On July 4, 2026, America celebrates 250 years of independence. Speeches will be made. Flags will be waved. Politicians from every persuasion will congratulate the nation and promise a brighter future. The word freedom will be repeated until it almost loses its meaning.

America was founded on revolutionary ideals. The Declaration proclaimed that all men are created equal, endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights — life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. The Constitution and Bill of Rights sought to preserve those liberties by limiting the power of government.

Yet 250 years later, an uncomfortable question remains. What has become of that freedom?

Regardless of political affiliation, few would argue that Americans today enjoy the same level of liberty, privacy, trust in institutions, or confidence in their future as previous generations did. The government has grown. Division has deepened. Citizens increasingly look to political leaders to solve problems that politics has never been able to solve.

Christians however must view this milestone differently. We are not called to place our hope in political movements, elections, constitutions, or governments. Jesus Christ plainly stated that His Kingdom is not of this world (John 18:36). Our citizenship is in heaven (Philippians 3:20). While nations rise and fall, the people of God are commanded to seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness.

That knowledge allows us to ask a question few will ask during America’s 250th celebration.

Is there another 250 in the Bible that serves not as a reason for celebration, but as a solemn warning?

Numbers 16 records another group of 250. They were not ordinary Israelites. They were “leaders of the congregation, chosen from the assembly, men of renown(verse 2). They were influential, respected and trusted.

Yet these men united themselves with Korah in challenging the authority God had established through Moses and Aaron. Their argument sounded reasonable enough: “All the congregation is holy” (verse 4). Why should Moses and Aaron occupy positions of authority over everyone else?

It was an appealing argument. It appealed to equality. It appealed to fairness. It appealed to the belief that no one should possess authority over another.

But Moses exposed the real issue. “Therefore you and all your company are gathered together against the LORD” (Numbers 16:11).

Their rebellion was never really against Moses. It was against God. That same pride, the conviction that we know better, that we get to decide what’s right—that is the same attitude we can observe today in America and in many other nations. 

Scripture identifies the modern English-speaking nations: America, Great Britain, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and their kin are the descendants of ancient Israel, specifically of Joseph and the “lost ten tribes.” That identity carries weight. Not the weight of pride, but of responsibility. God has specifically warned that nations carrying this identity will experience national consequences for this exact pattern of pride and self-rule. While America may be enjoying its remaining freedom now, what is coming is predictable and yet entirely avoidable, if people would wake up and pay attention.

Deuteronomy 28 lays out the blessings (vs. 1-14) and the curses (vs. 15-68), tied to obedience or disobedience to God’s laws. When Israel lost her way and turned from God, notice the progression that God tells us would happen. It intensifies step by step: confusion and frustration (v. 20), disease and economic collapse, foreign oppression (vs. 43-44), military defeat (vs. 25, 49-52), siege and captivity (vs. 64-68).

In Leviticus 26, God repeats the same warning again and again: “If you will not obey me…” Again, each refusal deepens the consequence. The broad arc is pride, then broken national strength, then famine, then invasion, then desolation and finally scattering among the nations.

The 250th anniversary of America should be less a celebration of past greatness or coming greatness and instead be a more sober reminder that national blessings are taken away when a people turn away from God.

Proverbs 14:34 holds no punches: “Righteousness exalts a nation, But sin is a reproach to any people.” It doesn’t matter who people think they are in their own eyes. When their actions become so consistently unrighteous that the pattern itself becomes a verdict, there is a problem.

People today do not want to know what sin is. And when they do know, they still don’t want to fully obey God’s law in keeping the Ten Commandments. People speak constantly about defending freedom. Far fewer ask what freedom is actually for. Biblical freedom was never freedom from God. Rather, it is freedom to obey Him, which in the end gives true freedom from sin and the penalty of sin—death! 

Modern society has redefined freedom as the right to determine morality, to decide what is right and wrong, what marriage is, what life is worth, what Truth is, and ultimately who has authority over us. Yet, this is not a modern philosophy. It is the oldest Satanic lie in history: “You will be like God” (Genesis 3:5). 

Satan’s “promise” was never that mankind would become like God in character. The temptation was that mankind could replace God as the ultimate authority, determining good and evil on its own terms. That lie has driven every major rebellion against God, including the one staged by Korah, and it persists to the present day. Korah’s rebellion was just another expression of the same spirit. That spirit is alive today. It is celebrated as progress. It is praised as freedom. It is defended as personal autonomy. But Scripture plainly calls it rebellion.

The 250 men who stood with Korah believed they knew better than God. They rejected the authority He had established while convincing themselves they were pursuing justice and equality. Their rebellion became a warning, preserved for every generation. The ground opened and swallowed them.

