Prayer, Week of February 16
Having the New Man in a Practical Way
"And let the peace of Christ arbitrate in your hearts, to which also you were called in one Body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to God." (Col. 3:15-16)
In the new man there is room only for Christ; He is all the members of the new man and in all the members; He is everything in the new man. If we would live Christ as the constituent of the new man, we need to be ruled by the peace of Christ (vv. 12-15) and inhabited by the word of Christ (vv. 16-17). Through the arbitration of the peace of Christ, our problems are solved, and the friction between the saints disappears; then the church life is preserved in sweetness, and the new man is maintained in a practical way. By allowing the word of God to inhabit us, we can become a proper human being, a God-man filled with Christ as the reality of the attributes of God.
If we allow the peace of Christ to arbitrate in us and if we are filled with the word of Christ, we shall have the new man in a practical way; all the saints in all the churches throughout the Lord's recovery will be living Christ in the one new man. (Knowing and Experiencing the All-inclusive, Extensive Christ, msg. 6, II.A, C, 1.c.(1), 2.c, 3)
Memorial Day Conference
The 2020 International Memorial Day Conference will be May 22 to 25 in Atlanta, GA. Conference and hotel information is at https://churchinlosangeles.org/prayer. Saints are encouraged to make their hotel reservations as soon as possible if they do plan to attend, and to only reserve the number of rooms at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis that they intend to use, because cancelled rooms will no longer be available to others at the discounted group rate.
For saints from LA and Santa Clarita who plan to attend, please RSVP at http://tinyurl.com/memdayla by April 28. Children need to be registered in advance.
Please pray that the Lord will take more crucial steps in the advancement of His purpose during this gathering. Also pray that many would be released and empowered to attend.
FTTA
The FTTA spring term begins this week. Ask the Lord to richly supply each trainee and to speak specifically within each one for their growth into Him. From LA we have three new trainees.
GTCA
As the sowing trips to the GTCA cities concluded last week, there is the need to persevere in prayer for the saints following up with all those contacted over the past few weeks. Pray that they would be bountifully supplied by the Spirit of Jesus Christ to carry out this long-term labor. Please also pray for at least 300 saints (including 30 full-timers) to migrate to the 10 target cities in the US.
In addition, last week the co-workers in North America coordinating for GTCA released a new letter calling on all the dear saints to rise up with a fresh burden to intercede in prayer for His move in this country. The co-workers outlined three directions of prayer that are much needed at this time: first, to persistently remind the Lord of His will as the watchmen in Isaiah 62:6-7; second, to intercede for the people and leaders in the United States; and third, to beseech the Lord to thrust out laborers into the ripened harvest of middle America.
In order to arrive at a strong testimony throughout this country, especially in the so-called "Bible Belt," and for the needed migration to the strategic GTCA cities, we must first and foremost pray. As Watchman Nee said, "Why do we work so much, and pray so little, when we can accomplish much more by prayer than by our work?" The basis for the Lord to accomplish His present move is through the persevering prayers of the saints in one accord (Acts 1:14).
To read this letter and the latest reports from the sowing trips, please visit http://GTCA.us.
Hamburg, Germany
The first Lord's table meeting in Hamburg will take place February 23. This will be the first table meeting in Hamburg since the ground was lost in the 1980s. The burden to recover the Lord's table has been in the saints' hearts for many years, and this past year, the Lord has moved quickly to strengthen the local testimony through the migrating saints and the recovery of local saints. This meeting and the subsequent lunch will be a time of rejoicing and blending of many saints in or near Germany. Thank the Lord for His spread in Germany!
Angola
Angola is a Portuguese-speaking country with over 25 million people located on the west coast of Southern Africa. At present, there are over 350 saints meeting on the ground of oneness in various localities, including Uige and the capital city, Luanda. In recent years, the saints in Angola have benefitted much from increased contact with the churches in South Africa and each year some saints attend the conferences for Southern Africa held in Pretoria.
Last month, there was a two-week perfecting training for Portuguese-speaking saints hosted by FTT Pretoria. It was another step for the Lord's move in Angola: 17 saints from Angola attended, and the goal was to perfect them so that they could perfect others. Trainees came from Angola, Mozambique, São Tomé, and South Africa. It was a marvelous blending!
Please pray for the perfecting work started in that time to continue during the upcoming bi-annual blending conference in Angola from February 22 to 23. Pray for the safe travel of the saints and the Lord's timely word to be released. Pray also for more up-to-date ministry materials to get into the saints' hands, and for the Lord to send out visitation teams to more cities to preach the gospel of the kingdom.
India
Pray for the new term of FTT New Delhi, that the Lord will strengthen the 10 new trainees beginning first term. Pray also for all the continuing trainees to be perfected and to advance further in truth, life, service and character in order to be useful to the Master.
Prayer for the Current Situation
Please continue to be strong in spirit and take up the whole armor of God to pray for the current situation with regard to the coronavirus outbreak. We need to take up the corporate priesthood to stop the pestilence by prayer. At the same time, while the black horse of pestilence is running rampant, we need to pray to release the white horse to first conquer people's hearts and bring them to salvation.
Pray for all the saints to be covered and those afflicted to be preserved. Pray particularly for the saints in China to seize this opportunity to preach the good news of the gospel to their friends and relatives. May the Lord gain the victory, His enemies be put to shame, the church be built up, and God be glorified!
Announcements
- Morning Revival: Knowing and Experiencing the All-inclusive, Extensive Christ, week 6.
Next week we will begin Crystallization-study of Deuteronomy.
