The age old question for Sabbath-keepers arises – what is appropriate for the Sabbath day and what is not? Many have tossed ideas around concerning various activities from swimming to getting wet to walking a number of steps, etc. One of the questions people wonder about is love-making between spouses upon the Sabbath day. That is, is marital (between a husband and wife) sex okay on Sabbath? Some would blurt out a quick yes. Some might hesitate. Others would give a certain, “no!” While there does not seem to be a Bible text that gives us an explicit answer dealing a verdict directly on the matter, there are however some biblical principles that we can briefly explore to give us more clarity to the issue.

Please consider the following biblical principles in formulating your understanding of the matter:

• Procreation – Sexual encounter with your spouse is in one sense a matter of reproducing life. In fact, we all got here through “sex.” God said to Adam and Eve, “Be fruitful and multiply” (Genesis 1:28). Did God “create” on the Sabbath, or rest from His creative work? He rested, of course! And He commanded that people should do the same. So, should we potentially be pro-creating upon the Sabbath day? Doesn’t seem to fit the activity of rest from creative labor or action.
• Sanctity of the Sabbath – God “hallowed” or made holy the Sabbath day. That is, He made it for a holy purpose. Now, some might debate whether or not sex is a “holy” thing between a husband and wife [though it is certainly within holy guidelines, when married], but if we get down to the biblical definitions of holiness and purity and commonness, then it will not take us very long to realize that Sabbath is holy while the act of sex is a “common” matter. In the following points, we’ll see this in scripture.
• Holy vs. Common – Exodus 19 – When God came down upon Mt. Sinai He asked Moses to “sanctify” (i.e. to set apart as holy) the people, so that they could withstand the glorious presence of God being near to them without them dying. As Moses went to “sanctify” the people he instructed them to “be ready” for God’s appearance upon the 3rd day and to “come not at your [their] wives” (Exodus 19:14-15). In other words, they were not to have sexual contact with their wives (lawfully wedded spouses) when preparing to meet the LORD and His holy presence. Their minds were to be upon high, lofty, holy themes. God clearly considered this activity a “common” matter and not a “holy” activity, although lawful sex between man and wife is part of a holy life, not taking away at all from holiness, even as eating food, though not a holy act, is still a valid part of a holy life.
• Eating the bread of life – In the days of David he came to the priest Abiathar with his men and they were all very hungry and had no food. They asked if there was bread to eat. The priest said that there was only holy bread there. He then asked “if the young men have kept themselves at least from women” (See 1 Samuel 21:4-6). This standard of whether they had laid or not with a woman recently was used to determine whether or not an exception could be made in allowing them to eat from the “holy bread.”  The holy bread was only to be eaten by the priests who were holy and who had been consecrated/dedicated to God’s service. In how this matter came up, it shows us that the act of sex, or sleeping with a wife was not considered to be in harmony with eating the holy bread on the same day, by these. If defiled or made unclean by sex on that day, they could not eat. However, with space between the act of sex and the eating of the bread, by a matter of days, the eating could be allowed for their pressing need. In an interesting expansion on this, Jesus is said to be the “bread” which came down from Heaven (John 6). The Sabbath is about Jesus to whom when we come, we find rest (Matthew 11:28). Therefore, in meeting Jesus, the holy bread of life within the bounds of “his holy day” (the Lord’s day – Sabbath, Isaiah 58:13-14), we should be sure we are clean and of proper mind to focus on Him.
• Unclean if the seed spills out – According to Leviticus 15:16, “if a man’s seed of copulation” was to come out of him, he was considered “unclean” until the evening (i.e. til the end of the day), and was to bathe in water. It would then stand to reason from this as well that the activity of sex was considered “common,” instead of holy. It is considered part of the lower nature (body), rather than the higher (spiritual, mind – to which powers of the body are ever to be subjugated), although none can argue that mind and spirit are unaffected by sensations of the body. Should one be “unclean” upon the Sabbath day when planning to worship the holy God? It would seem that we ought to strive to be pure and “clean” to meet with our holy God upon His holy day – a day which begins at “evening” and ends at the next “evening” (Lev. 23:32).
• Our own pleasure or delight in Him? Isaiah 58:13-14 speak about delighting “in the LORD” upon His Holy Sabbath day, not defiling it, and “not finding our own pleasure” upon His holy day, or even speaking our own words (meaning, words which are not aligned with holy Sabbath sanctity). Therefore, the Sabbath is a day to delight in the LORD and to think of Him, not even speaking our own words. So, what about sex? Are we delighting in the Lord or in ecstasy and physical pleasure with our spouse? Some might say that it points us to the LORD who gives such joys with our spouses. However, the point remains that “our own pleasure” does indeed come to us in sex, and we generally would delight in the physical ecstasy of the moment rather than the spiritual joys of contemplating our holy Creator. Would our minds be on God – the Creator, or on personal and spousal pleasure – the creature, rather than the creator who is blessed for ever? [let us not be “lovers of pleasure, rather than lovers of God” – Romans 1:25; 2 Timothy 3:4]. We could even ask if our “words” would be in harmony with Sabbath holiness, or if they would be “our own words” on topics different than the holy themes of contemplation which God desires upon the Sabbath.

