From: Monique Hummel
Greetings Saints
Please find attached, the latest edition of the Australian Restoration News, the November Issue. Thank you to those who contributed to this issue and for your continued support. There will be separate issues over the Summer period for December and January.
If you have any suggestions, or an article to contribute, please email me at this address. I would appreciate it - very much!
I apologize in advance for any distortions in the layout. I continue to check this several times each month, including sending it out via email to other Saints for review. However, from feedback received, I am only able to suggest that this may be due to the different computer software used between us.
With love from Your Sister In Christ,
Monique Hummel of Gawler East, South Australia
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AUSTRALIAN RESTORATION
AROUND AND ABOUT THE CENTRE PLACE
By High Priest Paul J. Gage, of Independence, Missouri
Copying the Apostle Paul in his letter to the Romans, in Chapter 1:7-8;
"Beloved of God, called Saints, Grace to you and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God through Jesus Christ, that you all are steadfast, and your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world."
Welcome to November! We are nearing the end of another year and what a year it has been. I will not even try to recap the year as we are all keenly aware of all the things that have transpired during 2021.
The main thing that has transpired and will all ways do so, is the mighty and powerful work of God in the world. As from the beginning, in the midst of all the turmoil, tribulation, etc. God is in control. He has a plan for each of us and for all He has created, and He will fulfill His plan. Our task is to make sure we are within the boundaries of His plan.
As the hymn says, He has been our help in ages past and is our hope for years to come. Our shelter from the stormy blast and our eternal home. Praise God!! Joshua 1:9 says: " Have I not commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed; for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest."
All the summer activities are now history and we, here in the Centre place are gearing up for winter. We are told to expect a longer, colder winter than usual, so we will prepare with God as our guide in all things.
All of the branches in the Centre Place and round the world are continuing to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The Conference of Restoration Elders (CRE) and the Pastors of Zion (POZ) continue to promote activities among the Saints and with live streaming, to the world.
Centre Place Restoration School is doing pretty well this year. The enrollment is over 200, which is very good. The remodeling of the sanctuary and foyer is in the second phase and will continue to completion, hopefully in the near future.
The missionary groups in the CRE continue to function as best they can under the current conditions in the world. Two teams will be in Africa for a couple of weeks in November.
November is a month of Thanksgiving for Americans. Many countries have their own time of thanksgiving, but we of the faith know, that we are to always give thanks in everything. Also, that our greatest thanks is to " God which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be you steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord." I Corinthians 15:57-58.
RICHES FROM THE SCRIPTURES
By Elder Neil Kerswell, of Queensland, Australia
Vol 5 Chapter 8 Samson – Part 1
The scriptures we have at this time from the Bible and book of Mormon, give us accounts of God’s people through the ages, going through a cycle that seems to constantly repeat. First comes a falling away from God’s revealed truth and slowly but surely the desire to sin grows in the people’s hearts. This brings a darkening of the mind and God begins to take away from his people even that which they had. The people then begin to receive the consequences or wages of their sin, this brings about hardship as they rely less upon the Word of God and start to more fully rely on their own strength and wisdom (which is foolishness). God reaches out to them by the power of His Spirit, offering help and assistance upon the grounds of repentance if they are willing to receive it. When they receive God’s help with gladness and seek to repent and be obedient with all their hearts, they are blessed beyond their imagination and if they will continue in obedience they can become the happiest and richest people in every way. If on the other hand God’s help is only partially received then they receive a partial blessing which often comes with lessons learnt the hard way. Israel was often amongst the latter. The history of Samson comes at a time when Israel was doing evil which brought about captivity to the Philistines as the wages of their sin. Let’s read.
[Judges 13:1] And the children of Israel did evil again in the sight of the Lord; and the Lord delivered them into the hands of Philistines forty years.
[Judges 13:2] And there was a certain man of Zorah, of the family of the Danites, whose name was Manoah; and his wife was barren, and bare not.
[Judges 13:3] And the angel of the Lord appeared unto the woman, and said unto her, Behold now, thou art barren, and bearest not; but thou shalt conceive, and bear a son.
[Judges 13:4] Now therefore beware, I pray thee, and drink not wine nor strong drink, and eat not any unclean thing;
[Judges 13:5] For, lo, thou shalt conceive, and bear a son; and no razor shall come on his head; for the child shall be a Nazarite unto God from the womb; and he shall begin to deliver Israel out of the hand of the Philistines.