America now celebrates 250 years of independence. Scripture reminds us about the 250 men who died. One celebration remembers the birth of a nation. The other remembers the destruction of men, and their families—of those who rejected God’s authority. One is marked with fireworks. The other was marked with fire from heaven.

The lesson is not merely that America has reached 250 years, but what America has become along the way. God is not impressed by military strength, economic prosperity, or patriotic celebrations. He is looking for people willing to humble themselves, repent, and obey Him.

Will America and the other modern descendants of Israel heed God’s warning before it is too late?

Our Bibles contain a wealth of information and are the only structure that can make a positive and lasting difference in our lives. In my Pentecost Offertory message, I referenced the Sermon on the Mount as presented by our Savior, Jesus Christ. It was a brief mention and I knew that I needed to delve far deeper into the Sermon and the intention that Jesus had in presenting this groundbreaking message. Jesus used roughly only 2300 words to deliver the lesson of a lifetime for His followers and ultimately the whole world.  

The Sermon on the Mount, covered in Matthew 5-7, comprises the most compelling and foundational teachings that we as true Christians can rely on as our life’s compass. Why is that? The Sermon is indeed foundational and builds on the structure established by God the Father when He, through Jesus Christ, directed Moses to accept and share the Ten Commandments. In Exodus 19:20 (New International Version throughout), we read: “The LORD [that is, Jesus Christ] descended to the top of Mount Sinai and called Moses to the top of the mountain. So Moses went up and the LORD said to him, ‘Go down and warn the people so they do not force their way through to see the LORD and many of them perish.” Then, in Chapter 20:1-17, God, in the Person of Jesus Christ, delivers the ten simple but vital commandments for His chosen people to adhere to. 

When Jesus ascended the Horns of Hattin, west of the Sea of Galilee, and roughly 1,000 feet above the Town of Capernaum where He had been building His ministry, He began by defining the qualities that characterize how true followers of Christ should conduct themselves. This portion of the Sermon is referred to as the Beatitudes. In Matthew 5:3-16, Jesus specifically established the standards such as being a peacemaker, being humble, thirsting for righteousness, and being merciful. He went on to clarify that His followers would never hide their faith from the world, but shine forth as a lamp, and as a brilliant and righteous city on a hill. Jesus taught the people assembled on that mountainside about the appropriate love one must have towards one another, as well as a moral underpinning that was lacking not just in the Roman government of the day, but also with the Pharisees and other Jewish leaders in power, whose focus on their own wealth and position was antithetical to God’s commandments. Jesus was also illustrating that obedience to God’s Law would be impossible without total reliance and obedience to God, and the intercession and sacrifice that only He could make.

However, having made His opening remarks, Jesus made an interesting point by establishing the connection between His teaching and that moment on Mt. Sinai when Moses received the Ten Commandments from Him. In Matthew 5:17, Jesus is quite clear: “Do not think I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.” Here, Jesus was reinforcing His connection with the Father and the Law. He was doing all that He was sent by the Father to do; He was illustrating that the Commandments of God are grounded in the purest sense of agape love. This is the unconditional love and care for another’s well-being, regardless of their backgrounds. This is difficult for us as human beings, and yet it is required that we work towards the perfection of Jesus and the Father as true Christians. Again, unless we rely on the Sacrifice of Jesus Christ and the mercy of the Father, this would not be possible for us.

In Matthew 5:9, we see Jesus specifically mentioning the importance of seeking peace in this world: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.” We cannot seek peace and pursue it if we are focused on and aiding the wars of this world. We must not be involved with the political and economic structures that directly and indirectly breed hatred, mistrust and fuel war. 

Jesus stood on that mountainside and without the trappings of power and authority, He established a new world order, and, just as He dealt with the money changers in the Temple, the so-called religious leaders of the day would learn that this Man of peace would not accept the hypocrisy of their world. Jesus’ disciples understood that this was a Man of peace and justice, but also the Messiah who would not compromise to get along in this world. 

Jesus taught selflessness, empathy, and humility, and He cautioned that even the mere thought of the actions that were prohibited by the Ten Commandments were equal in the eyes of God to the act itself. Murderous and adulterous thoughts, wickedness of mind and spirit, and taking no action to help when others are in need are indeed sinful. Therefore, obeying the Father could not be reduced to self-righteous adherence to rules, rituals, and regulations. Jesus Christ, on behalf of God the Father, gave the fleeing Israelites the Ten Commandments so His people could draw closer to Him. God the Father then sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to intercede on our behalf and bear our sins so that we can have a relationship with Him forever in the Kingdom.

Jesus showed that the spirit of the Law would now be equally important with adherence to the Law. This then established a new longitudinal and spiritual meridian extending from Mt. Sinai, to the mountain west of Galilee upon which Jesus presented His Sermon. The connection between the Old Testament books such as Exodus were brought right to that hillside, and Jesus came to fulfill the Law and the Prophets, just as He said in Matthew 5:17. 