From these points, we can begin to form some conclusions about what is right to do in this matter. In this article, it is not my aim to cast “a snare” upon anyone, but rather to consider what God has in mind for ultimate joy through His plan. Based on the evidence, that plan seems to be: sacred and eternal joys in God upon the holy Sabbath, while sensual, common, and temporal joys are for the six common working days each week.

In drawing conclusions, we can ask, “Am I procreating (creating) upon God’s day of rest from creation?” Should I? Is this a holy purpose or a common one? Am I prepared to eat the holy bread of life – the spiritual goodness of Jesus Christ upon the Sabbath by indulging the fleshly desires upon the Sabbath? Am I making myself or my spouse ceremonially “unclean” upon God’s holy day? Am I experiencing my “own pleasure” or delighting in Him on the Sabbath?

Let us think of God’s principles and His intent for the Sabbath. What is that intent anyway? Holy rest, delighting in God, and improving our relationship with the holy God. So, the next time you think about possible physical pleasures upon the Sabbath, why not think about getting into God’s presence instead, being intimate with Him, and delighting in the joys of His presence? It’s a higher, holier, more pure, beautiful, and ennobling experience than any other possible pleasures we might enjoy during the common days of the week.

Let us not be as those who “have violated my [God’s] law, and have profaned mine [His] holy things: they have put no difference between the holy and profane [common], neither have they shewed difference between the unclean and the clean, and have hid their eyes from my sabbaths, and I am profaned among them” (Ezekiel 22:26). Let us consider exercising the highest powers of our beings, delighting in the LORD, and connecting with Him – with His holy presence – to find our greatest joys in spiritual ecstasy with God!

Ben’s Story and Testimony | June 13, 2017

The following testimony has been available on my website for awhile now, but I figured I would add it instead to the growing collection of testimonies on my blog. If you have a desire to know my story of meeting Christ, and have some minutes to spare, I hope you’ll read on and be blessed. May God be glorified in all things for His mighty works! Amen.

Early Years

I was born and raised in the state of California, USA. My parents and grandparents (on both sides) are Bible-believing, Sabbath-keeping Christians. My parents became church-going sincere Christians since before I was born. Being raised in a Christian home I certainly learned a number of things about God and His truth. Unfortunately, my parents went through a divorce when I was around the age of six. My brother, sister, and I (the firstborn) were then raised by our mother. Around the time I was in 5th grade I developed a feeling of apathy towards regular church going. At that age I recall putting up a fuss about going to church and pretty much stopped going. Only on a rare occasion I would go when my mother at times would insist that everyone should hop in the car and go.

Life Before Christ (B.C.)