- High School Conferences at Oak Glen: for sisters, March 13 to 15 (registration due March 1); for brothers, March 20 to 22 (registration due March 8).
- http://LSMchristianradio.com broadcasts hymns and messages of the ministry 24 hours each day.
Prayer, Week of February 2
Realizing and Loving Christ as the Reality of All Positive Things
"Let no one therefore judge you in eating and in drinking or in respect of a feast or of a new moon or of the Sabbath, which are a shadow of the things to come, but the body is of Christ." (Col. 2:16-17)
The reality of all that we need is Christ. We need food, drink, and the feasts. A new moon indicates a new start, and the Sabbath is for rest. However, all these are simply a shadow; they are not the real things. Christ Himself is the reality of all these things.
[May we all] learn to realize Him and love Him. Simply love Him, and do not seek anything else. Everything else is merely a shadow. Of course, while we are still on this earth, we need many things. However, we must use these things in the way of realizing Christ as our reality. The only portion that God gives to us is this wonderful Christ. We must learn to know Him, to live Him, to take Him, to experience Him, and to realize Him. (CWWL, 1964, vol. 2, "A General Sketch of the New Testament in the Light of Christ and the Church, Part 2—Romans through Philemon," pp. 331-333)
GTCA—Gospelize, Truthize, Churchize America
GTCA activities involving FTTA gospel trips continue this week and conclude in the coming weekend in at least 21 North American cities and in Ethiopia. Reports with photos are at http://www.gtca.us. Please pray:
- for those participating in this time of sowing, that they would be energized to spread God's word in a coordinated and living way, and that they would be empowered in the Lord and in the might of His strength as they speak the gospel of the kingdom to the spiritually needy people they meet.
- for the BfA packages that were distributed to be read by seeking ones with an open heart.
- for continuing contact with people who received the Lord or a Bible or other literature.
- for those invited to events this week to be released from everything to attend.
- for the encouragement and continued participation of all the local saints in the gospel activities.
- for many people in each city to be gradually brought into the church life.
International Chinese-speaking Conference CANCELED
After much and thorough fellowship among the co-workers, the decision has been made to cancel the International Chinese-speaking Conference this year. We realize that it is not a small thing to cancel one of the seven feasts and that many saints may have already purchased plane tickets to attend the conference. However, in light of the current outbreak of the coronavirus in China and its spread to other parts of the world, we feel it would be irresponsible on the part of the Living Stream Ministry to expose the saints to the risk of contracting this highly contagious and deadly virus. Please accept our apologies for any hardship this may cause you. (http://www.lsm.org)
Asia
Please pray for the saints to be covered and preserved from any sickness. At the same time, pray for the white horse to run. In this period of hardship and uncertainty, may the gospel of the kingdom be preached like never before!
United Kingdom
As of January 31, the UK has formally left the European Union. However, during a transition period due to last until December 31, the UK effectively will remain in the EU's customs union and single market while negotiating a trade deal with the EU.
Please continue to pray that the Lord will arrange all things for His interests and for the advancement of His move and for a resolution that will not hinder blending among the churches, visitation by the co-workers, or participation in trainings and conferences in the UK and Europe.
Announcements
- Morning Revival: Knowing and Experiencing the All-inclusive, Extensive Christ, week 4.
- http://LSMchristianradio.com broadcasts hymns and messages of the ministry 24 hours each day.
Prayer, Week of January 19
Rooted in the All-inclusive Christ and Made Full in Him
"Giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you for a share of the allotted portion of the saints in the light." (Col. 1:12)
"As therefore you have received the Christ, Jesus the Lord, walk in Him, having been rooted and being built up in Him, and being established in the faith...abounding in thanksgiving." (Col. 2:6-7)
The purpose of God's calling is to bring God's chosen people into the enjoyment of the all-inclusive, extensive Christ, typified by the good land flowing with milk and honey.
We can walk in Christ as our living land and absorb Christ as our rich soil...so that we may grow with the elements that we absorb from the soil. When we are rooted in Christ as the soil, we are made full in Him; we are filled up with all the divine riches to become His expression. In Christ as the soil we are filled, completed, perfected, satisfied, and thoroughly supplied; we do not lack anything.
If we would absorb the riches of Christ as the soil, we need to have tender, new roots. We need to forget our situation, our condition, our failures, and our weaknesses and simply take time to absorb the Lord; as we take time to absorb Him, we grow with the growth of God in us for the building up of the Body of Christ. (Knowing and Experiencing the All-inclusive, Extensive Christ, msg. 2, II, III, A.1.b-c, B.1-2)
May the Lord grant us fresh, new roots that we would absorb the riches of Christ and become His full expression!
Households Loving, Pursuing, and Serving the Lord
Joshua, near the end of his life said, "As for me and my house, we will serve Jehovah." (Josh. 24:15)
"Now there was in Caesarea a certain man named Cornelius…devout and one who feared God with all his household" (Acts 10:1-2)
Let us beseech the Lord to bring our whole households to loving Him, pursuing Him, and serving Him. Through us may He care for our children, young people, and young adults in ways best suited to each age, and erase any separation between home life and church life.
GTCA
Teams from FTTA will join local saints at the end of this week for 15-18 day long GTCA activities in 21 cities in North America; activities in two other cities began last week. This week a team will also go to Ethiopia and the team in Switzerland will return. Ask the Lord to use these trips to:
- strengthen all the local saints and churches receiving and coordinating with the trainees;
- encourage the trainees with a rich view and experience of church life outside the training center;
- bless the distribution of NTs, gospel tracts, and other literature;
- bring people to initial salvation and baptism;
- bring seeking believers into homes these weeks and into long-term fellowship with the churches.