Jesus also made clear the importance of establishing the daily need for prayer to the Father. Jesus intercedes with the Father on our behalf, and in Matthew 6:9-13, He established the Lord’s Prayer as an outline and as a way for us to connect with God the Father with sincerity, humility, and shows us the way to live our daily lives in a God-centered, rather than worldly manner.

Jesus also establishes what many of us learned from parents and grandparents as the Golden Rule. Simply stated: Do unto others as we would have done to us. He covered this perfectly in Matthew 7:12: “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.” Again, Jesus here reinforces His connection to the Laws of God, and therefore fulfills the words of the Prophets.

True Christians will recognize the Sermon on the Mount as the most consequential message, from the most significant Being that ever existed on this earth. Roughly 2300 words contained in 109 verses (NIV) and as Jesus said: “…it sums up the Law and the Prophets.”

The Sermon on the Mount was a direct gift and lesson from God through His Son, Jesus Christ. We must honor this gift by studying it and living by these lessons.

In Matthew 24, we read about the signs at the end of the age, and in verse 12 is a most interesting observation from Jesus Himself: “And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.”

This describes the spiritual and emotional decay of society as God’s Way is laughed to scorn, derided and dismissed as unnecessary by society in general. As evil and hostility increase, people become self-centred, callous, and unloving toward God and others.  And even, more importantly, this warning is directly aimed at the people of God as it says in the following verse: “But he who endures to the end shall be saved,” which is about true Christians, not the world.

Recently, I experienced a very unpleasant side of the society we live in which seems to be full of anger, and one of those areas we have to steer clear of unless it is righteous anger (see Ephesians 4:26, first part: “Be angry, and do not sin….”  But back to the story.  I was parked in a small local car park and heard a commotion behind me. It appears, for a reason I couldn’t ascertain, that a small old lady with a walking stick was using loud, foul, and abusive language of the worst variety at someone in the car parked next to her.   I reversed the car and drove out of that car park thinking how angry she was and what an example she made of herself.   She was very, very angry.

In May 2024, there was an article in the Huffington Post, headlined “It’s Not Just You – This Is Why Everyone Is So Much Angrier These Days.” A paragraph in this article was: “Why we’re all angrier than before,” and it quoted a Gallup Global Emotions Report that “anger around the world has been rising since 2016, with 23% of respondents now feeling angry on any given day.”   And, as we live in the world, this can rub off on us as Church members when we know that anger is a very powerful human emotion that is not inherently sinful, but can easily lead to destructive and damaging behaviour.

In May of 2026, in the UK, a report said that “Drunk and abusive air passengers would be banned from flying under proposals being drawn up by ministers, it can be revealed.  Officials are war-gaming the creation of a national ‘blacklist’ amid soaring ‘air rage’ attacks on plane crews and fellow holidaymakers.”

The British Association of Anger Management wrote that 80% of people believe that Britain is becoming angrier and this anger is spilling out into our professional lives, our daily commute and even our most intimate relationships. 45% of staff regularly lose their temper at work. This could be because of a demanding workload and increasing stress levels or it could be due to the fact that 53% of people have been the victims of bullying at work. Both bullying and increased stress levels have a detrimental effect on anger and the (usually unhealthy) way it is expressed. Not surprisingly, Britain is the top road rage country within the European Union with 80.4% of drivers claiming to have been involved in road rage incidents; another 1 in 4 drivers admit to committing an act of road rage.

Social media also comes in for criticism for encouraging anger.   I recently read that Twitter has often been called the angriest place on the internet!   And most people don’t seem to be happy with their governance, the cost of living and life in general.  That many are unhappy with their government is understandable, but if we are not careful, it can grow into uncontrolled anger.   And when anger is allowed to fester, it can lead to rage and murder!

It is a trait that will be seen increasing as we draw near the time of Jesus Christ’s return to this earth.  In fact, in Revelation 11:18, we read: “The nations were angry, and Your wrath has come, And the time of the dead, that they should be judged, And that You should reward Your servants the prophets and the saints, And those who fear Your name, small and great, And should destroy those who destroy the earth.”  Plus, Satan and his demons are at work because they know their time is short as we read in Revelation 12:12: “Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and you who dwell in them! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea! For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time.”

In James 1:19-20, we read an instructive piece which we had better implement for our own good: “So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath;for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.”

How many of us can truly put our hand up and say that we have never become aggressive and angry?  My hand is certainly not raised and I suspect strongly that any Church member reading this will find themselves in the same position.   However, in what is an increasingly angry society, we read in Proverbs 29:11 that “A fool vents all his feelings, But a wise man holds them back.”

In Ecclesiastes 7:9, we find further wisdom: “Do not hasten in your spirit to be angry, For anger rests in the bosom of fools.”