Throughout my Jr. High and High school years I was not a church-going person. I didn’t have any sort of personal devotional life with God either. To state it squarely, my interests were quite worldly. My choice of music, the movies I watched, the way I talked, the way I acted, the friends I hung out with, the subjects I spoke about, the rock concerts, and dances I attended—all spoke too clearly of my heart’s love for the world. Even through that, I’m thankful that I did make some great friends who remain friends to this day, even though we may not have the same viewpoints precisely on God (yet. smile). My thoughts were not upon God (although I might have claimed a mere belief in God’s existence, or mentioned a “love” for God if pressed to it). I hoped to figure out some way to make a lot of money for myself and to just live up the “good ol’ life” of doing whatever I pleased. I used to love attending the high school football games on Friday nights, going to school dances, playing rock music on my guitar, racing my car around town with the others on weekend nights, cranking up the music, attending parties, and chasing after pretty women! Although this kind of lifestyle often tells of drugs and alcohol use as well, thankfully, I never got involved in that—and my friends knew me for it too. Something about my early Christian upbringing just told me that it would be a worthless and perhaps “stupid” way to waste away life and health! By God’s grace I was spared from those health-destroying vices, but nonetheless, my heart was filled with the world.

How I Met Christ

What changed my life? Meeting Jesus Christ personally made all the difference! Around the first year of College I was taking classes at a local Junior College in my home town area of Chico, California (Northern part of the state). Life seemed to have lost its direction for me. My job at that time had gotten too old for me, and I was wondering where exactly things would go with College. I started out taking business and general education classes (still hoping later to “make it rich!”). However, there was something missing in life. It all just started to seem so empty.

I had begun asking some of the bigger questions of life. What is my purpose? What is the point of it all? You just work hard, and then you die. I began to develop a depression in that year. Subsequently, I started doing poorly in my classes as well. Unbeknownst to me at the time, some of the rock music I was listening to was also leading to my depressing thoughts. And missing God, though I didn’t realize it, was leading to my emptiness. My heart could fully resonate with the words of Solomon in the book of Ecclesiastes, “…Vanity of vanities, all is vanity. What profit has a man from all his labor in which he toils under the sun? One generation passes away, and another generation comes; but the earth abides forever” (Ecclesiastes 1:2-4, NKJV). Man is doomed to die, and eventually all our labor under the sun weighs up to nothing more than “vanity.” Worthless and empty is a life without God, hope, truth or eternal purpose. The earth just goes on forever, but your life will be forgotten along with the dust. That about summarized it! I was searching for true meaning and purpose in life, but couldn’t find it.

Thankfully, God had a plan! I joined the speech and debate team at my local Jr. College. I wanted to sharpen my skills for business and for life. While there, I got connected with some good Christian friends who were always so positive about life, and who were full of love for God and man. They chose to live differently from the world, and to uphold what was right. Their friendship brought more happiness and joy to my life. Suddenly, I began to see a different side of God. A side I’d never quite seen before. A side of love and joy and true fulfillment; a side of purpose, meaning, and hope for this life and beyond! Struck by this new impression, I decided it was time to read my Bible and to pray. I’d never really read the Bible much of any before, but now it was time to find out just what exactly was in that book which people would sometimes speak of in various ways.

I wanted to be a joyful Christian person, but I wanted to know for sure who this God really was. I opened up to the book of Matthew chapter 5, Jesus Christ’s most famous sermon, the Sermon on the Mount. As I began to read the Holy Spirit began to convict me! Never before had I quite realized the holiness of God in such a way! I was struck right to the heart by the pure and holy words of Jesus. Christ said, we shouldn’t even “look at a woman to lust after her in our heart,” and if we did, that was like committing adultery “in our hearts!” (Matthew 5:28).

Oh, the pure and high standard of God! I thought, “What a terrible sinner I was!” The Holy Spirit convicted me, and I knew right away, I needed a Savior! I wanted to follow Jesus and to do things God’s way! I wanted to have the blessing and peace of God and to honor His holiness! I asked for God to be in my heart and to cleanse me from my sinfulness! From that moment my life began to change drastically! And my friends and family noticed the change too. They were shocked by it, I think.

Suddenly, I didn’t want to look at women the same way as before—they were like God’s daughters who I needed to respect. I didn’t want to listen to that rock music anymore! It was defiling to me. Suddenly, I realized there were so many terrible and unholy things bound up in every lyric of that music, which I’d never realized before. I didn’t want to watch worldly movies anymore or to play violent and evil video games. Those things were not pure and they were not of God. The worldly culture, the parties, the rock concerts, the pride and vanity of racing my car around and blaring my worldly music began to seem unappealing to me. I busted up my worldly CDs and movies—that stuff was now trash to me. I now wanted to go back to church!