[Judges 13:6] Then the woman came and told her husband, saying, A man of God came unto me, and his countenance was like the countenance of an angel of God, very terrible; but I asked him not whence he was, neither told he me his name;
[Judges 13:7] But he said unto me, behold, thou shalt conceive, and bear a son; and now drink no wine nor strong drink, neither eat any unclean thing; for the child shall be a Nazarite to God from the womb to the day of his death.
[Judges 13:8] Then Manoah entreated the Lord, and said, O my Lord, let the man of God which thou didst send come again unto us, and teach us what we shall do unto the child that shall be born.
God looked into the needs of Israel after 40 years of captivity and chose a family who couldn’t conceive to bring forth a son who would be a show of strength amongst their enemies the Philistines. God often works this way using that which is weak to break down the strong and mighty. God spoke first to Manoah’s wife giving her the good news and when she told her husband he was quick to get on board with God’s plan seeking further direction as a couple this time.
[Judges 13:9] And God hearkened to the voice of Manoah; and the angel of God came again unto the woman as she sat in the field; but Manoah her husband was not with her.
[Judges 13:10] And the woman made hast, and ran, and showed her husband, and said unto him, Behold, the man hath appeared unto me, that came unto me the other day.
[Judges 13:11] And Manoah arose, and went after his wife, and came to the man, and said unto him, Art thou the man that spakest unto the woman? And he said, I am.
[Judges 13:12] And Manoah said, Now let thy words come to pass. How shall we order the child, and how shall we do unto him?
[Judges 13:13] And the angel of the Lord said unto Manoah, Of all that I said unto the woman let her beware.
[Judges 13:14] She may not eat of any thing that cometh of the vine, neither let her drink wine or strong drink, nor eat any unclean thing; all that I commanded her let her observe.
[Judges 13:15] And Manoah said unto the angel of the Lord, I pray thee, Let us detain thee, until we shall have made ready a kid for thee.
[Judges 13:16] And the angel of the Lord said unto Manoah, Though thou detain me, I will not eat of thy bread; and if thou wilt offer a burnt offering, thou must offer it unto the Lord. For Manoah knew not that he was an angel of the Lord.
[Judges 13:17] And Manoah said unto the angel of the Lord, What is thy name, that when thy sayings come to pass we may do thee honor?
[Judges 13:18] And the angel of the Lord said unto him, Why askest thou thus after my name, seeing it is secret?
[Judges 13:19] So Manoah took a kid with a meat offering, and offered it upon a rock unto the Lord; and the angel did wondrously; and Manoah and his wife looked on.
[Judges 13:20] For it came to pass, when the flame went up toward heaven from off the altar, that the angel of the Lord ascended in the flame of the altar; and Manoah and his wife looked on it, and fell on their faces to the ground.
[Judges 13:21] But the angel of the Lord did no more appear to Manoah and to his wife. Then Manoah knew that he was an angel of the Lord.
[Judges 13:22] And Manoah said unto his wife, We shall surely die, because we have seen God.
[Judges 13:23] But his wife said unto him, If the Lord were pleased to kill us, he would not have received a burnt offering and a meat offering at our hands, neither would he have showed us all these things, nor would as at this time have told us such things as these.
[Judges 13:24] And the woman bare a son, and called his name Samson; and the child grew, and the Lord blessed him.
[Judges 13:25] And the Spirit of the Lord began to move him at times in the camp of Dan between Zorah and Eshtaol.
There is nothing given of Samson’s childhood other than God was with him and blessed him. We take up his story now once he is a man and is learning how to harness the gift God has given him. Samson can come across as arrogant but as we will see in this time of captivity Israel needed someone who would not hesitate to do what was required to break the grip of oppression.
Samson killeth a lion -- He findeth honey in the carcass -- Samson's marriage feast -- His riddle -- He spoileth thirty Philistines.
[Judges 14:1] And Samson went down to Timnath, and saw a woman in Timnath of the daughters of the Philistines.
[Judges 14:2] And he came up, and told his father and his mother, and said, I have seen a woman in Timnath of the daughters of the Philistines; now therefore get her for me to wife.
