Five years ago many of God's people gathered together to reorganize to preserve the truth and to continue doing the Work that God had given His Church to do. In order to continue doing God's Work as His instruments, together, we saw the need to do everything possible to hold on tightly to the truths revealed to the Church from God's Word. We continued to acknowledge God and His Son Jesus Christ as the foundation and Head of the Church. We looked to God and made every effort to give Him the glory and call upon His power and might for our strength.

The organization God led us to set up was formed after prayer and great deliberation. The purpose for setting up an organization was to provide what we believe is a way to do God's Work in an effective, orderly and peaceful manner to bring Him greater glory.

By whose power is all this work being done? In all that we do, who gets the glory and the praise? Who is doing the Work?

The power of God working in His people through the Holy Spirit inspires the dedication of the membership, the Council of Elders and the General Conference of Elders. None of us can take the credit for what God has done by His power through His people. Only God gets that glory. Any good done and any progress in continuing the Work of spreading the gospel of the Kingdom of God has been done by the Spirit of the living God. We are only instruments of clay in the hands of the Master Potter. In all that we do, God gets the real thanks and glory, not men.

"Not by Might"

There are special words in one of the minor prophets that I read early in my study of God's Word, and they continue to have a special meaning to me today. "Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,' says the Lord of hosts" (Zechariah 4:6).

These words recorded by Zechariah still ring in my ears when I see or hear anyone take credit for doing a work in the name of God or take the glory that belongs to Him. The mentality of saying "Look what I (or we) have done," without giving God the ultimate honor, glory and recognition for His gifts and the opportunity to use them in His service, is unwise and even dangerous. We can recall several examples in Scripture that may sober us and make us be more careful to give God all the glory and the praise for what He has done or will do in us as His instruments.

Nebuchadnezzar is one enlightening example of man failing to give the glory to the Most High God for the wonders He had done. In taking the glory and honor to himself, Nebuchadnezzar quickly lost the throne of Babylon (Daniel 4:27-37). Later Nebuchadnezzar came to acknowledge that the real gifts and opportunities originated with "the Most High [who] rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever He chooses" (Daniel 4:32-34) This example shows us that a man can learn his lesson and be restored to his position.

Luke records another example in Acts 12:21-23. Herod was celebrating in royal apparel as he sat upon his throne making a speech to the people. The people, in their superstitions, extolled Herod as a god. Herod accepted the worship from the people instead of turning their focus toward the Most High God. He did not stop the people's adulation toward him and failed to give the glory to God. The terrible price he paid was his life, which God took from him.

We of the membership, the Council and the General Conference know God will always be for us as we faithfully support and practice His ways and give Him "the glory due His name" (1 Chronicles 16:29). As long as God is with us and we are with Him, nobody can get the victory over us. So long as we give God the glory due His name, He will be with us and work in us.

Christ's Instruction

Satan has been working overtime to separate us from the love of Christ. One of the last instructions given by Christ to His apostles was: "By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another" (John 13:35).

Paul was inspired to tell us that nothing "shall be able to separate us from the love of God" (Romans 8:39). We cannot be separated from the love of Christ if we continue to have the love of God toward one another and a desire to extend that love more and more to all mankind. The love that we extend to one another is one way of showing God honor and giving Him glory.

In the early part of the 1990s we, the people of God, began to go through major attacks in this spiritual battle against Satan. That warfare has continued unabated for about 10 years. Our brethren are still scattered and confused and need special help from God's power. Our prayers must continue to go up for all of the people of God wherever they may be scattered. We will always pray for God's people that they may find the spiritual strength to overcome what Satan has thrown their way and be able to glorify God.

In our reorganized state we have been allowed by God to continue with His business. There is a big world out there and Satan does not want to see salvation revealed to its people. He is still busy blinding the eyes of those who do not believe. He will use every effort to slow down or stop God's people from doing God's business.

In the end it is the Most High God and Jesus Christ who will receive the Kingdom, the power and the glory. Hopefully we all will continue our efforts to serve God and hold tight and help our brethren to do likewise. Then we will all share in God's glory in His Kingdom.

Our love for God's Work and all our brethren, whether together or scattered, must be growing and must continue unabated. Our love for God's people must grow more and more until that perfect day. Until then, let us continue to do God's Work, give Him the glory due His name and love one another.