My Life after Meeting Christ (A.D.)

From that time, I began to attend church faithfully! I didn’t want to miss a single week! I began praying and having a daily devotional life. I wanted to participate in things at church and to help out with the cause of God! I was hungry for the word of God! I read my Bible diligently every day and to this day I’ve not stopped my daily reading and study habit! I read it every day!

I looked for every book, tape, and sermon I could find to fill my mind with the truth of God’s word! My starving soul was now being fed. Hope, love, joy, and peace were now flowing into my life. The gospel was true and stands true today! Jesus came to destroy the devil “…and to release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage” (Hebrews 2:15). I had been released – set free! Praise God! It was fully evident in my life that God was at work!

“…If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17). My life was totally being made new, and my friends and family could tell something was majorly different. Some were quite surprised and some even resentful of such a change in life, behavior, desires, and interests! But it was God’s doing, and it was “the entrance of His word,” by the impression of His Spirit that did the changing. “The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple” (Psalm 119:130; 19:7). It was a joyful transformation and all of heaven was rejoicing even over this one soul, as with any other, being converted from sin.

Still, I had things to learn, and still I needed to experience the full surrender of my life in baptism! During this time, Satan tried to attack my new-found faith in different ways, suggesting doubts to my mind and other such things, but God’s word fought back mightily and fed my mind with the truth needed for a stable faith. This whole conversion process had begun over the early summer and into the fall of 2003.

In the months of August and September, God brought a blessing to me that will never be forgotten! That fall (2003), there was a Revelation Seminar coming to town! Kenneth Cox Ministries was coming to the little church in Chico, California. Well, I had always heard about these “Revelation Seminars” while growing up, and just how good they were…but strangely enough, I had never attended one. Well, I made up my mind to be there, and to invite all my friends! Every night I came faithfully! I would play the guitar for the kids, and then slip into the main auditorium to hear the preacher! Incredible! Never before had my ears heard such things (at least, as I recalled)!

With crystal clarity the word of God came to life! The prophecies of the Bible came to life! God had outlined all the future of our world right up to the Second Coming of Jesus and beyond! Amazing! God and His word could be trusted beyond a shadow of a doubt! The God who held the future in His hands also held our puny lives in His hands! The other Bible teachings became crystal clear as well! Amazing! It was at this time that I fully realized my duty to be baptized as a follower of Jesus Christ! I’d never made that surrender before and now it was time. The Holy Spirit called upon me to make that step, and at the end of the meetings I became a baptized follower of Jesus Christ! Although, I did wrestle with some thoughts of whether I was ready to make that decision, I did realize that I had to do it. The evangelist told that the devil never says no, he just says “wait.” I realized that was the truth, and I made my decision real quickly and firmly to be baptized in Christ Jesus. I’ve never ever regretted that decision. In fact, I’m so eternally glad that I did!

Since that time in 2003 my life has never been the same! It has now been filled with Christ’s joy. Though trials and struggles of life may come, yet Christ’s holy presence and joy still abide. A deep conviction, calling, joy, and passion came over my life for sharing and helping out in the gospel cause! I couldn’t help but desire to share the joy, hope, and truth of Jesus Christ with every soul possible! I began sharing Bible studies with others, talking with them about God and about my faith, and doing whatever I could to help others know the blessing of Jesus Christ! It has become my passion and joy ever since that time, and God has increasingly given opportunities for me to carry out that work.

The firm conviction rests on my heart that multitudes of people are out there lost and perishing in this world without a hope or a future! Their souls are perishing for lack of knowledge regarding the truth of God and His eternal goodness! I could see no other future, but to dedicate my life fully to the service of God and the work of ministry for those who are lost, perishing, uncertain, or unlearned about the things of God. We have a great work to do before Jesus returns and it is our joy and privilege.

My Hope for You

I hope that you have been blessed by this testimony and story, and possibly even made curious about Christ Jesus, or convicted more about Him and His word through at least some part of my story, God’s word, and the evidence of what He’s done in my life. My hope and encouragement for you and for all is to follow Jesus! Get to know Him! You won’t regret it!

If the Church was a Business

“And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?” – Jesus (Luke 2:49).