[Judges 14:3] Then his father and his mother said unto him, Is there never a woman among the daughters of thy brethren, or among all my people, that thou goest to take a wife of the uncircumcised Philistines? And Samson said unto his father, Get her for me; for she pleaseth me well.
[Judges 14:4] But his father and his mother knew not that it was of the Lord, that he sought an occasion against the Philistines; for at that time the Philistines had dominion over Israel.
Normally the righteous response of a chosen believer in God would be to keep God’s commandments and seek a partner from amongst Israel only in order the keep the chosen line to Christ pure and undefiled until Christ’s birth in the flesh, however in this case God was looking to shake up the Philistines in a manner they would understand and take notice of. Israel had a man who was a budding warrior from the time he was born, having purpose, being prepared from before the womb to inflict discomfort upon the Philistines as they had never known. To do this he would in a time soon to come have to get up close and personal. Like David who killed a lion and a bear when young to prepare him against Goliath the giant. Samson would also in like manner be given opportunity to feel God’s power flow through his powerful gift in the flesh as a practice run for what was to come.
[Judges 14:5] Then went Samson down, and his father and his mother, to Timnath, and came to the vineyards of Timnath; and, behold, a young lion roared against him.
[Judges 14:6] And the Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon him, and he rent him as he would have rent a kid, and he had nothing in his hand; but he told not his father or his mother what he had done.
[Judges 14:7] And he went down, and talked with the woman; and she pleased Samson well.
[Judges 14:8] And after a time he returned to take her, and he turned aside to see the carcass of the lion; and, behold, there was a swarm of bees and honey in the carcass of the lion.
[Judges 14:9] And he took thereof in his hands, and went on eating, and came to his father and mother, and he gave them, and they did eat; but he told not them that he had taken the honey out of the carcass of the lion.
[Judges 14:10] So his father went down unto the woman; and Samson made there a feast; for so used the young men to do.
[Judges 14:11] And it came to pass, when they saw him, that they brought thirty companions to be with him.
[Judges 14:12] And Samson said unto them, I will now put forth a riddle unto you; if ye can certainly declare it me within the seven days of the feast, and find it out, then I will give you thirty sheets and thirty change of garments;
[Judges 14:13] But if ye cannot declare it me, then shall ye give me thirty sheets and thirty change of garments. And they said unto him, Put forth thy riddle, that we may hear it.
[Judges 14:14] And he said unto them, Out of the eater came forth meat, and out of the strong came forth sweetness. And they could not in three days expound the riddle.
[Judges 14:15] And it came to pass on the seventh day, that they said unto Samson's wife, Entice thy husband, that he may declare unto us the riddle, lest we burn thee and thy father's house with fire; have ye called us to take that we have? is it not so?
[Judges 14:16] And Samson's wife wept before him, and said, Thou dost but hate me, and lovest me not; thou hast put forth a riddle unto the children of my people, and hast not told it me. And he said unto her, Behold, I have not told it my father nor my mother, and shall I tell it thee?
[Judges 14:17] And she wept before him the seven days, while their feast lasted; and it came to pass on the seventh day, that he told her, because she lay sore upon him; and she told the riddle to the children of her people.
[Judges 14:18] And the men of the city said unto him on the seventh day before the sun went down, What is sweeter than honey? and what is stronger than a lion? And he said unto them, If ye had not ploughed with my heifer, ye had not found out my riddle.
[Judges 14:19] And the Spirit of the Lord came upon him, and he went down to Ashkelon, and slew thirty men of them, and took their spoil, and gave change of garments unto them which expounded the riddle. And his anger was kindled, and he went up to his father's house.
[Judges 14:20] But Samson's wife was given to his companion, whom he had used as his friend.
Samson couldn’t be described here as having wisdom, under normal circumstances everything he has done is doomed to failure in his relationship with the Philistines who he is trying to marry into. However in seeking occasion against the Philistines to begin a shift in their outlook upon Israel he was showing
great cunning in the right place at the right time. This worked in two ways, to break the yoke of oppression The Philistines must begin for the first time to think it is possible for them to take a hit and be beaten. For Israel to take courage they needed to be able to see God was beginning to be with them again and maybe through faith it is possible to stand in the strength of the Lord and be a free people again. Samson was showing forth a resistance and a desire to overcome. This was not the end of Samson’s misadventures and provocation of the Philistines and we will read more next time. For now though the greatest lesson we can learn from this is that if God’s covenant people had held onto His word and valued it as precious above all other riches, they could have been the happiest people and the richest people in their part of the world, shining forth as the redeemed of the Lord. God would have kept potential enemies like the philistines busy amongst themselves and other nations, in fact too busy to have ever even considered enslaving God’s people. If they ever dared to think it, God would have sent angels to turn the course of their nation and cause them to fear God’s people because he is with them. If Israel could have endured in faith there would never have been a need for Samson’s particular giftset. I have probably shared before that when the road of life becomes continually bumpy and uncomfortable it is usually because we have let go of God’s word and wandered from the straight and narrow path, if this is ever encountered in your life seek instantly to repent and allow God to redirect your life for good and the road of life although filled with challenges and trials will begin to become smoother and make more sense.