Nordic-Baltic Blending Conference
The Nordic countries include Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden. The Baltic states include Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. All of the countries, except for Iceland, have lampstands, including in the capital cities. The churches in this region have two blending conferences each year for all the saints to gather to enjoy the ministry. The next such conference will be held this weekend, January 24 to 26, in Tallinn, Estonia.
Vietnam
Pray for the literature work to translate 800 hymns and prepare to translate the Old Testament.
Announcements
- Morning Revival: Knowing and Experiencing the All-inclusive, Extensive Christ, week 2.
- The International Chinese-speaking Conference is February 14 to 16 in Anaheim. Information is at http://www.2020icsc.org and at https://churchinlosangeles.org/prayer. All saints are welcome, and there will be translation via FM radio. Advanced registration by January 31 is required only for childcare, and for special Saturday fellowship sessions (one for Chinese-speaking saints presently in school, and one for Chinese-speaking working saints).
- GTCA—Gospelize, Truthize, Churchize America: a fresh expression of this burden is presented at http://www.gtca.us. We encourage all to read the home page, where you may sign up for GTCA email updates.
Prayer, Week of January 5
Sending Our Treasure and Our Heart to Heaven
"For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." (Matt. 6:21)
"For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father…that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit into the inner man, that Christ may make His home in your hearts through faith, that you, being rooted and grounded in love." (Eph. 3:14-17)
"But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness." (Matt. 6:33)
The kingdom people must send their treasure to heaven so that their heart also can be in heaven. (Matt. 6:21, footnote 1)
Money is a material thing that belongs to the earth. Yet the Bible puts God and mammon together. This proves that man's heart is either touched by God or by money. God's test of a man's heart toward Him is in the way of man's giving. (CWWN, vol. 43, pp. 726-727)
In this new year may the Lord make more home in our hearts than ever before. May He gain us as those who seek first His kingdom and His righteousness for the Father's glory and the enemy's shame.
Middle-Age FTTA
The FTTA-MA is a one-year program with two 15-week terms. This coming term will begin on March 9 and conclude on June 20. Saints may attend the training on a short-term basis with a minimum period of one week.
The classes are given in English, Chinese, Korean, and Spanish. We hope that many saints in the Lord's recovery will seize this opportunity to be perfected. All applications must be received no later than February 18. If you are interested, please fellowship with the leading brothers in your hall. Testimonies, detailed information, and application forms are at http://www.fttamidage.org.
May the Lord release some from LA for this training. May the Lord also release many from the heartland of America in preparation for strengthening and raising us churches this year.
BFA Distribution in San Fernando Valley
Saints in hall 2 will distribute English and Spanish Bibles at a Walmart January 11 to 12 and 18 to 19. Please pray:
- for many saints to participate in this endeavor including some young ones;
- to bind any distractions or opposing people that will prevent Bibles for being distributed;
- that every Bible will get into the right hands so that God's word can multiply;
- for positive experiences and for the spirit of the gospel to be stirred up in all the saints participating;
- for some recipients to enter continuing fellowship with us.
Bible Distribution at the Winter Youth Olympic Games
Approximately 1900 young people from 70 countries will participate in the third Winter Youth Olympic Games in Lausanne, Switzerland from January 9 to 22. Thousands of visitors will also be present. The churches in Switzerland with saints from other nations and some FTTA trainees will distribute NTs in three languages the weekend of January 11 to 12. Please pray for:
- many local saints and saints from nearby countries to help distribute NTs;
- NTs to be received by many seeking young people;
- the Lord to use this event to open up the whole country for the gospel;
- a sweet coordination among the churches, good weather, and the Lord's rich blessing.
Stuttgart, Germany
Please pray for an adequate meeting hall for the church in Stuttgart in the best location, at an affordable price, and readily accessible to public transportation. (Their current rented meeting place will become unavailable due to a change in management.)
Turkey
Please pray for the perfecting and functioning of the Turkish-speaking saints in Istanbul. They will begin to have their own meeting once a month with the goal of forming a new district, in addition to English- and Chinese-speaking districts, later this year.
Announcements
- Morning Revival: Material Offerings and the Lord's Move, week 2.
Next week, begin Knowing and Experiencing the All-inclusive, Extensive Christ (Thanksgiving Conference). Keep your copy of Material Offerings; we will use it again.
- New website: http://www.lsmchristianradio.com broadcasts Life-study messages 24 hours each day.
- New website: The co-workers in North America have launched http://shepherdingwords.com to address misinformation about the Lord's recovery and certain critical issues facing the recovery.
- The Southern California Spanish Speaking Conference and the Southern California Young People's Blending Conference will both be Friday night, January 17 to LD noon, January 19 in Anaheim. Information in English is at https://churchinlosangeles.org/prayer y en Español en http://www.socalspanish.org. All YP must be registered in advance at http://tinyurl.com/2020YPblending.
Prayer, Week of December 22
December Semiannual Training
The December Semiannual Training is taking place this week in Anaheim and by webcast throughout Los Angeles. It is on the book of Deuteronomy, which unveils Christ as the Instructor and Leader of the people of God that they may be able to enter into the heavenly territory and participate in His riches. Please pray that the Lord would advance in His recovery by instructing and leading all the saints, infusing them with His up-to-date burden.
2020 GTCA Sowing Trips
In January and February 2020, sowing trips will take place in 12 cities throughout the United States and Canada as part of the ongoing burden to gospelize, truthize, and churchize North America. The cities selected for this year are aligned with the burden for the spread and increase of the recovery in middle America.
