Motto: “Renew a right spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10

Friday, July 29, 2011

On a beautiful evening in Toronto, Canada, Brother Jerry Eaton welcomed everyone present to the Canadian Field conference. Brother Morris Lowe, the Canadian Field President, opened the conference by reading the conference theme verse, Psalm 51:10, “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.”

When he wrote this David was going through the worst spiritual experience in his life. He was suffering the worst blunder of his life. David, prior to this, had enjoyed a deep fellowship with God.  But things had now changed in his life, the result of one moment of lust. Why did David put his relationship with God in jeopardy?  Even David’s servants informed him that the woman was Uriah’s wife but David did not listen. David tried different schemes to change this reality, until finally he became responsible for sending Uriah to his death so that he could fulfill his lustful desire. “Can a man take fire in his bosom, and his clothes not be burned?  Can one go upon hot coals, and his feet not be burned?  So he that goeth in to his neighbour’s wife; whosoever toucheth her shall not be innocent.  Men do not despise a thief, if he steal to satisfy his soul when he is hungry;  But if he be found, he shall restore sevenfold; he shall give all the substance of his house.  But whoso committeth adultery with a woman lacketh understanding: he [that] doeth it destroyeth his own soul. A wound and dishonour shall he get; and his reproach shall not be wiped away.”  Proverbs 6:27–33

Even though God forgave David he carried the sin that he had committed to his grave and as a deep sorrow for the rest of his life. This is when he wrote Psalm 51:10. We also need to have a right spirit renewed in us because sin brings alienation from God. “Good understanding giveth favour: but the way of transgressors is hard.” Proverbs 13:15. It is only through Jesus Christ, my friends, that we can experience this renewal.  “Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man unto whom the LORD imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile.” Psalm 32:1–2

Brother Nicholas Anca then opened the Sabbath by telling us that God is right there for us. He recounted the story of “blind Bartimeus.” (See Mark 10:46–52 for story)

In Jericho, we find Jesus and we also find a man who is blind. This is in the same place where, years ago, the blowing of the trumpets destroyed the walls of a then heathen city. Blind Bartimeus sat by the side of the road begging. It is very important that we learn the lesson of petition, just like Bartimeus was doing.

“They answered and said unto him, Thou wast altogether born in sins, and dost thou teach us? And they cast him out.” John 9:34.  At that time in Israel, people who were blind were descriminated against. The Jews saw Bartimeus as a man with sin and that is the reason why he must be blind.  Often people judge others like this as well, but Bartimeus launched a petition at Jesus. We must petition Jesus like Bartimeus, who realized he had nothing. He was begging and pleading with Jesus.

Do you remember when you first received Jesus as your personal Saviour?

When Bartimeus heard that it was Jesus, the son of David, walking by he knew that here was a person who could heal him. He recognized Jesus as his personal Saviour.  “I love the LORD, because He hath heard my voice and my supplications. Because He hath inclined His ear unto me, therefore will I call upon Him as long as I live.” Psalm 116:1–2

See how Jesus listens to our prayers? This is the same way He heard the cry of Bartimeus that day.

Years ago when I accepted Jesus as my personal Saviour, I knelt down to pray but I did not know how. My first prayer to the Lord was Psalm 51.  That is where I opened the Bible to when I knelt and prayed for the first time and told the Lord that I did not know how to pray.  We need to petition the Lord to “renew a right spirit” within each of us.

Sabbath, July 30, 2011

We gathered together on a beautiful Sabbath morning to once again fellowship with our God in heaven.

After a beautiful Sabbath School, which was attended by 106 souls, Brother Larry Watts brought to us the bread of life.  “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10

I am thankful that we once again have an opportunity to reconnect with our God. Today is the day in which we need to consider our relationship with God.

“Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.” James 4:17. Here we see God speaking about the sin of omission.

“And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.” Romans 14:23. Here we see God speaking about the sin of doubt.

These two issues are very serious; sins of omission and sins of doubt. In order to eliminate these, we need to pray like David for God  “To renew a right spirit within me.”