May you be blessed in your lives is my Prayer in Jesus name Amen.
CHRIST COMING AGAIN
By Elder Murray G. Broughton of Euroa, Victoria, Australia
Acts 1:8-11 But ye shall receive power after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you; and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.
And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel,
Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.
Isaiah 11:6-9 The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid, and the calf, and the young lion, and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them.
And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together; and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.
And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice den.
They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain; for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.
Isaiah 11:11 And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall set his hand again the second time to recover the remnant of his people, which shall be left, from Assyria, and from Egypt, and from Pathros, and from Cush, and from Elam, and from Shinar, and from Hamath, and from the islands of the sea.
Rev 20:4-6 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them; and judgment was given unto them; and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus and for the word of God, and which had not worshiped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.
But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.
Blessed and holy are they who have part in the first resurrection; on such the second death hath no power; but they shall be priests of God and of Christ and shall reign with him a thousand years.
Matt 16:30 For the Son of Man shall come in the glory of his Father, with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.
Rev 21:3-4 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them and be their God.
And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain; for the former things are passed away.
Rev 20:1-3 And I saw an angel come down out of heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand.
And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the devil and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,
And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more till the thousand years should be fulfilled; and after that he must be loosed a little season.
Rev 20:7-8 And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison,
And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle--the number of whom is as the sand of the sea.
Rev 20:5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.
Acts 24:15 And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.
John 5:25-30 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God; and they who hear shall live.
For as the Father hath life in himself, so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself, And hath given him authority to execute judgment also because he is the Son of Man. Marvel not at this; for the hour is coming in the which all who are in their graves shall hear his voice,
And shall come forth--they who have done good, in the resurrection of the just; and they who have done evil, in the resurrection of the unjust--
And shall all be judged of the Son of Man. For as I hear, I judge, and my judgment is just;
Job 14:14 If a man die, shall he live again? All the days of my appointed time will I wait till my change come.
Job 19:25-26 For I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth;
And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God. Judgement
Rev 20:12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened; and another book was opened which is the book of life; and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.
John 14:2-3 In my Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
And when I go, I will prepare a place for you, and come again, and receive you unto myself, that where I am, ye may be also.
Luke 21:36 And what I say unto one, I say unto all: Watch ye, therefore, and pray always, and keep my commandments, that ye may be counted worthy to escape all these things, which shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man when he shall come clothed in the glory of his Father.
Glories
1Cor 15:41-42 There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for one star differeth from another star in glory.
So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption;
Second Death
Rev 20:10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night forever and ever.
Rev 20:14-15 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
Do we not want the best, to come forth in the first resurrection, why wait 1000 years? Do we not want the best glory? We want our names written in the Book of Life. We thank God that man is not the judge. We know we will get righteous judgement. Christ is coming again.
The Scattered Saints ~ Testimony From Elder Geoffrey Grayden Provided By Elder Murray Broughton
Last Sunday whilst ministering in Geelong, I passed the old Church where the Saints once met. It reminded me of a valiant Saint, Sister Herman, who always gave strong testimony. She had been searching for the meaning of Isaiah 29 and no one could help her. One day while passing the Geelong Church, she heard an audible voice saying to her, “Go in here, these are my people.” She obeyed and to her delight the preacher Brother Cornelius Butterworth was preaching on Isaiah 29.
Her search ended and she was very soon Baptized.
This ‘Scattered Saints’ space is for anyone and everyone who would like to share something with our readers and fellow Saints. Whether it be a story, favorite hymn or poem, or a testimony – please send them to our editor to include.
