MAY Pastoral Letter

Seek First the Kingdom of God, and His Righteousness

Matt 6:33

"MY BELOVED BRETHREN... BE YE STEDFAST, UNMOVEABLE, ALWAYS ABOUNDING IN THE WORK... FOR AS MUCH AS YE KNOW THAT YOUR LABOUR IS NOT IN VAIN IN THE LORD. 1 COR 15:58

In this issue:

* Exposition returns starting with Matt 7:1
* Remembering Tender Mercies
* Updates From the Mail Room

"'Not called!' did you say? 'Not heard the call,' I think you should say. Put your ear down to the Bible, and hear Him bid you go and pull sinners out of the fire of sin. Put your ear down to the burdened, agonized heart of humanity, and listen to its pitiful wail for help. Go stand by the gates of hell, and hear the damned entreat you to go to their father's house and bid their brothers and sisters and servants and masters not to come there. Then look Christ in the face — whose mercy you have professed to obey — and tell Him whether you will join heart and soul and body and circumstances in the march to publish His mercy to the world.

~William Booth, founder of the Salvation Army

We at FBF would like to Thank you again for your prayers and encouragements as the Teams in East, Central, South and Western Africa are experiencing many advances and serious revival that continues in the East and Central sections... all Glory to God! East India continues to open up new territories with the Gospel, and the Open Air preach continues in the US. All teams are training new recruits at this time. We thank the LORD for the good work of participating with His Kingdom advance... and with all His Church Bride who is eagerly awaiting His soon return. This is the hour for all of God’s children to ‘rise up’ for the gospel of Jesus Christ! It’s TIME to do all we can in Christ. His return is more certain than ever before! Amen.

The focus of the Pastoral Letter (PL) is along the lines of generally edifying and encouraging Preachers to establish more of Christ in our lives, promoting the Kingdom of God where ever we go, Establishing God fearing Churches, mission updates (Africa, India, US), missions reports, focus points, teaching, exposition, a short list of mail-ins (with some excerpts). We are committed to the Great Co-Mission for all, as being salt and light are not an option in the church of Jesus Christ. Matt 5:13-16 ... We continue to bless all those who are at work in the advancement of the Kingdom of God... for Jesus sake. We continue to call all men to Jesus, and to the simplicity of Christ that we find in the Book of Acts Church... to His Glory and Praise!

Acts 2:42, 46-47, Mark 16:15-16

May the LORD leave His richest blessings upon each one of you as you Press On with Jesus!

MATTHEW 7: EXPOSITION

Jesus has been teaching disciples, and here in Matt. 7 He begins the wind and closing of the Sermon on the Mount with encouragements and warnings! This is our Master, Saviour and King speaking only to His disciples who came a long way to listen on top of the mount where He planned this meeting. Non disciples would never make the journey. Jesus was qualifying his listeners when he arranged and advertised this meeting...

... consider how Jesus may be similarly qualifying His disciples today... so that the casual by-standers end up choosing not to follow Jesus and His end-time preparations and teachings... Amen.

Jesus begins with the need for spiritual discernment (judgement) to make right calls in teaching, counseling, preaching and cautionary warnings!

(Matthew 7:1) Judge not, that ye be not judged.

As we have taught before... judgment here is to help people come home to the LORD that they may be saved, and not lost. To show people the err of their ways and help to bring them to repentance is the focus of all judgment... in turning the lost, wayward and sinning hearts back to the LORD. We read that: “The LORD is not slack concerning his promises, as some men count slackness... but is long-suffering to us-ward... not willing that any should perish, but that ALL should come to repentance.” 2 Pet 3:9

This command not to judge others includes the following areas: we should not judge motives; only God can read them; we should not judge by appearance (John 7:24; Jam 2:1-4); we should not judge those who have conscientious scruples about matters that are not in themselves right or wrong (Rom 14:1-5); we should not judge the service of another Christian (1 Cor 4:1-5); and, we should not judge a fellow believer by speaking evil about him (Jam 4:11-12).

Sometimes these words of our Lord are misconstrued by people to prohibit all forms of judgment. No matter what happens, they piously say, “Judge not, that you be not judged.” But Jesus is not teaching that we are to be undiscerning Christians. He never intended that we abandon our critical faculty or discernment. The New Testament has many illustrations of legitimate judgment of the condition, conduct, or teaching of others. In addition, there are several areas in which the Christian is commanded to make a decision, to discriminate between good and bad or between good and best, clean and unclean, obedient and disobedient, holy and profane... these include:

1. When disputes arise between believers, they should be settled in the church before members who can decide the matter (1 Cor 6:1-8).

2. The local church is to judge serious sins of its members and take appropriate action (Mat 18:17; 1 Cor 5:9-13).

3. Believers are to judge the doctrinal teaching of teachers and preachers by the Word of God (Mat 7:15-20; 1 Cor 14:29; 1 John 4:1).