Jesus was all about His Father’s business or work! He ate, slept, and breathed His father’s work. He was constantly in prayer about it (Matthew 6:10). He came “to seek and to save” the lost and to “give his life a ransom for many” (Luke 19:10; Matthew 20:28). He said that those who followed him would be made into “fishers of men” (Matthew 4:19), and that we should pray for the Father to “send forth laborers into His harvest” (Matthew 9:38; Luke 10:2).

What if the church was “about our Father’s business?”

We should be.

What would it look like? Probably something like the life of Jesus. People in the church would be zealous about good works – about going around to make a difference in the lives of others and give the glory to our Father in heaven. People would pray and study together and talk about God a lot; not only amongst themselves, but with those on the outside in the community around. A church member who is willing to give all for Jesus, occupies their time with seeking and saving souls, training others to do so, and praying for an increased workforce, while being a strong part of that workforce.

Another question…a reality check. What if the church was a business [or, like a business]? Not talking about bad motives here or greed, but about organization, purpose, concern, and dedication to the task, or perhaps, conversely, a lack thereof. How would we be doing?

What if everyone showed up for board meeting and wanted to be there, finding it to be a privilege? What if we took it seriously? What if our object was “the Father’s business” of evangelism instead of just keeping the lights on and the building running (which of course have their place too, but are not the mission. They are the chores. Not the mission)? What if we showed up all prayed up and having meditated seriously on the work to be done? Coming with fresh ideas to reach our community – to accomplish the Father’s business?

What if we were planning during our board meeting how to get the Father’s business done? Why we exist as a church? What kind of evangelism goals we have? And, are we actually reaching those goals, or not? And, what can each person in the Father’s “corporation” be doing to contribute substantially to the mission of God’s business? Are any of the employees functioning just as dead weight, or are they acting as effort-contributing members who want to accomplish the mission? And, if they are not contributing, what are we doing about it to see that it gets corrected?

If the Father’s business was our passion and dedication then we might see the following:

• Fresh leaders coming in instead of feeling tired and wondering who can lead besides us or help us to do so.
• Fresh hands to do the work instead of only us and the few key long-time tired and aging leaders.
• New sources of income instead of wondering how we’ll get enough funds to support our programs.
• New faces and youthful families instead of wondering how much longer the sea of graying heads in our church membership can keep the ship running.
• Thinking about expanding our services and opening up new locations, instead of thinking about how we can trim down our facilities to save our limited funds.

What are the signs of a ship about to sink, a business going downhill, a church going under?

• People have lost focus on the mission. They expect the work to be done only by their local manager or overseer. They might help with a few chores, but they don’t put a finger to do the actual business or mission their organization is established for. The staff or employees sit around unproductively towards the mission and do personal things during the work time or they do unimportant busy work that does not actually accomplish the mission itself.
• Leaders are too hard to find and the few in place are stretched thin. We no longer have the human resource to keep functioning smoothly.
• Most employees are getting near retirement and there are not many prospects to fill their places.
• The facilities are becoming too costly to be covered by available cash flow.
• The facilities are being scaled down piece by piece because we “no longer need them” for our group size.

What should we do to turn things around if we find ourselves headed in the wrong direction?

• Heart searching – Praying and asking God what we can be doing for Him and how much more we can be contributing to His mission and His business of winning souls.
• Commitment to success – Give yourself to the success of God’s business wholeheartedly as Jesus did. Make it the number one priority in your life.
• Gaining and employing the proper wisdom and knowledge – Get proper training for doing the work effectively. Seek wise counsel and guidance for all on the team.
• Setting to work – Get on with the task of employing [putting to work] what you’ve learned – in doing the actual work for accomplishing the mission and for helping others in the organization to do so as well.
• Slow and steady – the “20-mile march” – We’re in this for the long haul. We need to plan for sustainability in this work and not for a mad dash frenzy that we all burn out from in one to four quarters. Work smart and work steady. Twenty miles in the sunshine, twenty miles in the rain. Set a goal (goals) and keep the pace. We’ll be sure to advance in the Father’s business!
• Keep it up and reproduce – Keep up the heart-searching dependence upon and prayer to God. Keep renewing your commitment to Him and His work. Keep seeking wisdom and knowledge to always do this work more effectively. Keep doing the work. Continue moving forward. Expand enterprises for God and teach others how to do the same.