ZONE TIMES FOR ONLINE SERVICES
Wednesday Prayer Service & Priesthood Meeting: QLD 6:00pm NSW/VIC 7:00pm; SA 6:30pm; WA 5:00pm Sunday Worship Service: QLD 10:00am NSW/VIC 11:00am; SA 10:30am; WA 8:00am SERVICE SCHEDULE FOR NOVEMBER 2021
Sunday Worship Service Wednesday Prayer Service November 3rd Peter Archer
November 7th Sacrament In-house Alma Kerswell November 10th Danny Archer Online Peter Churchill
November 14th Noel Rowlatt November 17th Gary Melling November 21st Neville Churchill November 24th Glen Kerswell November 28th Murray Broughton
Everyone is welcome to join our online services at any time. If you, or anyone you know would like to participate, please email Elder Danny Archer at; danny@inbeta.org to register. Information on how to connect will be sent to you. Please note, you must have access to the internet for this service.
Please include in your daily prayers the following people who are in need of a blessing. Mackenzie Kerswell, Charise Morris, Olive Melling, Alma & Janice Kerswell, Gary Rowlatt, Gwen Whately, Micheal & Patty Fulton, Ellen Sheppard.
INFORMATION TO THE EDITOR
We welcome contributions to the Australian Restoration Newsletter and will endeavor to include all articles received. Contributions to the Australian Restoration News should be submitted by the 20th of each month and can be sent to Email Address: mlhummel1@bigpond.com Postal Address: 33 Bassett Crescent, Gawler East, South Australia 5118 or by calling or text messaging Mobile Number: 0428 298 466.
Editor ~ Monique Hummel
CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST RESTORATION BRANCH, KINGSTON 17 -19 Juers Street, Kingston, Queensland 4114. Pastor Elder Alma KerswellPhone 07 3800 1151
ACTIVITY SCHEDULE FOR NOVEMBER 2021
Monday 1st 6:30 pm PRIESTHOOD MEETING Online
Wed. 3rd 6:30 pm PRAYER MEETING. Elder Peter Archer
Sunday 7th 10:00 am COMMUNION SERVICE. Elder G. Melling assisted.by Priest G. Kerswell 11:10 am Favorite Hymn, Prayer & Testimony Service. Priest Glenn Kerswell.
Wed. 10th 6:30 pm PRAYER MEETING. Elder Danny Archer
Sunday 14th 10:00 am PREACHING SERVICE. Elder Noel Rowlatt
(Live streamed in)
11:10 am Class: Elder Neville Churchill
Wed 17th 6:30 pm PRAYER MEETING. Elder Gary Melling
Sunday 21st 10:00 am PREACHING SERVICE. Elder Neville Churchill
(Live streamed in)
11:10 am Class: Elder Gary Melling
Wed 24th 6:30 pm PRAYER MEETING. Priest Glenn Kerswell
Sunday 28th 10:00 am PREACHING SERVICE. Elder Murray Broughton
(Live streamed in)
11:10 am Testimony Service. Testimonies from our past. Elder N. Rowlatt
BRANCH NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS for Kingston Branch.
Birthdays. Happy Birthday Wishes to the following people on their Special Day in November. 9th George Parker 17th.Jessica VanGenderen 23rd Ngaia Thomas-Game 26th.Jacob Melling 28th Glenn Kerswell
Bereavement. Sadly, we report the passing this month of Sr. Audrey Kerswell , mother of Glenn Kerswell. Sr. Audrey had experienced ill health for a considerable time. Our deepest sympathy is extended to her sons Don and Glenn and families. The Funeral Service was conducted by Elder Neil Kerswell.
Sincere sympathy is also extended to Sr, Gwen Whately and family with the death of grandson Brett Whately, the son of Alan, who was killed in a motorbike accident in NSW on 14th October.
Sr. Gwen Whately has advised that she is recovering in hospital from injuries sustained in a recent fall and that she will be moving on the 28th of October into Aegis Shoreline Residential Aged Care. She will have a ground floor unit overlooking the ocean. She will advise further details after she moves in.
Forward Announcements for December.
Sunday 5thDecember. Kingston Branch Business Meeting will be held after the Communion Service.
Sunday 12thDecember. Kingston Branch Annual Christmas Lunch after the online Preaching Service A Reminder: All Branch Officers: Reports need to reach the Secretary by Sunday 7th. November.
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