Herbert W Armstrong

Examine Ourselves: Mr. Herbert Armstrong appreciates not only the deep concern being shown by God's people for him but also their faithful prayers for his full recovery. His condition has remained basically unchanged for the past few weeks.

We know God is faithful and that he hears our effectual, fervent prayers. As we continue to seek God’s intervention for Mr. Armstrong, lets remember the need to look for the sins, weaknesses, flaws, and shortcomings in ourselves, and to strive to overcome and change. Sometimes we may lack the faith we need to believe God’s promises simply because of a hidden sin or wrong attitude that we have not squarely faced and come to grips with.

The process of examining ourselves is not limited to Passover time. It should be an ongoing process that continues all year round, especially during times of need, emergency or difficulty. We are all human and we are all subject to sin. Let us seek God's help in recognizing and actively going to work on those areas of our lives that are not properly reflecting the example and mind of Jesus Christ.

None of us has any power on his own to do the work of God's ministry. We are only effective tools for God's use to the extent that we submit ourselves to Him and allow Him to work through us. Let's each be sure that we are not preventing God from using us effectively because of a stubborn or hardheaded or neglectful attitude on our part.

As God's ministry, let's make an extra special effort at this time to draw close to Him, thereby drawing closer to one another as His unified body, bonded together by His love, which is the fulfilling of His law.

Growth: As Mr. Richard Rice describes later in this issue, we were delighted with the record-breaking telephone responses to the last two telecasts. Each weekend brought in well over 25,000 calls! This kind of response is due in part to the effect of the new television stations added this year. God has given us great blessings in growth during these past 12 months. But, again, I stress that we must each recognize the need to do our part individually to draw close to God, to be pleasing Him. This is God's work! He will see it done. But God has chosen to work through human instruments. And as Mr. Armstrong has often pointed out, we can be responsible, by our own lack of spiritual growth, for God not fully blessing us as He otherwise would.

Let's take seriously this calling God has given us! What could ever be more important? If we are not progressing spiritually, if we are only standing still, only trying to just "hang in there," then we are going backward.

The apostle Paul admonishes us in Galatians 6:9, "And let us not be weary in well-doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not." We cannot spiritually afford to let down in prayer, in Bible study or in regular fasting. Don't permit yourself to "take it easy." As Paul told Timothy, "Stir up the gift of God [the Holy Spirit] which is in you" (II Timothy 1:6). God has given us His great mercy and grace and His power to do His will, if we will only use it. Let us carry on faithfully and faint not!

Meat in Due Season: It is always a good idea about this time of year to give a sermon regarding Christmas, its origins and observance, and why God's people do not keep it. Pastors might also assign a sermonette or two to cover the balanced Christian approach to dealing with relatives, friends, school activities, etc. on the subject of Christmas. Mr. Herbert Armstrong's "Personal” entitled "Have You Tried to Convert Others” in the December, 1985, "Good News” gives excellent instruction on how to follow Jesus' example in working with others. Other material specifically pertinent to Christmas can also be found in the same issue, as well as in issues of "The Plain Truth" and " The Good News" of previous years.

Try to keep attuned to what topics might be of value at specific times in the year, so your topics are always timely and interest-evoking.

This is also the time to plan sermons on the topics of first, second and third tithes. The Feast will be here in another 11 months. The time to be concerned about faithfully saving second tithe is, of course, now not 10 months from now.

Prayer Updates: We were saddened this past November 25 to learn of the death of Mr. Michael Bechel. Mr. Bechel had been ill for several months and had entered the hospital about a week earlier, after his condition worsened.

Mr. Rechel was ordained in 1967 as a local elder and was raised to preaching elder in 1968. He most recently served as pastor of the Charleston, South Carolina, and Savannah, Georgia, congregations. Mr. Robert Persky, who has been pastoring those churches since Mr. Hechel's illness, conducted the funeral service on Wednesday, November 27.

Thank you for your prayers on Mr. Hechel's behalf during his illness and for your continued prayers for Mrs. Kay Bechel.

Molly Moskel, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Moskel, is, as most of you know, suffering from leukemia. She has been making good progress. The Moskels deeply appreciate your concern and prayers and we are encouraged by the steady improvement.

Mrs. Robin Hulme has also been making slow but sure progress, and though she still has a long way to go, she is feeling steadily stronger.

Also, Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Schreiber greatly appreciate the many prayers on Mrs. Schreiber's behalf. Although the cancer in Mrs. Schreiber's foot seems to be worsening, she is experiencing practically no symptoms from the cancer in other parts of her body. Please continue to pray for the Moskels, Hulmes and the Schreibers in their hour of need.