Trainees from the Full-Time Training in Anaheim will join local and visiting saints in giving away Bibles, ministry books, gospel tracts, and brochures. The 2020 GTCA cities include:
- Midwest: Cincinnati, OH; Lexington, KY; Minneapolis, MN; St Louis, MO
- Southeast: Charlotte, NC; Columbia, SC; Memphis, TN; Orlando, FL
- Mid-Atlantic: Pittsburgh, PA; Richmond, VA
- Canada: Airdrie, AB; London/Guelph, ON
Please pray for the coordination and preparation for the gospel trips and for all those participating in this special time of sowing. Pray also for the Spirit to sweep in the hearts of the people in every city to make them open to receive the ministry of the age.
European Winter School of Truth
From December 26 to 31, the Winter School of Truth will take place simultaneously in the UK, Netherlands, and Spain. Please pray that the Lord will gain this generation of young people in Europe for His testimony.
Germany – Report from Arabic Speakers Conference
We thank the Lord for His blessing on December 6 to 8, when saints from several countries, including Germany, Israel, Estonia, the US, and Ireland, all gathered with about 30 Arabic-speaking friends from various locations in Germany. We enjoyed messages on "Our Vision: Christ and the Church."
One sister was baptized, and many testified that they had never heard such things. We were impressed with the genuine seeking among the people. Please pray that the word released would take root in our friends, and for their continued shepherding. Pray also for their contact and speaking with others, not only in Germany but in their home countries. Pray for the development of materials for their continued feeding and for the raising up of workers to assist in this labor.
Continuing Grace for Financial Needs
In the context of material giving, 2 Corinthians 9:8 says "God is able to make all grace abound unto you, that, in everything always having all sufficiency, you may abound unto every good work." May we each open to the Lord to grace us for one or more of these on-going needs.
- Church in Los Angeles (general fund): for all people, activities, and properties supported by the church.
- Oak Glen: for improvements to the property, including 1) replacing the old trailers with new cabins, 2) building new dining and meeting room facilities, and 3) a sports field with activities for all ages.
- Bibles for America: for distribution of NTs and ministry publications.
- Lord's Move to Europe: for support of full-timers and trainees, distribution of NTs, the UK building projects, radio broadcasts, and other needs.
- Lord's Move to Africa: for support of full-timers and trainees, rent and purchase of properties, and other needs.
Announcements
-
Morning Revival: Training verses or repeat Week 24 of Crystallization-Study of Numbers, Vol. 4.
Monday, December 30: begin Material Offerings and the Lord's Move, week 1.
Monday, January 6: begin Material Offerings and the Lord's Move, week 2.
Monday, January 13: begin Knowing and Experiencing the All-inclusive, Extensive Christ, week 1 (Thanksgiving Conference). - New website: The co-workers in North America have launched http://shepherdingwords.com to address misinformation about the Lord's recovery and certain critical issues facing the recovery.
- The Southern California Spanish Speaking Conference and the Southern California Young People's Blending Conference will both be Friday night, January 17 to LD noon, January 19 in Anaheim. Information in English is at https://churchinlosangeles.org/prayer y en Español en http://www.socalspanish.org.
- Spanish language radio broadcast: Monday through Friday, 9:00 to 9:30 pm. LA County 100.3 FM; San Fernando Valley and Ventura County 90.3 FM.
Prayer, Week of December 8
The Divine View of God's People
"Here is a people who live alone and do not reckon themselves among the nations." (Num. 23:9b)
"He has not beheld iniquity in Jacob, nor has He seen trouble in Israel." (Num. 23:21a)
"That He might present the church to Himself glorious, not having spot or wrinkle or any such things, but that she would be holy and without blemish." (Eph. 5:27)
We need to see the vision of the All-sufficient One and have a divine view of God's people. In themselves God's people have many defects. In God's redemption and in Christ they have no defects. When God looks at His people, He does not see them according to what they are in themselves but according to what they are in Christ.
We need to have a vision concerning the church and see that the church is "Christly," "resurrectionly," and heavenly. The church has been resurrected with Christ, and now the church is in ascension, in the heavenlies, with Christ. We need to view the church in a heavenly way and realize that all the local churches are parts of the coming New Jerusalem. (Crystallization-Study of Numbers, msg. 23, III., D.2.a-3., IV., A.2., V.B.2.)
May the Lord grant us a governing vision to see His people as He sees them and to have our church life according to this vision. Praise the Lord for the church!
Children and Young People Parents and Service Fellowship
This fellowship will be Lord's Day, December 15 in Halls 1, 3, 4, 5; Lord's Day, December 22 in Hall 2. The specific time will be announced in each district. Those presently serving, those wishing to serve, and parents of our children and young people (CYP) are all encouraged to attend. Please pray for full participation and for uplifting of our service to gain our children and young people for the Lord's move.
The church's new Policy for the Protection of Children and Young People, a part of this fellowship, may be viewed at https://churchinlosangeles.org/policy.
Bibles for America
Since August, BfA has been sending free copies of The All-inclusive Christ to people throughout the country. To date, over 5,500 copies have been shipped. Please pray that thousands more would see our ads and order their own copy of The All-inclusive Christ.
Please also pray that each person who receives this rich ministry book would be unveiled to see, experience, and live out the all-inclusive and extensive Christ.
Middle-age Training Graduation
The FTTA-MA graduation is Saturday, December 14 at 1853 Ball Road in Anaheim. Twenty-six trainees will graduate. Ask the Lord to keep them in an inward attitude of training, cooperating with Him as their life-long Trainer—"work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who operates in you both the willing and the working for His good pleasure" (Phil. 2:12b-13). Also ask the Lord to guide them in their church life and service after the training.
