Mike Ballantyne Memorial Service
The memorial service for Patriarch/Evangelist Mike Ballantyne will be on Saturday, January 4th at 11;00 a.m., at the Oak Grove Restoration Branch.
There will be no separate visitation.
Saturday, December 28, 2024
Montessory Bed - For Sale
Montessory Bed - For Sale
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In loving Memory of Wanda E. Burford
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Scripture Read-A-Thon
Scripture Read-A-Thon
Fri, Dec 27 at 6:53 PM
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Wednesday, December 25, 2024
LIVING IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD DECEMBER 25, 2024
LIVING IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD DECEMBER 25, 2024
Greetings to all of God’s children around the world,
As we observe the time of year called, Christmas, thought
by some to be the birth of Jesus Christ, and then move on into our daily
routines, may we never forget why Jesus come into this world. It was because of
God’s love for each of His creation. I felt prompted to share the following
today because of that great love of our Heavenly father. You may have seen this
before, but it should be a part of our daily devotions.
A FATHER’S LOVE LETTER
An intimate message from God to you. My Child, You may
not know me, but I know everything about you (Ps 139:1). I know when you sit
down and when you rise up (Ps 139:2). I am familiar with all your ways (Ps
139:3)--even the very hairs on your head are numbered (Matt 10:29-31). You were
made in my image (Gen 1:27). In me you live and move and have your being, for
you are my offspring (Acts 17:28). I knew you even before you were conceived
(Jer 1:4-5). I chose you when I planned creation (Eph 1:11-12). You were not a
mistake, for all your days are written in my book (Ps 139:15-16). I determined
the exact time of your birth and where you would live (Acts 17:26). You are
fearfully and wonderfully made (Ps 139:14). I knit you together in your
mother's womb (Ps 139:13), and brought you forth on the day you were born (Ps
71:6). I have been misrepresented by those who don't know me (John 8:41-44). I
am not distant and angry, but am the complete expression of love (1 John 4:16).
And it is my desire to lavish my love on you (1 John 3:1), simply because you
are my child and I am your Father (1 John 3:1). I offer you more than your
earthly father ever could (Matt 7:11), for I am the perfect Father (Matt 5:48).
Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand (James 1:17), for I am your
provider and I meet all your needs (Matt 6:31-33). My plan for your future has
always been filled with hope (Jer 29:11), because I love you with an
everlasting love (Jer 31:3). My thoughts toward you are as countless as the
sand on the seashore (Ps 139:17-18), and I rejoice over you with singing (Zeph
3:17). I will never stop doing good to you (Jer 32:40), for you are my
treasured possession (Ex 19:5). I desire to establish you with all my heart and
all my soul (Jer 32:41), and I want to show you great and marvelous things (Jer
33:3). If you seek me with all your heart, you will find me (Deut 4:29);
delight in me and I will give you the desires of your heart (Ps 37:4), for it
is I who gave you those desires (Phil 2:13). I am able to do more for you than
you could possibly imagine (Eph 3:20), for I am your greatest encourager (2
Thess 2:16-17). I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles (2
Cor 1:3-4). When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you (Ps 34:18); as a
shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to my heart (Isa 40:11). One
day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes, and I will take away all the
pain you have suffered on this earth (Rev 21:3-4). I am your Father, and I love
you even as I love my son, Jesus (John 17:23). In him, my love for you is
revealed (John 17:26). He is the exact representation of my being (Heb 1:3). He
came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you (Rom 8:31), and to tell
you that I am not counting your sins against you (2 Cor 5:18-19). Jesus died so
that you and I could be reconciled (2 Cor 5:18-19). His death was the ultimate
expression of my love for you (1 John 4:10): I gave up everything I loved that
I might gain your love (Rom 8:31-32). If you receive the gift of my son, Jesus,
you receive me (1 John 2:23), and nothing will ever separate you from my love
again (Rom 8:38-39). Come home and I'll throw the biggest party heaven has ever
seen (Luke 15:7). I have always been Father and will always be Father (Eph
3:14-15). My question is: will you be my child (John 1:12-13)? I am waiting for
you (Luke 15:11-32).