We should do everything we can to follow biblical advice so that we don’t become like the world. Rather, we must ensure that we will be in that soon-coming Kingdom of God.

The Holy Scriptures clearly and consistently show that God does not act independently of people; rather, He makes use of those whom He Himself calls. From the prophets of the Old Testament to the apostles of the New Testament, God had His Truth proclaimed through His servants.

This gives the Church an important and serious responsibility not only to respect the ministry but to actively support it—spiritually (through prayer), practically, materially, and with a sincere, grateful attitude, including direct words of encouragement and appreciation.

God is a God of order. In 1 Corinthians 14:33, we read that God is not a God of confusion, but of peace. He has established offices to teach, lead, and strengthen His Church.

In Ephesians 4:11-12, the Bible states:

“And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ…”

These callings do not come from people, but directly from God. Therefore, those who support the ministry are ultimately not supporting people, but the Work of God Himself and the proclamation of the Gospel. The ministry exists for the Church to lead it spiritually, to teach it, and to strengthen it. Where there is no spiritual leadership, by whom should the Church be led? As it is also written in Proverbs 11:14 (New Jerusalem Bible):

“For want of leadership a people perishes, safety lies in many advisers.”

This biblical passage clearly shows how important spiritual leadership and guidance are for God’s people.

God’s Work is not carried by human ideas, but by the obedience of those whom God calls and by the support of those who recognize this Work. The Church plays an active role in this.

In Hebrews 13:17, we are urged to acknowledge spiritual leadership and to cooperate with it, for the ministry watches over the souls of the believers: “Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.”

What a tremendous responsibility this entails!

Some ministers invest their time, their energy, and often their entire lives in the service of the Church. That is why it is of central importance to support the ministry in prayer. Paul writes in 1 Thessalonians 5:25: “Brethren, pray for us.” But this prayer should not be general or superficial. A particularly important expression of support is specific prayer for the ministry, especially in times of weakness and illness.

When ministers fall ill or are physically afflicted, it should be a matter of course for the Church to consciously pray for them before God. The ministry is often under special pressure—spiritually, physically, and emotionally. It is precisely then when they need the intercession of the Church.

The Bible calls on us: “Bear one another’s burdens…” (Galatians 6:2).

This also applies especially to those who perform a special service. When a minister is ill, it affects not only that person; it affects the entire Church.

When Mr. Armstrong was still alive, it was a matter of course to pray for him personally in opening or closing prayers, asking God to protect Mr. Armstrong, to inspire him, to give him strength, and to heal him, etc. Today, when a minister is seriously ill, he should be mentioned by name in the opening or closing prayer, thereby making it clear that the Church understands his work and role, which perhaps can only be carried out by him at this time. A general prayer “for the ministry” may not adequately convey the gravity of the situation for seriously ill or suffering ministers in such circumstances.

Through our prayer, we show that we understand: God’s Work depends not only on those who preach, but also on those who faithfully intercede for them. Such prayers bring strength, comfort, and often healing as well. They unite the Church and demonstrate genuine spiritual fellowship.

But support goes even further. The Bible makes it clear that material help is also part of it. In 1 Corinthians 9:14, we read:

“Even so the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should live from the gospel.”

This is not a human concept, but a spiritual principle. Those who support God’s Work are themselves blessed, whether through financial or practical help, or personal commitment.

One point that is often underestimated but of great spiritual significance is gratitude.

It should be a matter of course for every believer to consciously express thanks for the sermons and the work of the ministry. A sermon is not simply a lecture. It is spiritual nourishment that is prepared with prayer, study, and an awareness of responsibility before God.

When the ministry teaches, admonishes, and encourages week after week, it is right and necessary to acknowledge this.

A sincere thank you can make a big difference. It strengthens, it encourages, and it shows that the work is not taken for granted.

The Bible expressly calls for this attitude:

“And we urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord… and to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake” (1 Thessalonians 5:12-13).

Gratitude is an expression of respect and humility. It shows that we recognize that God works through His servants.

In this regard, one’s inner attitude is crucial. Support should not come from a sense of duty, but it must emanate from a sincere heart.

2 Corinthians 9:7 states: “…God loves a cheerful giver.”

Those who understand that they are part of God’s Work will support it with joy—in prayer, in service, and also in grateful acknowledgment.

At the same time, Scripture warns us against adopting a critical attitude that sows discord. Respect, humility, and a constructive attitude are crucial for the unity of the Church.

This does not mean that the ministry is infallible. But it does mean that we should approach it with a supportive and respectful attitude.

In summary, it is clear that supporting the ministry is an essential part of the Christian life. It includes prayer, especially during times of illness, practical help, material support, and sincere gratitude. For ultimately, it is not about people—it is about God’s Work.

