Pursue Holiness and Taste Heavenly Grace behind the Veil,

Testify Word and Manifest Light outside the Camp                                  

 

Thank God for leading us into the year of 2007. At the beginning of a new year, I wish brothers and sisters be strengthened in the spiritual journey, knowledgeable in God, beloved by Him, and with a joyful heart and healthy body.  

 

In 2006, our faithful God led us into the new church building on No. 5 Road. Not only we completed the physical construction, but also finished well without a deficit. God gave us many opportunities to bring the lost souls into His Kingdom through our evangelism and testimony. We could meet many of our goals of church ministries. May God our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ, the author of our faith, be glorified and praised!

 

¡§Pursue Holiness and Taste Heavenly Grace behind the Veil, Testify Word and Manifest Light outside the Camp¡¨ is a new spiritual direction and objective that we need to pursue this year. Saints living before God, act like the Priests of the Old Testament. They must be separated for the Holy purpose. To serve before the altar according to a designed system and time, they would offer sacrifices and prayers for themselves and others in the Holy Place. They could behold the glory and enjoy a sweet fellowship before the Throne of Mercy. They could draw strength of Life and happiness of His divine grace. As the author of the Book of Hebrews says: ¡¥Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh.¡¦ (Hebrews 10:19-20) We follow the Commander of the Church, entering into the veil, performing different functions of priesthood. Abiding in Jesus Christ, we offer daily prayer for ourselves and others. May the Holy God and Heavenly grace be our focus this year!

 

On the other hand, Saints living on earth should contact the outside world like the priests leaving the camp. Yet, we carry a unique identity and mission. Jesus says: ¡¥As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world.¡¦ (John15:19) Before He departed from His disciples, Jesus mentioned twice in His prayer: ¡¥for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world.¡¦ (John 17: 14, 16) The Church is separated by our Lord from this sinful world according to His divine purpose. We are a spiritual entity belonging to God. By the understanding of the Bible and the help of the Holy Spirit, we adopt a new worldview of life, of the core values, of God, and a new perspective to eternity. Christian worldview should be different from the people of this world. We perceive and act according to the Biblical principles. Outside the camp, we bear witness for God and shine for the truth of Jesus.

 

I hope our church will be exhorted by this new theme so that we may continue to pursue for His holiness and grace and to testify for God¡¦s Kingdom. Finally, I would like to share with you a hymn taken from the Hymnary 269.

 

Enter the veil and go without the camp, taste heaven¡¦s sweetness, thus the earth forsake;

If by the Holinest I am satisfied, how can I of earth¡¦s vanities partake?

 

Enter the veil for resurrection power, go out the camp to bear the cross and woe,

If I His radiant face in heaven see, His footsteps I will follow here below.

 

Enter the veil, on heaven¡¦s fatness feast, without the camp, in hardship persevere;

Though earthly trials sorely pain my heart, heaven¡¦s communion doth my spirit cheer.

 

By: Daniel To