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December, 2000

Special Meetings

JOY TO THE WORLD

By Sharon Browning, Southern Regional Director

Joy to the world, the Lord is come!

“Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord his God, the maker of heaven and earth, the sea and everything in them…the Lord who remains faithful forever. He upholds the cause of the oppressed and gives food to the hungry. The Lord sets the prisoners free. The Lord gives sight to the blind.” Psalm 146:5-8

As we approach the Christmas season let us remember that God has given His all for us. He gave His most wonderful gift, His Son Jesus. When we receive Him we become the heirs of all of His precious promises and we are cared for, directed, loved, and protected. In turn let us give to Him our obedience, loyalty, trust, faithfulness, adoration, praise, time, faith, and love.

My Prayer

As in Paul’s prayer to the Colossians in the first chapter of that letter I also pray that our Father will “fill you, your spouse, and your children with the knowledge of His will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding that you may live lives worthy of the Lord and may please Him in every way, bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to His glorious might, so that you may have great endurance and patience and joyfully give thanks to the Father who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. For He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son He loves, in whom we have redemption and the forgiveness of sins.”

What a gift, covenant keepers! Receive it. It is yours.

SHALOM

By Vonnie Hieber, Northwest Regional Director

“Glory to God in the highest (heaven), and on earth peace among men with whom He is well pleased—men of good will, of His favor.” Luke 2:14 AMP

This is the time of peace. Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace is our peace. His birth led to our redemption from sin.

As we seek Him and make Him Lord of our lives, we find peace. God is in charge—man is mere man.

So let us then definitely aim for and eagerly pursue what makes for harmony and for mutual upbuilding (edification and development) of one another.” Romans 14:19 AMP

What a joyous season this is! Because of our Savior King’s birth, we can live in peace and harmony as we seek, trust, and adhere to His promises and will for our lives. His peace is becoming more tangible every day as we near the manifestation of the healing of our families.

Being unified in agreement with the Word of God for our lives brings a strong, enduring peace that surpasses all earthly things.

“Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity.” Psalm 133:1 AMP

“You will guard him and keep him in perfect and constant peace whose mind (both its inclination and its character) is stayed on You. Because he commits himself to You, leans on You, and hopes in You." Isaiah 26:3 AMP

This is a time to give of your riches of the Word and the peace of God who is our Savior. In giving and walking in peace, we sow seeds that reap bountiful harvest.

“Be eager and strive earnestly to guard and keep the harmony and oneness of (produced by) the Spirit in the binding peace of power.” Ephesians 4:3 AMP

The world focuses (partially) on Christ at this season. But we have the privilege of experiencing His peace all year. His peace passes all understanding.

May the peace of God prevail in all areas of our lives so that men will be drawn to Him through our walk and talk.

“Finally brethren, farewell—rejoice! Be strengthened-perfected, completed, made what you ought to be; be encouraged and consoled and comforted; be of the same (agreeable) mind one with another; live in peace, and (then) the God of love (who is the source of affection, goodwill, love, and benevolence toward men—and the Author and Promoter of peace) will be with you."

THE REASON FOR THE SEASON

By Starr Lichty, East Central Regional Director

Let’s talk a little bit here about giving and receiving, a natural topic at Christmas time. We should also consider the feelings of loneliness and depression which many covenant keepers experience at this time of year. How are these very different areas related?

Giving Is The Reason For The Season

The giving of Jesus (John 3:16), God’s only Son, is the reason for the season. Jesus gave himself as a ransom for all (1 Timothy 2:6). Therefore we too want to give, especially at Christmas, a wonderful opportunity to think of others.

However, let’s think about giving to others outside our usual circle of family and friends—to others who can’t give back to us—to the poor and needy. Our children, who naturally tend to be self-centered, work on long lists of “gimme this and gimme that.” They need to be taught to stop and think of giving to someone who needs their thoughtfulness.

For several years I had my children involved in helping select a personal gift for several inmates at the state hospital, then wrapping the gifts and delivering them. I could see the sense of satisfaction they received as they carried these gifts into the hospital.

We looked around us for other needy people and children. Within our own Covenant Keeper groups we saw needs. Sometimes we were needy ourselves. As we gave out to others, we had our own needs met. Some things which make truly nice gifts include offering to baby-sit, washing a car, doing someone’s laundry, cleaning a house, or dropping off a bag of groceries. The kids can participate in many of these things and plant seeds to get their own needs met.

Do you see the wonderful opportunities here? Let’s list some:

We and our children make a giving list—not a “gimme list.”

We plant seeds in giving. This brings joy as it is more blessed to give than to receive.

We see a harvest come to us and our needs are met (Luke 6:38).

We discover the antidote for loneliness, depression, and boredom. Stay busy thinking of others.

OK, tonight at the dinner table start making plans for “giving projects.” Start early before the busyness sets in. If you need love, sow love; if you need companionship, sow companionship; if you need money, sow money; if you need time, sow time, all in the lives of others.

Remember to focus on Jesus and others! What does JOY mean?: Jesus, Others, and You, in that order. Have a JOYFUL Christmas season!

We're sorry we don't have any special meetings scheduled in December, 2000.

February 16-18, 2001

Pacific 2001 Retreat - White Rock, BC (30 miles S of Vancouver). Covenant keepers from western Canada and the US Pacific Northwest unite for fellowship, worship, teaching and ministry. This annual event is held in cooperation with Vonnie Hieber, USA NW Regional Director. Contact Gerry Hiebert for registration information.

COME TO THE 2001 CONFERENCE

June 29-July 1 in Tulsa, Oklahoma USA

Farmers everywhere plant seeds with the expectation that they will reap a bounty at harvest time. Compared to what they collect, the amount of seed planted is relatively small. Maybe you can only put aside what seems like a very small amount toward next June’s conference. Plant that seed, pray over it, continue to water it with additional contributions, pray some more, and then trust God to provide the harvest you will need. “The farmer sleeps at night and is up and around during the day. Yet the seeds keep sprouting and growing, and he doesn’t understand how.” Mark 4:27 CEV