God’s appeal:

So, yes, God, our Father has a business and that is to expand His kingdom and to save souls from death through the power of His Son Jesus and the message of His truth. His plan is to use the laboring hands of each member of His kingdom to do so (far preferably to “the stones crying out”-Luke 19:40). If we are members of His Kingdom then we are to be an integral part of His business. Are we doing the work as we should? Are things advancing as best they can or regressing and heading for death? And, if they are not advancing as should be, then what are you going to do about it? (I’ll leave that one for you and God to wrestle about it prayer)

Having Vision-empowered Action

“Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.”- Proverbs 29:10

A quick thought here. The Bible says “where there is no vision, the people perish.” As always, the Bible stays true to life!

God gives us wisdom, guidance, and direction from His word. He also inspires us with ideas for the future and what we need to do about it. Unless we have this vision, in a practical sense, then we will be unable to make a successful journey or progress since we would not even know where we are going.

No vision means no planning, no goals, no direction, and hence no proper organization, action, or effort to reach anything meaningful. So, let’s prayerfully plan, set goals, and have direction. Then we can get to work and accomplish something great for the cause of God!

Someone once said, “Vision without action is a daydream, Action without vision is a nightmare.” It rings so true! Vision, plans, goals must be set into action to succeed! However, taking action without the vision, plans, and goals will not accomplish too much in the way of greatness or success.

May God bless and guide as you PLAN, set GOALS, having VISION, and then take ACTION for His cause today!

Completed Song of Solomon study - To begin study of Acts

On February 27th, we finished studying through the Song of Solomon in our Monday evening Bible class. We certainly learned a lot, not only about the marriage relationship, but about the story of Christ Jesus and His church as they are pictured together in that inspired book.

After taking a break from our Monday evening class for the month of March, due to a special seminar that I was teaching, going through the Hebrew sanctuary and the prophecies of the Bible, we are now back for our Monday evening class!

We're planning to study through the book of Acts now, learning about evangelism, the early Christian church, the spread of our faith, and Christian history. For those in the area, hopefully you can join us. For those at a distance, hopefully you'll be able to receive a blessing from the materials shared online!

May God richly bless your day!

Blessings,

Benjamin Burkhardt

7 Reasons to Attend and Support Evangelistic Meetings | March 23, 2017

Currently, we are preaching through a Sanctuary Prophecy Seminar with the local church. In America, I’m often reminded about how busy, fragmented, and even disinterested churches, or various members can be – even at such crucial times as when offering an evangelistic series to reach the community with Christ’s all important message for the last days! I’m very thankful for those who do make a special effort to come out to attend, help, and support the meetings. It brings glory to God when we work together for His cause!

Certainly, the devil is out to divide the church. We need more than ever to pray, to unite, and to be focused on an orderly, organized, and cohesive effort to reach our communities for Christ! In pondering this, I came up with seven reminders – seven reasons – by God’s grace, why we should make an extra special effort to consecrate our hearts to God, and to His service, and to be actively supporting the work of public evangelism in our churches! I’ve shared these with folks in our local churches to encourage them to be active in supporting the work. Here they are, listed below for you:

1. Support Evangelism – In saying “Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel…” (Mark 16:15), Jesus invites us to be present and supportive of meetings and efforts for spreading His word.
2. Revive, Refresh, Reform – God will deepen our heart convictions, refreshing us, and making us more useful in His service, as we attend. “…exhort…so much the more as you see the day [of His coming] approaching” (Heb. 10:25).
3. Swell Crowd – Your presence builds the audience and adds energy for all.
4. Church Unity – harmony of purpose and effort. Laboring “with one accord…” (Acts 1:14; 2:1, 46).
5. Befriend – Connect with those attending. “…if you have love one for another” (John 13:35). Making friends for God will help people to find a warm new church family to be a part of.
6. More Guests – Can you invite others and never attend yourself? Not likely. This shows apathy for God and His cause. Sorry. Truth is the truth. “The Spirit, and the bride say, Come,” as do those who respond (Rev. 22:17). Will you? Bring you and someone.
7. God’s Blessings – God will bless our unified efforts for Him. “Blessed are ye that sow beside all waters…” (Isaiah 32:20).