God carries out His Work through people, but He works powerfully through those who are willing to support, give, pray, and to be grateful. The crucial question, therefore, is not whether God’s Work receives support, but whether we do our part faithfully, willingly, and with a grateful heart.

(Initial translation: Daniel Blasinger)

Everything in our life occurs in the present moment. Because of this, it can be a challenge to keep the events of life in context of the bigger picture.

In my family, our young boys’ lives are centered around play and snacks. Just about every decision, complaint, and desire of theirs focuses on satiating their hunger for fun and food in the moment. Our older sons, now grown young men, have matured beyond the self-indulgent appetites to have concerns focused on starting their journey into adulthood. As such, being interested in their well-being, my wife and I bring those concerns into our own lives. Their concerns become ours too. In addition to our investment in their upbringing, we have myriad other concerns that we have accumulated from our own grown-up responsibilities we’ve picked up along the way. Things like the Work of the Church, employment, physical health, home ownership and much more put demands on our time. I bring this up to illustrate the up-close micro details that consume our attention, bring us delight, stress us out, and consume the resources of our days. This is what our lives consist of in the moment: Getting to work on time, getting food on the table, coaching our children to shape their lives.

In an up-close view, the substance of concern in our lives becomes magnified by the demands of our daily activities. The molehills of concern are mountains in the moment. Even the most trivial kind of problem, such as a wrong turn on the way to an appointment is the most important thing in the moment. In the close-up view, our activities appear to be an accumulation of little things right in front of us.

To say this is not to diminish the importance of our immediate attention, physically, mentally, nor emotionally. The little things really are important! People must necessarily operate on the little things that are right in front of them. Our interface with the world is limited to that which we can directly affect. All we can do is work with the moment, material, and people which are immediately before us. A journey of a thousand miles requires taking one step after the other.

The Bible makes it clear that the little things matter in our lives and also explains why they matter. “He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much” (Luke 16:10). The way that we live in the moment reflects how we live in the larger context! In this passage in the Bible, Jesus Christ explains that the principles that govern our behavior apply both at small and large scales. We use the same source of faith for the small things as the large. Likewise, if we make justifications for sins because we consider them to be small and insignificant, we may be prone to make justifications for all other sins too. The little things matter because they are part of a mosaic in a much larger picture. 

The least of our actions takes place in the context of God’s plan for us. “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10). Our kindness to another in a passing moment is an expression of brotherly love that has the power to lift their heart, improve their day, and even change their life. The negative examples hold true as well. A hurtful word to another can damage trust in the span of a second and take years to repair. Therefore, our actions in the moment need to be considered in a much broader spectrum than our close-up view allows. God is working with us in our lives to help us learn and grow.

When considering the details of our lives in the moment, what should the scope of our perspective be? How far should we zoom out to properly see the setting of our momentary actions? It is no exaggeration to say that we need to view our moments in the context of the plan of God that He has for the entirety of creation. “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God” (Romans 8:18-19).

Knowing that everything we experience in the moment is part of God’s master plan ought to give us great comfort. Our struggle, joy, boredom, and excitement take place in the context of something big. We may get wrapped up in the magnified concern of the moment, but those things only matter in their purpose to help us to grow into the children that God is helping us to become.

In a world like this, which we all have to live in, we often find it hard to accept certain situations for what they are. Not everything can be understood, explained, or even changed. Many paths are rocky, many decisions are difficult, and some burdens must be carried for longer than one could ever have expected.

As the saying goes: There’s nothing in this world that comes easy. Everything that truly matters – trust, love, patience, maturity, or inner strength – usually arises from trials, disappointments, or experiences that shape us. Yet it is precisely in these moments that the depth of life reveals itself: that people do not grow only on good days, but often especially on the difficult ones.

Recently, I read something that really got me thinking. The words stirred something within me, as if a process had been set in motion deep within my thoughts – one that was necessary to bring about real change.

Sometimes you come across phrases or thoughts that don’t just touch you for a brief moment but continue to work within you. They put their finger on something that may have been slumbering within us for a long time. And that is precisely when this change begins – not on the outside, but first on the inside, in our thinking, our hearts, and our view of ourselves and how we live.

The phrase was: “Learn to accept the things you cannot change, have the courage to change the things you can change, and the wisdom to distinguish one from the other.”

This quote can touch upon one of humanity’s deepest inner struggles, perhaps prompting us to ask ourselves: “What should I make peace with, and what should I continue to fight for?”

Most people suffer not only when facing very serious problems, but often also when they try to control things that are beyond their power. Things like the past, other people’s behavior, injustice or illness, loss through death, or other unpleasant events. And that is precisely where discouragement, bitterness, anger, or despair can sometimes arise.

And that is exactly when we must say: “Do not give up but recognize your limits and do not waste your strength on things that God has not placed in your hands.” This is precisely what Jesus Christ spoke about, and the Bible generally has a great deal to say on the subject.

