Prayerfully consider what the Lord tells us is a clear indication that we are growing in grace. Let us strive with all our hearts to “GROW THAT WE MAY KNOW”.  I thought it was interesting that, as a last resort, God will use heresy to awaken and sift His people and bring them to a greater knowledge of Himself. Truly His ways are past finding out.

Whenever the people of God are growing in grace, they will be constantly obtaining a clearer understanding of His word. They will discern new light and beauty in its sacred truths. This has been true in the history of the church in all ages, and thus it will continue to the end. But as real spiritual life declines, it has ever been the tendency to cease to advance in the knowledge of the truth. Men rest satisfied with the light already received from God’s word, and discourage any further investigation of the Scriptures. They become conservative, and seek to avoid discussion.

The fact that there is no controversy or agitation among God’s people, should not be regarded as conclusive evidence that they are holding fast to sound doctrine. There is reason to fear that they may not be clearly discriminating between truth and error. When no new questions are started by investigation of the Scriptures, when no difference of opinion arises which will set men to searching the Bible for themselves, to make sure that they have the truth, there will be many now, as in ancient times, who will hold to tradition, and worship they know not what.

I have been shown that many who profess to have a knowledge of present truth, know not what they believe. They do not understand the evidences of their faith. They have no just appreciation of the work for the present time. When the time of trial shall come, there are men now preaching to others, who will find, upon examining the positions they hold, that there are many things for which they can give no satisfactory reason. Until thus tested, they knew not their great ignorance.

And there are many in the church who take it for granted that they understand what they believe, but, until controversy arises, they do not know their own weakness. When separated from those of like faith, and compelled to stand singly and alone to explain their belief, they will be surprised to see how confused are their ideas of what they had accepted as truth. Certain it is that there has been among us a departure from the living God, and a turning to men, putting human wisdom in place of divine.

God will arouse His people; if other means fail, heresies will come in among them, which will sift them, separating the chaff from the wheat. The Lord calls upon all who believe His word to awake out of sleep. Precious light has come, appropriate for this time. It is Bible truth, showing the perils that are right upon us. This light should lead us to a diligent study of the Scriptures, and a most critical examination of the positions which we hold.    CW 38 – 40

Brethren,

I believe that God would have us begin 2010 entirely different than we have done things in the past. There is the distinct possibility that we are to give a greater prominence to the precious truths contained in the books of Daniel and Revelation. The gospel, the truth as it is in Jesus, must be presented as a WHOLE. This would entail not only the presentation of how we must be prepared to meet Him, but also a clear and distinct knowledge of where we are as God’s people in the prophetic line of the last days which would also serve as a faith builder as we see the prophecies outlined coming to past. God would call upon us as His chosen instruments to obtain from the Holy Spirit the ability to obtain the balance as well as the skill and understanding to intertwine an understanding of the prophetic events outlined in Daniel and Revelation with a clearer insight into how we as Christians are to surrender completely to God so that He can manifest Himself to the world through us. The counsel admonishes us that we are not to present strong meat to those who do not understand the first principles and by God’s grace as we strive to make 2010 a year of greater evangelistic efforts on our part we shall keep this injunction in mind – but brethren, OUR PEOPLE, those within our congregations, it is HIGH TIME that they be brought up to speed. Some will not be willing to quicken their pace and unfortunately may be left behind, but as those whom God is holding responsible, we must take them higher. What is the formula? Teach it to them and then compel them through love to teach it to others. This is the ONLY way that we as churches can grow in grace. In order for us to teach it to them, we must know it ourselves. As you read the attachment I will be interested in your perspective. Be Blessed

Brother Sharpe

Blessing to all this is the first post for PFORC.

We will be posting upcoming events, articles and studies as we gather information.

“Give ear, O ye heavens, and I will speak; and hear, O earth, the words of my mouth. My doctrine shall drop as the rain, my speech shall distil as the dew, as the small rain upon the tender herb, and as the showers upon the grass: Because I will publish the name of the Lord: ascribe ye greatness unto our God.” Deuteronomy 32:1-3 KJV