Basic HTML Version
PAGE 2
PASTOR GENERAL'S REPORT, DECEMBER 20, 1985
In last week's PGR, I mentioned that tests were being run to determine
whether the tumor partially removed from Mr. and Mrs. Dennis
Robertson's daughter, Jennifer, was malignant. The tumor is malignant.
Please continue to remember the Robertsons in your prayers as well.
Through all these severe trials so many are experiencing right now, it
is important that we keep our minds focused upon the true meaning of
life, and on the reason God has made us temporary, physical beings, and
what His� promises are for the future. The apostle Paul reminds us
in Romans 8:16-23, Revised Authorized Version:
The Spirit [itself] bears witness with our spirit that we
are children of God, and if children, then heirs--heirs of
God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with
Him, that we may also be glorified together.
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are
not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be
revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creation
eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. For the
creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but
because of Him who subjected it in hope1 because the
creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of
corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of
God.
For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with
birth pangs together until now. And not only they, but we
also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we our
selves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the
adoption, the redemption of our body.
The rest of chapter 8 further calls to our minds the vastness of God's
love and His all-encompassing purpose for us.
Paul gives us great
encouragement in verses 31-39, RAV:
What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us,
who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son,
but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him
also freely give us all things? Who shall bring a charge
against God's elect? It is God who justifies. Who is he
who condemns?
It is Christ who died, and furthermore is
also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also
makes intercession for us.
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trib
ulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or naked
ness, or peril, or sword? As it is written: "For Your
sake we are killed all day long1 We are accounted as sheep
for the slaughter.• Yet in all these things we are more
than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am per
suaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor princi
palities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come,
nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be
able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ
Jesus our Lord.