For example, in Matthew 6:25, 27, we read an appropriate statement by Jesus Christ: “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life… Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?”

In this way, Christ shows us that people often desperately try to grasp hold of things they cannot control at all. At the same time, the Bible also teaches us not to live passively.

God said in Joshua 1:9:

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”

And in Romans 12:21, Paul wrote: “…overcome evil with good.”

This means: Acceptance does not mean approving of everything. Humility is not weakness and letting go does not mean indifference. The difficulty lies in recognizing: When do I continue to fight out of love for the Truth, and when am I merely fighting out of disappointment, pride, anger, or a wounded ego?

The Bible strongly links this wisdom with humility. Solomon wrote in Proverbs 3:5:

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding…”

Humans often see only a small piece of the mosaic, while God sees the whole picture. And that is precisely why we should not seek our peace in wanting to control or determine everything, or in impatiently demanding something that is not our responsibility, but rather, in trusting completely that God will ultimately make everything right.

In Philippians 4:11-13, Paul wrote:

“Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

This is precisely what deep spiritual maturity looks like. Not every external situation should be allowed to influence and dictate our inner peace. Sometimes, of course, people cling to things—to friends and family, to times past, to recognition, to control, or to ideas about life—even though much of it has long since been broken and is even predestined.

Yet it is precisely this desperate clinging and controlling that can often cause even more harm.

Solomon describes something similar in Ecclesiastes 3:1 with the words: “To everything there is a season” – a time to build and to tear down, to gain and to lose, to hold on and to let go.

This is often difficult because people seek security. Yet spiritual maturity is often shown in the realization that we do not have to control or change everything to find peace.

And perhaps this is the hardest lesson of our lives: God wants us to learn to accept the fact that not every wound heals, not every question is answered, and not everyone acts justly – and that we must not let our hearts become discouraged or hardened because of it.

Initial translation: Daniel Blasinger

There are many different positions in the Church as there are many different positions in life. Are some more important than others, or is there more involved in this question? Some may think they do not have a large part to play, or that they are too weak, or too old, or even too new in the Church to have much significance in the operation of the Church, but they could be very wrong. 

Someone may think that because she is a woman, she is less important, but this can be far from the Truth. Consider that Eve was created to be a help to Adam (Genesis 2:18, 20; Authorized Version), and this could be considered a position of lower importance. However, we read Psalm 33:20, “Our soul waits for the LORD; He is our help and our shield.” The Hebrew for help is the same in both Genesis 2 and Psalm 33. So, when we consider that God is our help, being a help is highly significant, in no way to be looked down on. 

We can look at the example of Moses when he was assisting people who were inquiring of God. He was doing this all day from morning to evening. His father-in-law Jethro gave Moses sound advice which is described in Exodus 18:21-22, “Moreover you shall select from all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them to be rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens. And let them judge the people at all times. Then it will be that every great matter they shall bring to you, but every small matter they themselves shall judge. So it will be easier for you, for they will bear the burden with you.”

In order for Moses not to be worn out, he needed helpers, so he could concentrate on the more important or difficult things. This is certainly the case in the Church where a minister may not be competent in every physical area, or able to do everything by himself, and a helper is very important so that he can concentrate on preaching. At the beginning of the Worldwide Church of God, Mr. Herbert Armstrong only had his wife, Loma, as a helper, and the two of them did everything required, even addressing envelopes to post the literature they had printed. But as the Church grew, this became impossible; they needed many more helpers to assist in the Work, and God provided those helpers. Without these helpers, the Church could not have grown as it did.

One may think he or she is too old or too young to be of great service, but let us read James 5:16, “Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.” Age is not a limitation here. And although it reads as man in the New King James Version, we know that from 2 Corinthians 6:18 (“I will be a Father to you, And you shall be My sons and daughters, Says the LORD Almighty”), that the term man may also include woman. Many translations use person, or even believer in place of man in James 5:16. This concept is explained, in this context, in Galatians 3:28, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” So, the prayers of both men and women can be equally effective.

A newly baptized person can take heart in the parable in Matthew 20:9-15, where those who worked all day received the same reward as those who worked only one hour. The condition for effective prayer is only righteousness and fervency, not length of Church membership.

The apostle Paul sums up this issue in 1 Corinthians 12:13-22, “For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body – whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free – and have all been made to drink into one Spirit. For in fact the body is not one member but many. If the foot should say, ‘Because I am not a hand, I am not of the body,’ is it therefore not of the body? And if the ear should say, ‘Because I am not an eye, I am not of the body,’ is it therefore not of the body? If the whole body were an eye, where would be the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where would be the smelling? But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased, And if they were all one member, where would the body be? But now indeed there are many members, yet one body. And the eye cannot say to the hand, ‘I have no need of you’; nor again the head to the feet, ‘I have no need of you.’ No, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary.”