Love, Your Dad (Almighty God)
God bless
Paul Gage
ANNOUNCEMENT:
PASTORS OF ZION 5TH SUNDAY SERVICE
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2024
WALDO AVENUE RESTORATION BRANCH
5:45 PM SONG SERVICE
6:00 PM WORSHIP SERVICE
RESTORATION BRANCH HIGH PRIESTS PRESIDING
Refreshments following
Tuesday, December 24, 2024
Chapter 3: Agency, Stewardship, and Judgment
From: Dwight & Pam Burford
dpburford@all4liberty.net
Chapter 3 from "Why Adam Lost His Agency in the Garden"
Chapter 3: Agency, Stewardship, and Judgment
https://hisworkmanship.net/why-adam-lost-his-agency-in-the-garden-chapter-3/
Agency—According to Websters 1828 Dictionary, agency is the office of an agent; it is the quality of acting; that of moving and of exerting power; of being in a state of action, operation, and instrumentality. Thus, those who have been given agency (the office of an agent) are those who have been given power and the capability to act in an instrumental way and within a certain capacity.
In one sense, an agent is someone who is entrusted with the business of another, including in ministry. Consider Jesus and the question He asked his parents, “Knew ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?” With this question, Jesus pointed them directly to His own agency, that of being an agent of His heavenly Father. He also pointed them to His steadfast intent to faithfully act within His agency (the office of an agent) as appointed by His Father.
To abide in His agency, Jesus does not seek His own will. Rather, He seeks His heavenly Father’s will so He may loyally fulfill His Father’s commands. In keeping with His agency then, Jesus only speaks those words and takes those actions His heavenly Father shows Him to say and do. By His example, Jesus has thus shown us what to say and do so that we may be accounted faithful stewards in our agency for fulfilling the stewardship duties God has placed in our care.
Ephesians 2:10 – For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
Consider, for example, the apostles Jesus Christ called and ordained to His ministry. Jesus’ stated purpose in choosing and ordaining them was so they should go and bring forth fruit—the fruit of His Spirit of truth—to His heavenly Father’s honor and glory and for His purposes.
John 15:16 – Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit; and that your fruit should remain [on earth and in heaven]; that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.
With these words, we learn that Jesus decidedly ordained His apostles to be agents of His ministry, and, as Paul wrote, their agency involved the perfecting of the saints, the work of the ministry, and the edifying of the body of Christ by way of the baptism and ministry of the Holy Ghost.
Is it not obvious, then, that Jesus is also intent on all those He calls to labor with Him doing the will of His heavenly Father as intentionally as He does? For only those who endure in the same have the promise of eternal life in His kingdom in the fullness of His Father’s glory.
Matthew 7:30 – Verily I say unto you, it is not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, that shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father who is in heaven.
John 6:44 – No man can come unto me, except he doeth the will of my Father who hath sent me. And this is the will of him who hath sent me, that ye receive the Son; for the Father beareth record of him; and he who receiveth the testimony, and doeth the will of him who sent me, I will raise up in the resurrection of the just.
All members of the body of Christ (His church ) are thus called by Him for the express purpose of doing His Father’s will, which is the sanctification of our souls through the reception of His Holy Spirit. In fine, each member of His church is to be His agent, one He chooses and to whom He gives specific callings and unique gifts through the wisdom and power of His Spirit of truth.
I Corinthians 12:4-11 – Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues; But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.
Summarized, all members of Jesus Christ’s church are given their agency within the body of Christ to act in His power in accordance with the will of our heavenly Father. We are therefore not meant to be idle. Rather, as His agents we are charged with the responsibility of acting on behalf of and in the interest of our Lord who has appointed us to be agents, i.e. as those appointed to act within and under His divine will and authority and thus under His divine headship.