4. Christians have to discern if others are believers in order to obey Paul's command in 2 Cor 6:14.

5. Those in the church must judge which men have the qualifications necessary for elders and deacons (1 Tim 3:1-13).

6. We have to discern which people are unruly, fainthearted, weak, etc., and treat them according to the instructions in the Bible (e.g., 1 Thess 5:14).

Judging/ instructing is clearly taught throughout the Bible in both Testaments. We are:

· Commanded to judge with righteous judgment

· That our failure to judge is sin.

· That is impossible not to judge.

By clear instruction, the Bible requires us to correct and warn with good judgment... but with Righteous (Godly – Spiritual) judgment! Consider the following verses:

· Leviticus 19:15-18 "Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment… in righteousness shalt thou judge thy neighbor… thou shalt in anywise rebuke thy neighbor, and not suffer sin upon him…thou shalt love your neighbor as yourself."

· Proverbs 31:9: "Open thy mouth, judge righteously…”

· Ezekiel 22:2: “… thou shalt show her all her abominations."

· Ezekiel 23:36: "…declare unto them their abominations."

· Luke 12:57: "… why even of yourselves judge ye not what is right?”

· John 7:24: “…judge not according to appearance, but judge righteous judgment."

· 1 Cor 2:15-16: "He that is spiritual judgeth all things…”

· 1 Cor 6:1-6: "Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? And if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters? Know ye not that we shall judge angels? How much more things that pertain to this life?

· Isaiah 58:1: "cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet and show my people their transgressions and the house of Jacob their sins."

The false understanding of judging is seriously compromising the Gospel and destroying our culture. Christians are supposed to (discern the times) and determine judgment and tell the world what a holy God thinks of their sins. The failure to do so has given us a nation infested with pornography, militant homosexuals, drugs, crime, abortion, cults, heresies, promiscuity, venereal disease and aids.

(Matthew 7:2) For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.

Jesus warned that unrighteous judgment would be repaid in kind. This principle of reaping what we sow is built into all human life and affairs. Mark applies the principle to our approval of the Word (Mar 4:24) and Luke applies it to our liberality in giving (Luk 6:38).

(Matthew 7:3) and why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?

A “mote” is a small dried twig, which is typically blown about in the wind. A “beam” is a stick of timber or a splinter. A beam is substantially larger and more dangerous than a twig. The contrast between the two is one of size.

(Matthew 7:4) Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye?

Jesus exposed our tendency to see a small fault in someone else while ignoring the same fault in ourselves. He purposely exaggerated the situation (using a figure of speech known as hyperbole) to drive home the point. Someone with a plank in his eye often finds fault with the speck in the eye of another, not even noticing his own condition.

(Matthew 7:5) Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.

The word “hypocrite” in the Greek literally means two-faced, one who is playing the part of an actor. It is hypocritical to suppose that we could help someone with a fault when we ourselves have a greater fault. We must remedy our own faults before criticizing them in others. Also, it is interesting to note that here Jesus is commanding us to judge! He says to get the beam out of our eye so we can see clearly to get the mote out of our brother’s eye. Though judgment is sometimes needed, those making the distinctions (krino, judge, means “to distinguish” and thus “to decide”) must first be certain of their own lives.

(Matthew 7:6) Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.

With this verse, Christ also commands us to not give what is holy to dogs, or pearls to swine, thereby requiring us to judge what is holy, who is a dog, and who is a swine.

This verse proves that Jesus did not intend to forbid every kind of judgment. Under the Mosaic Law dogs and swine were unclean animals and here the terms are used to depict wicked people (Phil 3:2; 2 Pet 2:22). “Casting your pearls before swine” is a proverb implying poor economy. However, the Lord’s intention in that phrase goes deeper. Most of us don’t think of the error of casting pearls before swine as putting us in danger. The concept of taking God’s precious truths and wasting them upon the world is also a way of incurring danger where the world will turn on you and use it on you. In a world with hostility toward God, they will become your enemy. However, I’m not suggesting that you withhold your witness. Speak when you must, but use discernment. When we meet vicious people who treat divine truths with utter contempt and respond to our preaching of the claims of Christ with abuse and violence, we are not obligated to continue to share the gospel with them. To press the matter only brings increased condemnation to the offenders. When seeking to help another, one must exercise care to do what would be appreciated and beneficial.

Needless to say, it requires spiritual perception to discern these people. Perhaps that is why the next verses take up the subject of prayer, by which we can ask for wisdom.

(Matthew 7:7) Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:

This is a commandment - an imperative. God commands us to pray and then promises us to answer. Yes, God answers prayer! See Phil 4:6,7, 19; Jam 1:5; Isa 26:9; Ps 65:2 & Luk 11:5-10.