Ezekiel 36:26 is God’s response to David’s prayer in Psalm 51. “A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.” Ezekiel 36:26

In Psalm 51, out of David’s mouth came a cry for help and the first thought of his prayer was to revive. The Hebrew word for “renew” is chadash, which means “to be made new.” This word also means to rebuild. We are here this morning because we want to feel and see God working.

Renew the spirit of reconciliation, of rebuilding, of Jesus within us. “For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.  For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.” Romans 5:6–10. When we were sinners, that’s when Christ died for us. That is Christ’s spirit. We have to ask ourselves: do we have this spirit? Are we rebuilders?

Christ lived a life of disinterested love, which means He loved without concern of the result or reaction. He loved because it is who He was and is. That is how we must be. We need to ask the question: are we ready to have Jesus dwell within us, our homes, our work and our churches?

After a wonderful lunch the congregation was treated to two children’s programs full of songs. The children recited their favourite Bible verses and shared with us the story of Jesus.  The Toronto and Montreal youth sstories and poems, accompanied by a medley of songs.  The program was then followed by a presentation from the Woodbridge church youth, which featured an expression of our message, and the time in which we live. Why has Jesus not come?  It is because we are not ready. To be ready, we must know Jesus. Jesus said, “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” John 8:32. What is truth? “Jesus saith unto Him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” John 14: 6. We can then read the verse in John 8:32 like this: And ye shall know ‘Jesus’ and ‘Jesus’ shall make you free.

After a wonderful dinner provided by the Sisters, Brother Jerry Eaton conducted the baptismal candidate review.  Brother and Sister Lowe’s son, Adrian, made his choice to make an open covenant in baptism.  Brother Eaton reviewed with Adrian his decision and his understanding of the truth.

A testimony and praise meeting followed, where Brother Oscar Oviedo encouraged the congregation to bring spiritual gifts to God. Many encouraging testimonies and special songs were presented. We have much to be thankful to God. In every time of sorrow and trial He has seen us through and, by faith, brought us victory.

Brother Elder Hernandez then led out in the Sabbath closing service.  He gave an example of how we are like pens with different colours of ink (blue or black) than what Christ has (red). It is impossible for a blue or black pen to write in red unless the inner refill is physically removed and replaced with a new one with a different colour ink. We need to have our own refill removed first before we can be filled with the “ink” of Christ’s righteousness.

How is it that this change can be made?  We all have good intentions to become better Christians, but good intentions are not enough. We often fall short and for many the excuse is lack of time. We need to dedicate more time for prayer and Bible reading. Weekly church attendance is not enough if the prayer and Bible reading is neglected during the week. This is one sin of omission which some commit.

To have a changed heart, and be able to write in God’s colour of ink, we need to take time with God and He has promised to create in us a clean heart. Our old sins, will be blotted out like a thick cloud and we will be made whole.

After the meeting the congregation was informed that another soul had come forward with the wish to commit their soul to Jesus Christ through baptism.  Sister Fanny Ramirez’s son, Danny, came forward and Brother Morris gave him an examination of his faith before the witnesses there present.

Sunday, July 31, 2011

We began the last day of the conference at the shore of Lake Ontario where, in the presence of members and visitors, two souls accompanied Brother Morris Lowe to their watery grave emerging to a new life in Christ.

At the church our new Brothers, Adrian Lowe and Danny Ramirez, were welcomed into our church family. It was a great occasion in which all heaven rejoiced.

In the afternoon, Brother Jerry Eaton conducted a health meeting in which he presented the correct and healthy way of dress reform. Dress reform was not given only for the purpose of modesty. It was also given for our health. Many people have become ill due to lack of proper dress. Dressing appropriately will improve a person’s circulation and overall health.

All too soon it was time for our final meeting. Brother Larry Watts conducted the farewell meeting.  As Jesus instructed the demoniac after He healed him, we need to go and tell our family and friends about Jesus and the time in which we live. The time is short. Many events are happening in the world that show us for a surety that Jesus will soon return.  It is time to have God renew a right spirit within each one of us.

Many thanks go to all those who participated in making this conference a success.

God bless,

John Formosa, Canadian Field Secretary