Dear brothers, It is great to be here. I have been looking forward to this. I only have a short 24 hour layover here. So tonight I have to fly back to Germany already. I actually wanted to bring my wife, but then I heard, that we have separate services for men and women. It didn't make sense to bring her all the way from Germany and then be separated. But sometime I will bring her, when we can be together in the church service or maybe for vacation. She will love you, too. (“As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.” (Proverbs 25:25)) The church in Germany is doing ok. In Berlin we are about 250 disciples. It is still challenging, though. Some people still leave our church, but others think about returning to us. Recently I met a friend who told me that they didn't want to become members of a different church because of the wrong teachings there. The people at the other church were very kind, but church is not only about people. It is about God, loving him and being Gods child by following Jesus, the first son of God. We did our repentance in Germany and now we are ready to move on. We printed invitation cards and had a great series of sermons on the last three Sundays. It was not as full as in the old times, but it was a start. The recent sermons in our midweek meetings were very encouraging for me. The preachers spoke about our convictions. A different treatment of sin doesn't mean, that we changed our convictions. Some things were wrong before and are still wrong. Before the church was too controlling. Now people have to build their own convictions and live by them. We try to spiritually grow up. Individuals are responsible for their own Christian walk now (Romans 14:12). The leaders are not responsible for your Christian walk. They are supposed to help, guide and encourage you on your way to be a adult child of God. (Ephesians 4:11-15) You have to give account for yourself to God (Romans 14:12). So lets pray: Dear God, thank you for all the brothers who are here and are willing to listen to your advice. You have so much love for us and so much wise counsel. Help us to be encouraged to read your word and help us to understand it and put it into practice. Thank you father that you let me see the love between people in churches all over the world. Your kingdom is really great and I feel at home everywhere. Please let the world see this love and become curious about you. Thank you for the Holy Spirit in us, who enables us to this love. May you be glorified in Jesus name, Amen.
Inhaltlich geändert : 18.05.2005 |