Iberian Peninsula Conference
The Iberian Peninsula Conference will be held this year on December 13 to 15 in Torremolinos, Málaga, Spain. May the Lord abundantly bless this time for His move in the Iberian Peninsula!
United Kingdom – General Election
A general election for all 650 members of Parliament is scheduled for December 12. Due to political turmoil in the UK, this is the third general election in four years. May the Lord's sovereign will be done in this election and in the ongoing Brexit process. Lord, arrange all things for Your interests, for bringing many to salvation, and for the advancement of Your move in the UK and in Europe!
Hong Kong
"Praying at every time in spirit and watching unto this in all perseverance and petition concerning all the saints." (Eph. 6:18)
"Pray in every place, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and reasoning." (1 Tim. 2:8)
In the past half year, the protest activities in Hong Kong have become increasingly intensified, conflicts are heating up, and violence is escalating. Everyday operations in the society and people's livelihood are seriously affected. This is not what the general public, nor the church, wishes to see.
Please pray for the saints: may there be no murmurings, no wrath, no reasoning, but more prayer. Also pray for the rulers: may the Lord grant them the wisdom to handle the current disputes most appropriately so that "we may lead a quiet and tranquil life in all godliness and gravity" (1 Tim. 2:2).
Lord's Move to Asia
The November newsletter has a report from a conference attended by almost 400 saints and a report about free literature distribution in Asia, with emphasis on India.
http://lmasia.org/temp/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/E-2019-11.pdf (English)
http://lmasia.org/temp/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Asia-2019-11.pdf (Chinese)
Announcements
- Morning Revival: Week 23 of Crystallization-Study of Numbers, vol. 4.
After the semiannual training we will use Material Offerings and the Lord's Move for two weeks, then the Thanksgiving Conference.
- December Semiannual Training (December 23 to 28) will be on Deuteronomy. Those who would like to prepare themselves are encouraged to read the verses, footnotes, and Life-Study messages.
- New website: The co-workers in North America have launched http://shepherdingwords.com, a new website to address misinformation about the Lord's recovery and certain critical issues facing the recovery.
- The Southern California Spanish Speaking Conference and the Southern California Young People's Blending Conference will both be Friday night, January 17 to LD noon, January 19 in Anaheim. Information in English is here; y en Español en http://www.socalspanish.org.
- Audio of the October 20 Joint LA Meeting is available in English at http://tinyurl.com/godlyfamily.
Prayer, Week of November 24
Becoming Living Stars Who Watch for the Lord's Coming
"And we have the prophetic word made more firm, to which you do well to give heed as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts." (2 Peter 1:19)
Numbers 24:17 says, "There shall come forth a Star out of Jacob"; this Star refers to Christ. The fulfillment of this type of Christ is found in the word of the magi, learned men from the east, recorded in Matthew 2:2: "Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star at its rising and have come to worship Him." When Christ came the first time, He appeared openly as a star, but when He comes the second time, He will be the morning star to His overcomers, who watch for His coming; to all others Christ will later appear as the sun.
Christ's faithful followers are shining and living stars, those who follow Christ as the shining and living Star to be His duplication. The living stars give heed to the prophetic word of the Scriptures "as to a lamp shining in a dark place" so that Christ as the morning star rises in their hearts day by day. If we give heed to the word in the Bible, which shines as a lamp in a dark place, we will have His rising in our hearts before His actual appearing as the morning star. He will secretly give Himself as the morning star to those who love Him and who watch and wait for Him so that they may taste the freshness of His presence at His coming back after a long absence. (CS Numbers, msg. 22, I, A, 6; II, C, 2)
Thanksgiving Conference
This weekend, November 28 to December 1, saints from all over the world will gather in Houston, Texas for the International Thanksgiving Conference. Around 25 saints from Los Angeles are planning to participate. Please pray that the Lord will take more crucial steps for the advancement of His purpose.
Many localities, including Los Angeles, will partake of this time via webcast. Pray that many will give their time to attend these webcasts and to speak with one another after the meetings. Lord, prepare us all to feast with You for Your joy and for our enjoyment with You and with one another!
Semiannual Video Training in Los Angeles
To be trained is to have the rich supply of Christ ministered to us that we may grow, and it is to be equipped that we may be skillful in speaking, in contacting new ones, and in shepherding and in preaching and teaching. (Life-Study of Ephesians, ch. 41)
This winter's Semiannual Training (December 23 to 28) will be the Crystallization-study of Deuteronomy. For those not attending the live sessions in Anaheim, the church in Los Angeles has arranged video trainings in multiple locations.
The deadline to register at http://tinyurl.com/wintertrainingla and submit payment ($105) is December 3. This is a firm deadline. For more information, fellowship with the registration coordinator in your district.
Please ask the Lord to increase our number participating in His up-to-date speaking to the churches in this video training. Ask Him to stir our hearts to pursue Him actively: "For it is God who operates in you both the willing and the working for His good pleasure" (Phil. 2:13).
LA Children and Young People Fellowship
Lord's Day, November 24, was a fellowship time with all the saints in LA who serve with children and young people. In December, district-level fellowship will take place in each hall, to which all parents and new serving ones are invited: December 15 for Halls 1, 3, 4, 5 and December 22 for Hall 2.
Please pray for all the parents to be released to participate in these times of fellowship. Pray also for the Lord to uplift our care for our children and young people, in family life, in personal shepherding, and in meetings, so that many godly families can be firmly established.
