Greetings everyone,
This will be a brief update this week, due to the Passover activities. The office closed early Tuesday afternoon for Passover, and on Wednesday and Thursday for the Feast night and High Day. Mr. Ames, Mr. Apartian and Mr. Ehman have not yet returned from their trips to the field areas.
I have not personally talked to Mr. Meredith but reports from others are that Mr. Meredith and Mrs. Meredith are having a very good trip to New Zealand and Australia. I am sure they will have much to report to us upon their return.
I received an encouraging report on the Canadian Work from Mr. Gerald Weston, part of which I will include with this WA Update.
We had a little problem Passover night here in Rancho Bernardo. The school where we booked to meet was hosting a school band contest in another part of the complex which they had not disclosed to us, so the parking lot was way too small for both groups. It was just an inconvenience, and made the event more memorable to many of us.
The most serious problem for us presently is Mr. David Burson's condition, as he needs God's intervention immediately. David's daughter wrote: "He asked me to ask everyone to join our family in fasting and prayer for him tonight." The last time everyone fasted for him he got much better overnight. And he needs to get much better again.
Please remember him every day and night.
INTERNATIONAL
CANADA—Report from Mr. Gerald Weston: Mr. Frank Best reported 18 new people meeting with the church in Montreal since his last visit a few months ago. We are pleased to welcome former and current WCG members who have finally "had it." This coming Sabbath they will be meeting in a larger room as they have outgrown the one they are in. These new people are French speaking, so most of these people know Mr. Apartian and his dedication to the Work. His current visit should encourage brethren in that area. The Montreal congregation, under the leadership of Jacques Secours, is one of the warmest groups we have anywhere and the new folks are being well received.
Here in Toronto, we baptized five individuals yesterday and we have had some very encouraging prospective member visits in recent days.
COMMENTS
I think we all know that Satan, as a roaring lion, seeks to disrupt, confuse and devour members of God's Church (1 Peter 5:8). It seems that each year around Passover and the Feast of Tabernacles he creates as much trouble as he can for "Israel of the flesh," as well.
The apostle Paul struggled in a spiritual war. Ephesians 6:12 "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness [or wicked spirits] in high places."
2 Corinthians 10:1-6 "Now I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, who in presence am base among you, but being absent am bold toward you. (2) But I beseech you, that I may not be bold when I am present with that confidence, wherewith I think to be bold against some, which think of us as if we walked according to the flesh.
(3) For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh. (4) (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds; (5) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; 6 and having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled."
Knowing our enemy is crucial to fighting the war. Knowing our friends (Jesus Christ and God the Father) is crucial to having faith to fight the good fight. Winning or losing a battle is not to win or lose the war—unless it is the final battle.
Have a great Sabbath and keep safe.
Carl McNair