We could probably elaborate more on each of these items above, but for the sake of brevity, I think we get the idea.

With seven reasons to attend and support the meetings, what are some ways that we can help and support?

Here are five: (1) Attend regularly, (2) Invite others, (3) Volunteer, (4) Pray, and (5) Give. 

Usually, it will be best to have a combination of all these in as much as possible. Your attendance, your inviting, possibly even volunteering, your fervent prayers uniting in spirit with this work, and your self-less giving will make a huge impact for God’s kingdom, helping the evangelistic effort in untold ways, helping souls to find God and His truth, and it will also impact your own life for eternity!

Yes, we may get tired or worn while involved in the work of soul winning (like in any kind of work), but we will also be greatly blessed! To spend and be spent for God will bring blessings, not only now, but throughout eternity! Let us store up our treasures in heaven, gathering souls for God’s eternal kingdom! May you be blessed today, and to this end, is my prayer, in Jesus name, Amen.

Gracious Lord Child Care Orphanage (2012-2017 Update)

Another orphanage in Kenya, run by a very sincere young Kenyan Seventh-day Adventist Christian, and lay-Evangelist named Jeremiah Otemo, is the Gracious Lord Child Care center. This orphanage is located in Kisumu, Kenya. That is on the west side of Kenya along the sea. This orphanage, run by Jeremiah and his wife, in 2012 was a little further along in their development process than Kisii Kids (at the time, though smaller in size). Of course they still have various needs from time to time for different improvement projects. The owner of this orphanage, Jeremiah, is also friends’ with Stevenson K. Maranga, the owner/operator of the Kisii Kids’ Orphanage (in Kisii, Kenya).

The philosophy of the Gracious Lord Child Care Orphanage is basically the same as is the Kisii Kids’ Orphanage. That is, to train up these young people to become successful and productive Christian individuals and missionaries for God! The young people are taught practical skills for living and being useful in this life, while especially being given a very solid Christian experience and education from those leading out at the orphanage. They work hard to be self-sustaining, and keep a smaller child base (smaller number of children) to be able to care for them more effectively.

The children have daily worship times and are thoroughly taught of God and His word! They are educated not only of Christ, but of Christ’s mission and our duty to serve Him faithfully throughout our whole lives!

To learn more about this Gracious Lord Child Care Orphanage, you may visit their facebook page, which is regularly updated by Jeremiah Otemo. You can also visit Jeremiah’s personal facebook page by clicking here.

When I was visiting brother Stevenson Maranga and the Kisii Kids’ Orphanage back in March of 2012 I had the chance to personally meet brother Jeremiah Otemo, and to do some Evangelistic work with him. He’s a very spiritually minded and mission driven young man, who is serving Christ! I pray the Lord will bless his mission efforts in Kenya and the surrounding countries in Africa (which he also works in at times).

They could use our prayers, interest, and financial support as well. Perhaps think and pray about what you can do to be of help to them in their mission. Get to know about their case, and that of others, as was the example of Job (see Job 29:15,16). Then see what can be done to help in such a mission. You may contact Clear Call Ministries if you have any questions, or make a donation especially for these orphanages (marked clearly for which cause) by use of our secure Paypal donation site. Or you can contact Jeremiah Otemo directly through his facebook page (Or Stevenson K. Maranga for the Kisii Kids’ Orphanage), and arrange to send them aid/donations directly.

NEWSLETTER UPDATES: Please be sure to check out these Newsletter updates from the GLCC ministry! They are very informative as to the wonderful work that has been taking place there over the years. For the latest, please contact Jeremiah on Facebook. [Simply download each PDF report to view it in its entirety]

• August 2013
• September 2013
• November 2013
• March 23, 2014
• May 2014

The latest update I have on Jeremiah’s Orphanage is the following from Jeremiah on Feb. 22, 2017. They are still very hard at work there for these children! If you can help them in some way, please do so by reviewing their Facebook page, contacting Jeremiah, praying, and sending funds as you feel impressed to help them out.