Hong Kong
The events in recent weeks, in particular the conflicts on the university campuses, have directly affected our propagation on the campuses and damaged the Lord's interest in Hong Kong. The campuses were ruined, classes were suspended, and non-local students had to evacuate Hong Kong. The serving ones and trainees for the campuses were unable to enter the campuses to contact people, and the propagation of the gospel is thus interrupted. All these are the work of the enemy.
Please pray that the gospel propagation on campuses would continue to have an open door without hindrance, and that the young people would receive the gospel of God's economy as the meaning and goal of their life (Acts 28:31; Rev. 3:8; Eph. 3:9).
Europe
Please pray for the raising up of the Lord's testimony in major cities in Europe, including Lisbon, Portugal; Vienna, Austria; Thessaloniki, Greece; Zagreb, Croatia; Belgrade, Serbia; Geneva and Zurich, Switzerland; Sevilla and Palma de Mallorca, Spain; Amsterdam and Rotterdam, the Netherlands; Tirana, Albania; Gdansk, Poland; and Malta.
Milan, Italy Meeting Hall
The church in Milan (100 saints; city population 3 million) and the literature center in Italy (29 titles published; sold in ten Christian book stores in Italy) are in the process of acquiring a property in Milan. A total of €741,000 (approximately $830,000) must be paid by January 13, 2020. The church and literature work have provided €200,000. Please pray for the Lord's blessing on this property for His increase in Milan and in Italy. Gifts can be given to LME or to the church, designated "Milan Meeting Hall."
Announcements
-
Morning Revival: Week 22 of Crystallization-Study of Numbers, vol. 4.
Next week, after Thanksgiving weekend, we will REPEAT Week 22. - Wednesday Night Ministry Meeting: There will not be a meeting on Wednesday, November 27, due to the Thanksgiving Conference in Houston. The ministry meeting will resume on December 4.
- December Semiannual Training is December 23 to 28. Registration for webcasts in LA ($105) due by December 3. No late registrations. Register at http://tinyurl.com/wintertrainingla.
- Audio of the October 20 Joint LA Meeting is available in English at http://tinyurl.com/godlyfamily.
- Reports on the Lord's Move in Germany, website in English: http://germanyreports.info.
Prayer, Week of November 10
Transferred from the Authority of Satan to the Authority of God
"To open their eyes, to turn them from darkness to light and from the authority of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified by faith in Me." (Acts 26:18)
The authority of Satan is Satan's kingdom (Matt. 12:26), which belongs to darkness. Satan is the ruler of this world (John 12:31) and the ruler of the power of the air (Eph. 2:2). He has his authority and his angels (Matt. 25:41)….Satan has his kingdom, the authority of darkness (Col. 1:13). According to [Acts] 26:18, we are transferred from the authority of Satan to God. Actually, to be transferred to God is to be transferred to the authority of God, which is God's kingdom belonging to light. (Life-Study of Acts, chap. 69, sec. 1)
Lord, keep us submissive to God's authority and upholding God's authority (II.C.2)
Southern California College Conference B
Last weekend (November 8 to 10) we had a marvelous conference. Praise the Lord. Through all the messages and fellowship the Lord was able to breakthrough many barriers. In three of the four messages emphasis was put on the heart and how to take care of our heart.
Now, let us pray that the revelation that they saw in the mountain would be wrought into them and applied during their daily life.
Southern California College Conference C
This year's fall college conferences in Southern California are split up into three sessions at Oak Glen. The general subject is "The Metaphors for the Christian Life." Last weekend, students from CSUN participated; this weekend, November 15 to 17, students from UCLA and USC will go. Please pray that:
- the Lord would prepare every heart this week to be the good earth for His words of life;
- everyone who signed up would make it to the conference safely;
- the enemy's activity would be bound both in the environment and in the minds of all those going so that the Lord may move and operate in an unhindered way;
- everyone would be more rooted in Christ and built up in Him!
Material Giving to Experience God's Riches in Glory
Outwardly, we give material gifts to the church for support of full-timers and trainees and for practical needs. Inwardly, we give to follow the Lord's leading in us and to experience His blessing.
"And my God will fill your every need according to His riches, in glory, in Christ Jesus." Since Paul considered the Philippians' material gift to him a sacrifice to God, he believed with assurance that God, who was one with him and who was his God, would richly repay the Philippians. Since the Philippians cared for God's sent one, God would care for their every need. God supplies us according to His riches, not according to our needs. His riches exceed our needs. (Phil. 4:19 + notes 1, 3, 4)
Bibles for America
BfA has reached another milestone! During the month of October, we shipped 11,199 NTs to individuals all over the US. Previously, the largest number of orders fulfilled in a single month was 7,757 in September 2015. We expect this number to keep growing as more people find out about our free offer for the NT Recovery Version.
As the orders increase, please pray for the faithful saints laboring at our distribution center in Commerce to be strengthened. Pray that the Bible packaging and mailing process would be smooth and efficient, and that more local volunteers would be able to serve. Pray also that each recipient would be poor in spirit and pure in heart as they read their new Bible.
Meeting Hall in Berlin
The church in Berlin has purchased a large property that will meet the needs of the church and support the Lord's testimony in this strategic city. The purchase price is US$5.6 million with a November 15 closing date. We believe that this property is the result of the fighting prayer in the whole Body, and that the Lord has graced many saints and churches in this financial fellowship.
Thank the Lord that through His grace and the giving of His Body, as of the end of October, all the funds needed to complete the purchase have been received in time for the final payment on November 15. May He use the acquisition of this facility to bless and build up the church in Berlin. Praise the Lord!