(Matthew 7:8) For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

If we think that we can live out the teachings of the Sermon on the Mount by our own strength, we have failed to realize the supernatural character of the life to which the Savior calls us. The wisdom or power for such a life must be given to us from above. So here we have an invitation to ask and keep on asking; to seek and keep on seeking; to knock and keep on knocking. Wisdom and power for the Christian life will be given to all who earnestly and persistently pray for it.

Taken out of context, verses 7 and 8 might seem like a blank check for believers, i.e., we can get anything we ask for. But this is simply not true. The verses must be understood in their immediate context and in light of the whole Bible's teaching on prayer. Therefore, what seems like unqualified promises here are actually restricted by other passages. For example, from Ps 66:18 we learn that the person praying must have no unconfessed sin in his life. The Christian must pray in faith (Jam1:6-8) and in conformity with the will of God (1 John 5:14). Prayer must be offered persistently (Luk 18:1-8) and sincerely (Heb 10:22 a).

(Matthew 7:9) Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone?

(Matthew 7:10) Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent?

When the conditions for prayer are met, the Christian can have utter confidence that God will hear and answer. This assurance is based on the character of God, our Father. On the human level, we know that if a son asks for bread, his father will not give him a stone. Neither would he give him a serpent if he had asked for a fish. An earthly father would neither deceive his hungry son nor give him anything that might inflict pain.

(Matthew 7:11) If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?

Earlier in this sermon Jesus had given the disciples a model prayer (Mat 6:9-13). In verse 7 of this chapter He assured them that God welcomes prayer, and urged them to come to Him continuously and persistently. This is emphasized by the present tenses in the verbs: “keep on asking”; “keep on seeking”; “keep on knocking” in verse 7. Why all this urging to pray? Because our Father in heaven delights in giving good gifts (Jam 1:17) to those who persist in prayer. (Luke substitutes “the Holy Spirit” for “good gifts,” Luk 11:13.) If an earthly father, with his sinful (evil) nature, delights to do right materially for his children, it makes sense that the righteous, heavenly Father will much more reward His children spiritually for their persistence. The Lord thus argues from the lesser to the greater. If human parents reward their children's requests with what is best for them, how much more will our Father who is in heaven do so (Jam 1:5).

Then let us rejoice, that “WE have” in heaven, a Father who is like none other... and knows all things! He knows how to give the best things... and more of the influence, motivations and manifestations of His Holy Spirit to us to help us as we have need. He will love us enough to correct us as well with Righteous Judgments that we stay on track with Him in these last days... and that “NONE would perish, and that all would come to repentance and righteousness as He has called us to. Dear brethren... may we be instruments in the hand of our Father for these purposes and for His good pleasure in turning the hearts back home. We will continue in this exposition in Matt 7, in Jesus Name. FBF Staff

REMEMBERING TENDER MERCIES

Psalms 25:6 Remember, O LORD, thy tender mercies and thy loving-kindnesses; for they have been ever of old.

Psalms 40:11 Withhold not thou thy tender mercies from me, O LORD: let thy loving-kindness and thy truth continually preserve me.

Psalms 51:1 Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy loving-kindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.

Psalms 69:16 Hear me, O LORD; for thy loving-kindness is good: turn unto me according to the multitude of thy tender mercies.

Psalms 77:9 Hath God forgotten to be gracious? hath he in anger shut up his tender mercies? Selah.

Psalms 79:8 O remember not against us former iniquities: let thy tender mercies speedily prevent us: for we are brought very low.

Psalms 103:4 Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with loving-kindness and tender mercies;

Psalms 119:77 Let thy tender mercies come unto me, that I may live: for thy law is my delight.

Psalms 119:156 Great are thy tender mercies, O LORD: quicken me according to thy judgments.

Psalms 145:9 The LORD is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works.

Proverbs 12:10 A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.

Encouragements and updates from the mail room

Bro David – Pastors/ preachers appreciate PL

Receive greetings in the mighty name of Jesus Christ. Your messages
are good and build people spiritually, sorry I don’t have internet
near me, that is why you see me at times delay to reply. So my dear
brother you are welcome to Africa 2012 to serve God with me. May God
bless you where you are. You are in our prayers.
Remain yours senior pastor
David O

Bro Wachana, interceeds for Founder

Dear Brother Robert Ephrata,
Thanks for the greetings and carols you sent to us here in Uganda. We
are also continuing with the Mission and the faithful preaching of the
gospel.