From this we see that every member has a part to play in the operation of the Church, and God has determined the appropriate position for each as He pleases. The position may change over time, depending on individual growth or necessity, or even old age, but every member is a necessary part of the body of Christ. All have a part to play, regardless of position.

What does God expect of us?

We have an individual responsibility to respond to God’s calling with expectation and faith, for He has called each of us for a reason: to fulfill the plan He has for us. To take it personally, we are responsible for ourselves and for our salvation, because we choose for ourselves whether we will obey God. Nobody else can determine that for us. We will all give an account for our actions. 

2 Corinthians 5:10 says that we will ALL appear before the judgment seat of Christ, “that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.” God is interested in each of us individually, in how we have lived our lives, and in whether or not we are counted worthy to be part of His Family. Does God count us worthy enough to be in His Family?

When we go before God in prayer, we must truly repent of our sins. We have to do this again and again because we constantly sin, and therefore, we must always examine ourselves and how we live our lives. If we forget to do that, it becomes easier to slip up while also forgetting to ask God for forgiveness. We must be strong-willed and have a clear, focused mind. We need to continue asking God for strength and for more of His Holy Spirit, just as David did over and over again.  

Sometimes it is difficult to keep out of someone else’s matters; especially, when it comes to our own spiritual salvation. There is nothing wrong with trying to help another person when he or she is slipping, but we must be careful that we do not slip ourselves. In Galatians 6:1-5, we read, “Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. For each one shall bear his own load.”

We need to concentrate on how WE are going to make it since each of us will give an account of ourselves to God (Romans 14:12).

The concept of personal responsibility is taught in the Bible. Ezekiel 18:20 says: “The soul who sins shall die. The son shall not bear the guilt of the father, nor the father bear the guilt of the son. The righteousness of the righteous shall be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself.” Isaiah 3:10-11 (NIV) also states: “Tell the righteous it will be well with them, for they will enjoy the fruit of their deeds. Woe to the wicked! Disaster is upon them! They will be paid back for what their hands have done.”

God clearly defined what is right and wrong from the beginning of the Bible with Adam and Eve, and He still expects His people to do what is right today. Everyone who has sinned along the way has been held responsible for his or her actions, just as we are responsible for ours. There were times when people tried to avoid personal responsibility by blaming others. Adam tried to blame Eve, Eve tried to blame Satan, and so on. We cannot fool God, and attempts to pass the blame to others when we ourselves have sinned will not work. We cannot hide our sins either: “But if you do not do so, then take note, you have sinned against the LORD; and be sure your sin will find you out” (Numbers 32:23).

When God specifically commands what we are to do, He expects us to obey. Those who choose to reject the Truth of God are without excuse, as Romans 1:20 (NIV) points out: “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.”  

We must do what we need to do and continue to fulfill our responsibility.

Following the news can be somewhat depressing when you read about what is happening in this world and our nations. The war is still going on in Ukraine, with bombs destroying residential buildings which have nothing to do with the war, and innocent men, women and children are killed who are also not involved in the war, but are victims of the senseless killing associated with war. The Iranian regime has killed over 20,000 of its people for protesting and wanting a better life. The Iran war is still dragging on, with no clear goal and no end in sight, and many innocent people have been killed in the process as well. The same can be said about Israel’s continuing war with Lebanon.

The brutality of how North Korea executes people with the use of hammers and other cruel methods, for as little as falling asleep during the leader’s speech, is appalling. A Senator questioned a pro-life activist and asked the woman which method of abortion she preferred, describing four barbaric and evil methods used by abortion clinics too gruesome to describe in this Editorial. It makes one sick to read about their methods of murdering the unborn. Every day you hear about shootings in some major cities where an innocent child was killed in the crossfire of gangs, and seniors are being pushed onto subway railway tracks. An innocent woman was stabbed to death on a subway train, minding her own business and just trying to get to her destination. There are no-go zones in some cities because of the danger of injury or death.

What is this world coming to?

Thankfully, one of the first things Christ will do at His return is to put an end to war by totally crushing the armies gathering around Jerusalem. The only language which this war-adoring world understands is overwhelming godly power. You can read the encouraging outcome in Isaiah 2:4: “He shall judge between the nations, And rebuke many people; They shall beat their swords into plowshares, And their spears into pruning hooks; Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, Neither shall they learn war anymore.”

Children will not be taught from their youth to hate people of other ethnic or national backgrounds they may feel superior to, including the Jews, the Muslims, the Americans, the Russians, the Germans, the Mexicans, the Japanese or the Chinese, just to name a few. They will turn their swords, battleships, tanks, war planes, and missiles into implements of peace. Nuclear bombs will be destroyed or perhaps neutralized, if possible, to put the metal to good use. Arms will be burnt.