Announcements
- Morning Revival: Week 20 of Crystallization-Study of Numbers, vol. 4.
- UPDATED: Children and YP Service Policy Fellowship: On November 24, 3:00 to 4:30 pm there will be an important fellowship for all serving ones of children and young people in LA to strengthen and upgrade our service. This will be at Hall 5 (522 S Sepulveda Blvd, LA 90049).
- SoCal Children's Work Conference: Saturday, November 16, 9:00 am to 12:15 pm in Diamond Bar. No lunch provided. Bring FM radio for translation. Donation $10. Go to http://www.scyp.com/registration.
- Audio of the October 20 Joint LA Meeting is available in English at http://tinyurl.com/godlyfamily.
- December Semiannual Training is December 23 to 28. Registration for webcasts in LA ($105) due by December 3. No late registrations. Register at http://tinyurl.com/wintertrainingla.
- Reports on the Lord's Move in Germany, website in English: http://germanyreports.info.
Prayer, Week of October 20
The first item below is composed from the speaking in the joint meeting of the church in LA. Let's pray ourselves into this burden. You may listen to the fellowship (in English) at http://tinyurl.com/godlyfamily.
LA Joint Meeting Overflow – The Godly Family
"By faith Noah, having been divinely instructed concerning things not yet seen and being moved by pious fear, prepared an ark for the salvation of his house, through which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith." (Heb. 11:7)
"For the grace of God, bringing salvation to all men, has appeared, training us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly and righteously and godly in the present age, awaiting the blessed hope, even the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us that He might redeem us from all lawlessness and purify to Himself a particular people as His unique possession, zealous of good works." (Titus 2:11-14)
Noah brought salvation to his whole family by living a godly life in the midst of an evil age. To live a godly life means to live a life that is of God, for God, in God, and like God. To live such a life requires us to make a decision—a deep resolution. We all need to make this resolution and declare it in prayer.
Noah was able to live in a godly manner because he found grace in the eyes of God (Gen. 6:8). Today, we can all come forward boldly to the throne of grace in our spirit to receive mercy and find grace for timely help (Heb. 4:16). Then, we must learn to hope in the appearing of the Lord Jesus rather than in anything of this world (Titus 2:13). In this way, we can live a godly life.
Moreover, this godly life is not primarily for us alone; rather, it is for our family and for God's family. We may obtain eternal life as individuals, but in many ways we gain practical, daily salvation by household. When we have this kind of godly life, we bring salvation to our entire household. This matter of the household is intrinsically and deeply related to working out God's economy. If we truly see this, it will have a revolutionary effect on our life and church life.
Noah lived in a wicked age, but by living a godly life, he saved his entire household and turned the age to enable God's purpose to be fulfilled. May we all make this resolution to live a godly life for our family and for God's family to fulfill His purpose!
"But as for me and my house, we will serve Jehovah." (Josh. 24:15b)
LA Chinese-Speaking Blending Retreat
This weekend, October 25 to 27, Chinese-speaking saints from LA will go to Oak Glen for their biannual blending retreat. Saints from Thousand Oaks and some other Southern California localities will also participate. So far there are close to 110 people registered, including children. Please pray:
- For a good time of blending among the saints.
- That all the saints would see the vision of the Lord's recovery and consecrate themselves for this.
- That all would cultivate a daily living of eating Christ and flowing out Christ.
Bibles for America
In August, BfA started advertising free copies of the Spanish NT Recovery Version on Facebook. Since then, the number of online orders for Spanish Bibles has increased significantly. In July, we sent out 141 copies; in September, we mailed out 1,142 copies! We have received many encouraging comments.
Please pray that more Spanish-speaking people would see this ad on Facebook, order a free NT, and share this offer with their friends. Pray also that the Lord would cause those who have already received a copy to read it and grow spiritually by being nourished with the truth.
December Semiannual Training Registration
This Lord's Day, October 27 is the firm deadline to complete registrations for the December Semiannual Training (December 23 to 28) at http://tinyurl.com/wintertrainingla. This deadline applies to saints from LA who wish to attend the live sessions in Anaheim ($205); those who plan to attend simulcast sessions in LA or Santa Clarita may register until December 3 ($105). Late registrations will not be accepted. May the Lord motivate and release many saints to attend!
United Kingdom
Please continue to pray that the Lord will rule sovereignly over the exit of the UK from the European Union (Brexit). May the Lord rule over the situation for His interests and for the advancement of His move in Europe!
Hong Kong
For the past several months, there has been considerable unrest and turmoil in Hong Kong. In such times, the church needs even the more to fulfill the ministry of prayer (Eph. 6:17-18). May the Lord direct our hearts with the vision of His eternal economy so that our hearts would not be disturbed but rather be established, that we would consider one another so as to incite one another to love and good works, not abandoning our own assembling together (Heb. 10:24-25a), and that we would live in the church life together for the building up of the Body of Christ to accomplish God's economy.
India
India has a population of over 1.3 billion people. Of the 185 established local churches, 141 are in the south, 28 in the northeast, and 16 in the north. This means that approximately 75% of the churches are in the south; however, the majority of the Indian population lives in the northern regions.
Please pray for the propagation of the resurrected and ascended Christ in Northern India. This is a move of the entire Body, so the prayer of Body is needed. May the gospel of the kingdom be preached to the more than 800 million people in Northern India!
Myanmar
Pray for the release of the Burmese Holy Bible Recovery Version app on October 22 in Google Play Store which is available to all people in Myanmar for free. May the word of God overflow and gain more Burmese by this Bible app!