Its a sad moment for us to hear the sudden death of our Father who is
presented as our advisor these ends because for you, you are the
founder of this Ministry, meaning you are the father of the Ministry
which Ministry means us. We have been too praying for your flight back
home for the burial and we pray all to go well while at home with your
people.
We have carried out a conference of the first quarter of the year in
Mayuge zone from 17th to 20th April and many Church Leaders were
called upon to attended it.
I will send for you photos later because we just hire a photographer
and they are not ready at this time.
Therefore, we tried to share with some of the Church Leaders why the
trip has been postponed.
That you have been on a newer job opportunity over the last five
months in order to supply so many needs in Africa and we shared the
sad news that two weeks ago you were among the last two Candidates and
all the preparations never went through. So it was a great
disappointment to you . and too its a disappointment to us because we
had infromed most of the Brethrens in different Churches that you were
to come and do the Ministry work with us in March, April. But other events have

changed all that. And the role we have played is to tell them to wait for you
anytime from now because we dont know the plans of God He has for
Mission at this time.
We even told the Church Leaders to inform the entire Church members to
continue praying for the trip that you are planning in the later
this year and to put more emphasis on what you were told. And to pray

for Brother Robert and domestic issues and a move.

Our Brother, you are also the backbone of this Ministry and we are
praying for you as a whole in order to see things work out.

As you said that the devil is not happy with what we are doing, but we
want to assure you, though the devil wants to obstract, we shall
overcome it and it will come to......... until the work is done in
Africa of preaching the gospel and Church planting of the Lord.

Probably the Brethrens in these Churches said they are still
strengthened to see you coming to do the Ministry work with us,
because its something that is going to make the gospel leap to
another level of the Spiritually and abundance here in Africa and to
this, most of sins and curses will be broken.

As your Brothers, we thank you for the good news of the FBF steadily
building and moving forward in missions and training because of us.
For the devil is always our enemy and battle is on our finger tips. So
we are in a warfare against the devil at the moment till it
surrenders.
I remain yours in Christ.
Wachana Bonventry

Bro James/ FBF E.A.R... prayer and fasting... reminder of new dangers in OA preaching, East Africa.

Dear Brother,

We have been praying for you during these trying moments for you sincerely it has been like a prayer and fasting for God to give you a deep heart to accept and understand where our father has gone we will also go there one time i am very excited the lord Jesus i am preaching and speaking about has prepared for me a wonderful mantion there so that that when i go there shall be great joy and trumpet for the victor.Pleased to hear from you it has been as well very busy today we have about seven communities in the rift valley were holding a peace initiative forum which very important most of this communities were the worst hit during post election violence which broke here in Eldoret and there is need for healling which can olso be achieved by the blood of the lamb the only son of God Jesus Christ.

We had also the mandate to pray for our country at this time of electioneering mood many this has started happening and these blast by terror groups who have ended up hunting for churches and ministers for open air declaration like us who takes the bull hor and ministers in the market places when these people hears something like this they come with bomb and blast our preaching venue to retaliate the war which Kenya now is at war with Somali insurgent Alshabaabs.Last sunday the two blasts from these groups took place in Mtwapa and tononoka ground places which set set for prayers and proclamation crusades a part from these recently two bomb blasted in the city centres of Nairobi.

Keep praying for us please i will try for tomorrow to keep my lines on to received from your call even through still in prayers.Thank you Brother.

Yours in the Lord.

Brother James.

Sister Esther/ meetings with 50 churches represented...

Thanks very much brother Robert,

May God bless you as we continue with the to preach good news all over the world its lovely to look at the open tomb wawoo the man is not there he is out of it praise God yesterday i shared about his power he didn,t ask any body to support him to remove the stone the same to us he his going to remove all our weaknesses by his spirit when i was sharing one man gave his life to the lord praise him its very good to know God ,

Sofa am done 4 crusades am starting another one on 25th April glory be to God hope to give you the updates but also have a big prayer meeting on 20th expecting 50 churches to come together we are going to spend 24 hours before the lord thanks for your prayers i can see a big move of the lord

God bless

Esther

Pastor Elie from Burundi asks for prayer as his wife just died unexpectedly.

Dear my Dad Robert,

receive my greetings in the name of Jesus Christ I would like to tell you that my wife rest in the Lord please daddy stand with me in this stiation.

Yours in Kingdom
Pastor Elie

Much emphasis is given by our LORD and the Apostles in their teaching on the importance of the PREACHING or DECLARING the Gospel of Jesus Christ! It is the POWER of God on earth as given to men (Rom 1.16)... as it provides the most coverage in every area.

The words used for PREACH, PREACHING carry with it the Open Air Proclamation just as a TOWN CRIER! It is never a 2 eay conversation... but a DECLARATION TO ALL! The Church Bride of Christ is to be the VOICE of the Bride and the Bridegroom in this untoward generation.

It has been, and remains the privilege of this ministry to expose men to this dimension of the Gospel as prescribed by our LORD JESUS CHRIST! May we present the Truth in Love... as Jesus did. Amen.

Mark 16:15-16, 1:14, Matt 9:35, 24:12-14, Luke 4:18, 4:43, 24:47,

Acts 5:42, 10:42, 1 Cor 1:18