In the book of Ezekiel, Far Eastern nations are described to invade the Promised Land shortly after Christ’s return. But Christ will make a swift end to that futile attempt. Ezekiel 39:9 states: “Then those who dwell in the cities of Israel will go out and set on fire and burn the weapons, both the shields and bucklers, the bows and arrows, the javelins and spears; and they will make fires with them for seven years.”

The bombed cities will be rebuilt. Isaiah 61:4 says: “And they shall rebuild the old ruins, They shall raise up the former desolations, And they shall repair the ruined cities, The desolations of many generations.”

Instead of devising ways to kill people, mankind will use their energies and talents to rebuild the ruins and supply everything needed in houses to be functional for the use of families.

Will the streets be safe? Zechariah 8:3-5 tells us: “Thus says the LORD: ‘I will return to Zion, And dwell in the midst of Jerusalem. Jerusalem shall be called the City of Truth, The Mountain of the LORD of hosts, The Holy Mountain.’ “Thus says the LORD of hosts: ‘Old men and old women shall again sit In the streets of Jerusalem, Each one with his staff in his hand Because of great age. The streets of the city Shall be full of boys and girls Playing in its streets.’”

Quite a contrast from what we see today.

You can understand why it mentions the creation “crying out” for better things to come, as described, figuratively, in Romans 8:19-23:

“For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption [better: sonship], the redemption of our body.”

The creation “groans” for better things, and so do we. We look forward to the return of Christ to put an end to this madness in this evil world ruled by Satan.

Let’s not forget our crucial part in this future process by fervently praying to the Most High God, “Your kingdom come!”—which cannot come soon enough for us and the whole world.

When Jesus was here on earth, He observed many who were forsaken and alone. His reaction in Matthew 9:36-38 was telling: “But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd. Then He said to His disciples, ‘The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.’”

The multitudes were weary, despaired, depressed, distressed, without hope, exhausted and harassed—also because of the lack of true and meaningful teachings from true shepherds. They were fatigued, resulting from being burdened. They were abandoned and neglected.

It is no different today. Most people are truly alone and under a terrible yoke which is wearing them down. But there is a way out of such predicaments. Christ told His disciples to ask the Father to provide laborers for a plentiful harvest—laborers who would teach and manifest the way of compassion, peace and rest. Christ came to find who was lost (Luke 19:10), and His disciples are to follow His example—to care for, tend and lead His sheep (John 21:15-17); and not to behave like unprofitable, uncaring shepherds (Ezekiel 34:4-5).

That way towards rest can only be found in Jesus. He told all of us in Matthew 11:28-30: “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

Christ told us to lay down the crushing yoke of sin, and receive His yoke instead. It reflects submission to His authority, His guidance and teachings, as well as partnership with Him—and to learn from His example of compassion, humility and gentleness. His yoke is easy and light because He carries its weight with us—we do not have to carry it alone.

Christ was not talking about heavy burdens which are hard to bear; especially those burdens inflicted on us by wrong teachers (Matthew 23:4). Rather, His commandments are light—not burdensome (1 John 5:3). This might perhaps not appear to be the case at first, as we are burdened by lifelong habits of sin. At the beginning, the road to life may be “difficult” (Matthew 7:14). But it will become more and more a “light” affliction in comparison with the “eternal weight of glory” to be revealed in us (2 Corinthians 4:17). Taking up our cross and following Jesus (Matthew 16:24) is so much easier than carrying our cross alone. The cross which we will have to carry is our separation from our sin and wrong priorities (Mark 10:21). The cross which we all carried in the past was our cross or heavy burden of our sinful conduct.

With Christ, our walk will be so much easier. Isaiah 41:13 tells us: “For I, the LORD your God, will hold your right hand, Saying to you, ‘Fear not, I will help you.’”

We walk hand in hand with God, as it were, in partnership and agreement, because two cannot walk together unless they are agreed (Amos 3:3). We walk or better LIVE with God. We follow Christ wherever He goes (Revelation 14:4).

If you have not found the true God in your life, but really want to live with Him and be freed from your burdens and fears, seek God with all your heart, as He tells you in Jeremiah 29:11-13: “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.”

When you really want to love God and seek Him diligently, seeking first His Kingdom and His righteousness, then you will find Him (Matthew 6:33; Proverbs 8:17). And He WILL give you rest for your souls.

For those of you who once knew the Truth, but slipped away and fell, lost interest, but still have the underlying and somewhat suppressed feeling that you ought to return to Him in order to be freed from your burdens and unhappy lives, sensing that you are missing out, it is not too late:

“Thus says the LORD: ‘Stand in the ways and see, And ask for the old paths, where the good way is, And walk in it; Then you will find rest for your souls…’” (Jeremiah 6:16).

Do this; return to God! And He WILL give you rest for your souls.