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Visiting Among Conservative Friends |
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Visitation is an important aspect of ministry whether we are congregating with a group of like-minded Friends in Christ or frequenting other individuals whom the Holy Spirit has infused in Jesus' guidance and love. . . Most important, when we relate to other Quakers guided by the everlasting Lord, it is imperative for us to share how God directs our lives if we are faithful and recognize Christ's power within. Unfortunately sometimes we assume that Friends are so enamored of Jesus that it is not necessary to minister to each other. Yet when we are struggling with the worldly powers which seek to deny the power of the Lord, we need to utter words of encouragement that the Lord delivered to us as faithful servants of His Kingdom. In that way, we are encouraging our friends to participate in the Lamb's war. Friends, we need encouragement from one another to preserve and extend our fellowship in the name of Christ. Likewise Friends do have concerns about raising their precious children. This is a prime concern of the Lord. And because Quakers who engage in Jesus' waiting worship have received - and are still receiving - insights from the Lord in bringing their little ones to Jesus' domain, we need to encourage our Friends to wait on the Lord for instruction as well as love. Then, in visiting our soul mates, we will be able to enunciate God's guidance in leading our precious ones to hear and obey the Lord. Early on in Quaker history, elders would make periodic visits to Friends' families to delineate God's needs for His faithful children. Often these elders would continue to advise the families when the Lord moved them to do so. Now, if we are faithful, we should remain in contact with one another to promulgate Jesus' imperatives for proper family living. And let us remember the gospel is not for us alone but it is God's gift to all people. Yes, He requires us to promulgate the Good News of His Presence to those who have not experienced the power of the Lord. Small wonder that when we are visiting other Conservative Friends, we must provide opportunities for us to welcome other humans to God's domain. As a result, our human Friends will begin to love the Lord as we do. Above all, in our visitations, God moves us to wait on Him for His everlasting presence. Then we will receive the enduring love that overcomes worldly happenings. The Lamb will speak to encourage us in our obedience. And we will be one gathering in Christ. May He prevail.
Arthur Berk |