Stewardship—Stewardship is the office of a steward. Consider the ministers of Jesus Christ. For instance, every minister is to be an agent of God who holds certain stewardship duties, e.g. to dispense the provisions of the gospel, to preach its doctrines, and administer its ordinances. As agents with unique stewardship responsibilities, every minister must be found faithful to their calling to be judged by the Lord to be a just steward, one worthy of His reward by grace.
I Corinthians 4:1,2 – Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required of stewards, that a man be found faithful.
I Peter 4:9,10 – Use hospitality one to another without grudging. As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
A steward is one who manages the concerns and interests of others, such as in managing the financial matters and property of another person or entity. A prominent example in scripture is Joseph of Egypt, who faithfully managed Potiphar’s and Pharaoh’s property and possessions under God’s direction. Because Joseph was faithful in managing their affairs, God granted him an even greater stewardship, that of his own land, called Joseph’s land, which is the land of Zion.
…
See the link above for the remainder of this chapter with references.
Blessings,
Dwight B
Registration is now open for the 2025 Book of Mormon Retreat, for youth ages 17-24!
Registration is now open for the 2025 Book of Mormon Retreat, for youth ages 17-24!
Retreat is at Odessa Hills Campground, beginning with registration Friday evening, January 24, through noon on Sunday, January 26. Register early for reduced fee. The theme is “Seek Me in Thy Youth” (Alma 17:68-70).
The application form is also available for the Book of Mormon Foundation Internship!
Applicants for the Book of Mormon Internship should be between ages 19-24 and at least a year out of high school. Applications must be submitted no later than midnight on Sunday, February 9, 2025. The Internship is a six-week program for those who wish to study the Book of Mormon, engage in service and ministry activities, and deepen their relationship with Jesus Christ. Dates for the 2025 Internship are Sunday June 8 through Saturday July 19.
Please pass this message on to those who may have an interest in participating in the Retreat or the Internship.
See also the testimonies from this year’s 2024 Internship
Jon Tandy
Why Adam Lost His Agency in the Garden – Chapter 1
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Healing Hearts Meetings in January 2025
Healing Hearts Meetings in January 2025
Healing Hearts is a Christ centered group open to all who are currently widowed (widows and widowers). We offer fellowship, friendship, fun and worship. We support each other emotionally through our presence and our common grief. This group is open to all who are widowed, regardless of church affiliation.
We will meet at Colbern Road Restoration Branch on:
Sunday, January 12, 2025 at 2:30 - 4:00 PM
Sunday, January 26, 2025 at 2:30 - 4:00 PM
The Church of Jesus Christ
Colbern Road Restoration Branch
9525 Lake Lotawana Rd., Gate 2
Lee’s Summit, MO 64086
Contact: Mary Drummond 816-665-9051
Thursday, December 19, 2024
Restoration Bookstore Hours during the Holidays
Restoration Bookstore Hours during the Holidays
Restoration Bookstore will be closed from Tuesday, December 24 through Sunday, December 29.
It will open again on Monday, December 30, from 9:00 to 5:00, and will be open from 9:00 until noon on Tuesday, December 31.
Our regular business hours will resume on Thursday, January 2:
Monday through Thursday: 9:00 a.m. –5:00 p.m.
Friday: Closed
Saturday: 9:00 a.m.–Noon
We wanted to take this opportunity to thank all of you for your financial support in 2024. As we have stated before, as a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation, one-half of our income must come from donations, so we are grateful for each contribution. We also wanted to again thank the many volunteers who helped with the renovations to the Bookstore this past fall. We are so thankful for the financial assistance we have had and the blessings we have received.
We hope all of you have a very wonderful Christmas and many blessings in the New Year, as each of us seek to keep God’s commandments and assist Him in the establishment of Zion.
Board of Directors and Staff
Price Publishing Company
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