Feb. 22, 2017 Update from Jeremiah Otemo:

Thank you so much for your concern. We are very active brother – more than before. Only that I am silent due to the heavy workload on my shoulders and my wife. We are too busy nowadays working to run the orphanage after the funds went down brother. I decided to do some business of transportation and make some income for the work. My wife is working on making and selling clothes in open markets. We have 20 plus children brother to be taken care of without stable monthly funding! You can try to imagine such a heavy work in native Africa!

As you can see, they are working very hard to serve the Lord and these children. As stated above, I’ve met with Jeremiah and spoken to him throughout the years. I consider him a very hard worker for the Lord, very sincere in the faith, and his cause is truly a worthy one.

That’s all for now!

Blessings in Christ,

Benjamin Burkhardt 

Helping Those In Need

 One of the greatest revival chapters in the whole Bible, Isaiah 58, brings to light our duty as followers of God to be His helping hands in the world, to relieve the suffering we see around us, and to care for those of humanity who are in greater need than us! God expects us to lift up our fellow men and to help them out of difficult or tight places. God desires that we should help men and women to a place where they also can become strong helpers of others.

Children, orphans, widows, the poor and the outcast are among those whom God asks us to help. God does not ask us to foster any type of laziness in others, or to aid without order and discretion (2 Thessalonians 3:10; 1 Timothy 5:3,16). But, the Lord does call us to help the needy ones of humanity and to assist in lifting them above the pain of unfortunate circumstances to reach a place of health and efficiency.

Below, we can see the “fast” that God himself has chosen for us, and the resulting blessings from heaven that come when we choose to live according to God’s calling! We must remember to let our “light so shine before men, that they me see [our] good works and glorify [our] Father who is in Heaven” (Matthew 5:16). The works of care and concern so earnestly put forth by Christ’s followers will be a telling evidence to all the world of the care and concern that God himself has for all of His creatures! But a lethargic and careless church does just the opposite. When our actions fail to meet our profession, we bring sadness to the heart of God and dishonor to His righteous name. Therefore, let us be the people whom God has been calling, “…a peculiar people, zealous of good works” (Titus 2:14). Let our zeal be ever evident to the glory of His righteous name!!

“Is this not the fast that I have chosen: To loose the bonds of wickedness,To undo the heavy burdens,To let the oppressed go free, And that you break every yoke? 7 Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, And that you bring to your house the poor who are cast out; When you see the naked, that you cover him, And not hide yourself from your own flesh? 8 Then your light shall break forth like the morning,Your healing shall spring forth speedily, And your righteousness shall go before you; The glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard.”-Isaiah 58:6-8, NKJV

The Bible tells us of a righteous man who received the praise and approbation or high approval of God. We know him by the name of Job. God bragged about Job saying, “Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one who fears God, and shuns evil?” (Job 1:8). Job happened to be a wealthy man, but you might say that his wealth of character was even far more consequential than any such “earthly riches.” Job was one who became “eyes to the blind” and “feet…to the lame.” He said in defense of himself to unjust accusers, “I was a father to the poor: and the cause which I knew not, I searched out” (Job 29:15,16). God’s high praise of this man’s righteousness speak to the same. He was a father to the poor, taking them under his wing even as struggling children, sticking with the helpless ones, and raising them up to their feet again.

Job was not one to reluctantly accept the plea of a person in desperate need. Rather, Job was one who “searched out” the cause of the poor that he did not know. In other words, Job was looking for poorer, more unfortunate souls who were in need of help, and whom he could help. Should we not do the same? To look out for those in need, to search them out and to find them, and then to help them, even as a father tenderly does to his own children who are in need? Certainly, if we would please God by exhibiting His own great heart of love for the poor and needy, then we would do such.

Let us search out and look for those whom we may help in the name of Jesus Christ, for most certainly, this is our call, and our work. In connection with the preaching of the gospel, must be the living of the gospel, which shows the caring, loving nature of God! Such care gave efficiency to the work of Christ in His days here on earth, and it will no less give efficiency to the cause of Christ today as His servants live out the practical side of the gospel, “…love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:39). Will we put a week’s or a month’s worth of food on the table of a starving child before we put another car or boat into our garage? Let us pray it will be so!