We trust you that will be enriched by the
teaching, edified by the preaching, and encouraged by the fellowship throughout
the convention.
We
are certainly meeting at a momentous hour.
Global tension, national insecurity, economic uncertainties, moral decline,
and spiritual declension are the order of our day. Jesus told us of day when “there shall be…distress of nations with
perplexity…men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those
things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken…Then
shall they see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.” (Luke
21:25ff).
I
always expected that the world would be “distressed”
and have “hearts failing for fear,”
as the coming of Christ drew near. I
never expected that God’s people would be!
Certainly
there are inevitable consequences that we all will suffer as a result of this
world’s determined rebelliousness. But should “heart failure” be one of them? The Apostle John affirms, “God is love; and he that dwells in love dwells in God…Herein is our
love made perfect, that we may have boldness…there is no fear in love, but
perfect love casts out fear.” 1 John 4:16-18.
We
are convinced that as we sail uncharted waters into the last great storm of
human history, we as God’s people can and ought to be rejoicing evermore, praying without ceasing, and in everything giving
thanks!” John Wesley, that great proclaimer
of Scriptural holiness was certain that rejoicing, praying, and giving thanks,
was the inevitable fruit of the sanctified heart.
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