Increase of Christ, Spiritual Progress, Growth in Life
“Until we all arrive at the oneness of the faith and of the full knowledge of the Son of God, at a full- grown man, at the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.” (Eph. 4:13)
“Until Christ is formed in you.” (Gal. 4:19)
On the positive side, spiritual progress is the increase of the element of Christ within us; on the negative side, spiritual progress is the removal of all things other than Christ within us. When Christ grows and is formed in us so that there is the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ within us, this is spiritual progress. (Memorial Day conference, message 5, I.E.1, I.F)
Lord, grow in us! Increase within us and remove all other things!
United States
“I exhort therefore, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercessions, thanksgivings be made on behalf of all men; on behalf of kings and all who are in high position, that we may lead a quiet and tranquil life in all godliness and gravity.” (1 Tim. 2:1-2)
The elections for the U.S. president and congress are two months from now. We pray to release on earth the authority of the “Ruler of the kings of the earth” (Rev. 1:5) for His choice of elected officials.
CSUN
“Lift up your eyes and look on the fields, for they are already white for harvest” (John 4:35).
The CSUN students have begun to coordinate together to contact the incoming freshmen at their orientations during the next three weeks. The freshmen are the “ripe” ones to contact: they are open and looking for new friends and direction in their college years. Please pray that:
- Our students would become enjoyers of life to be ministers of life;
- Our students would be built together in one accord;
- The best freshmen would be contacted, attracted, and eventually gained as remaining fruit in the
homes and in the meetings of the church.
Thousand Oaks – Cal State Channel Islands
In May seven members of our campus Bible club graduated. We had a wonderful graduation meeting but now only a few students remain in our club. We need to re-start our campus work. Please pray for:
- a BfA table on campus for the first two week of the semester, which begins August 29;
- saints to serve at the BfA table and contact new students (we welcome help from other churches);
- an off campus meeting place, in either Camarillo or Oxnard, to be with students and their friends.
Oak Glen
The churches in Southern California are owners of the Southern California Blending Center in Oak Glen. The downpayment was 20 percent of the purchase price. The seller is loaning us 80 percent, to be paid through 2016 and 2017. Thank the Lord for this purchase and ask Him to keep us in His grace for our giving for the payment of this loan.
Polish New Testament Recovery Version
The gospel of John in Polish was released at the International Blending conference in Poland in May. The project is now entering its final year, with the typesetting set to begin in December 2016, and the proof-reading to follow in August and September 2017. Please pray for:
- the typesetting schedule to be met without any problems;
- a sufficient number of saints to make themselves available for the proof reading next year;
- the Lord would be the supply, wisdom, oneness, and protection to all the saints involved in this work;
- all of the project’s practical and financial needs, so that it can continue without interruption and be
finished as planned.
Announcements
- Morning revival: Week 5 of The Increase of Christ (Memorial Day Conference).
Our next morning revival will be Exodus, vol. 7. - This year’s Spanish-Speaking Perfecting Training in Southern California will be Saturdays August 27, September 24, and November 19.
- The Lord’s Move in Europe:
Information about serving in Germany this fall is at http://germany2016.amanatrust.org.uk.
Giving for the Gospel Work in Europe instructions are at http://www.lordsmove.org/information.html.
Giving for the UK Building Fund instructions are at http://www.lordsmove.org/ukbuildingfund or you may give to the church in LA, designated for UK Building Fund.