Announcements
- Morning Revival: REPEAT Week 17 of Crystallization-Study of Numbers, vol. 3.
- Audio of the October 20 Joint LA Meeting is available in English at http://tinyurl.com/godlyfamily.
- SAVE THE DATE! On November 24, 3:00 to 4:30pm at Hall 5, there will be an important fellowship for serving ones and parents of children and young people to strengthen and upgrade our service.
- December Semiannual Training is December 23 to 28. Registration is open until October 27 for the live sessions in Anaheim ($205) and December 3 for webcasts in LA ($105). No late registrations. Saints in LA are invited to register at http://tinyurl.com/wintertrainingla and follow the payment directions.
- The Thanksgiving Conference will be in Houston, Texas from November 28 to December 1. Saints from LA who plan to attend are asked to RSVP by October 31. Childcare registration required. Information, including hotels, is at https://churchinlosangeles.org/prayer.
- Reports on the Lord's Move in Germany, website in English: http://germanyreports.info.
Prayer, Week of October 6
Digging the Well to Allow the Spirit to Flow Freely within Us
"Then Israel sang this song: Spring up, O well! Sing to it! The well, which the leaders sank, which the nobles of the people dug, with the scepter, with their staffs…" (Num. 21:17-18)
"Because of this I also exercise myself to always have a conscience without offense toward God and men." (Acts 24:16)
The digging of the well signifies the digging away of the "dirt," the barriers in our heart—our conscience, our mind, our will, and our emotion—so that the Spirit as the living water may spring up within us and flow freely. We need to go to the Lord to be "dug out" for the free flow of the living water within us. There is much "dirt" within us that needs to be dug out.
We must forget about our needs, our jobs, our future, and our circumstances. We must seek only the Lord's presence and ask Him to bring us into His light. Then we can follow His light to dig away the dirt in our heart, conscience, mind, will, and emotion.
This digging is accomplished only by prayer in our private time with the Lord. We have to spend more time with the Lord and pray according to His inner leading. The more we dig away the dirt, the more living, strengthened, and victorious we will be as the living water flows freely within us to cause us to grow in life for the building up of the Body of Christ. (Crystallization-Study of Numbers, msg. 16, III.A-B,B.6-8)
ITERO Follow-up
The International Training for Elders and Responsible Ones concluded this past weekend in Bangalore, India with blending meetings in three cities on the Lord's Day. Almost 1100 brothers from all over the world gathered for this training. The general subject was "The One New Man Fulfilling God's Purpose in Creating Man." The brothers were deeply impressed that now is the golden time for the one new man to be brought forth for the fulfillment of God's eternal purpose. For this to happen in reality and practicality, we all need to take Christ as our person and be renewed in the spirit of our mind.
Please pray for the prayer needed for the reality and practicality of the one new man. Pray for the dissemination and digestion of these messages in all the churches. Also pray for all the saints traveling, as many saints are now participating in blending trips in India.
Southern California Junior High Conferences
The Fall 2019 Junior High Conferences will be October 11 to 13. The sisters will be in Fullerton and the brothers in Diamond Bar. Please pray for our junior high students to be impressed with the precious blood of Christ (1 Pet. 1:19), and learn how to practically apply the blood to enjoy the Lord in their daily lives. Pray also that they would be encouraged by and blended with other young people across Southern California.
Los Angeles Campuses
The Fall is always one of the busiest times of the year for contacting people on the college campuses. The burden for the Lord to gain some young vessels that would be useful to Him is still strong, and much prayer, coordination, and labor is needed to carry it out. Please continue to join us in the labor on the campuses by your prayer in the following directions:
- That the Lord would continue to supply the laboring ones on the campuses, including the students themselves.
- For the strategic person-by-person follow-up with all of the new students that have signed up with us, including connecting many of them with companions among us.
- That many students would be released to attend the upcoming college conferences in November and see a vision of Christ and the church!
Iberian Peninsula Conference
This year's Iberian Peninsula Conference will be held from December 13 to 15 in Torremolinos, Malaga, Spain. Last year 374 adults plus 35 children—representing 18 countries—attended the wonderful time of blending. The firm deadline for registration is October 7. All the information can be found at the following links:
https://www.amanatrust.org.uk/calendar/iberian-peninsula-conference-2019 (English)
https://www.amanatrust.org.uk/calendar/conferencia-en-la-peninsula-iberica-2019 (Spanish)
You are warmly invited to participate. Please pray that the Lord will enable many to come and for the Lord to abundantly bless this time for His move in the Iberian Peninsula.
Announcements
- Morning Revival: Week 16 of Crystallization-Study of Numbers, vol. 3 (July Semiannual Training).
- Joint LA Meeting: The whole church in LA will meet together on Lord's Day, October 20, 10 am at LA Hall 2. Adults will meet in the main room. All junior high YP plus senior high YP and serving saints not at the HS conferences will have their own meeting. We will eat lunch together afterwards.
- December Semiannual Training is December 23 to 28. Registration is open until October 27 for the live sessions in Anaheim ($205) and December 3 for webcasts in LA ($105). No late registrations. Saints in LA are invited to register at http://tinyurl.com/wintertrainingla and follow payment directions.
- Thanksgiving Conference will be in Houston, Texas from November 28 to December 1. Saints from LA who plan to attend are asked to RSVP by October 31. Childcare registration required. Information, including hotels, is at https://churchinlosangeles.org/prayer.
- Reports on the Lord's Move in Germany, website in English: http://germanyreports.info.