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written by Br. Samuel Damus
The Lord has blessed us over the Labor Day weekend to once again host the fellowship meeting here in Westbury, NY. His presence was felt from the start which prepared our hearts to receive His words. We were asked if we were improving in our spiritual lives; if we had grown (in the Lord) since last year at this time. The concerns of the men of God were addressed here in this meeting "for they watch over your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy" (Hebrews 13:17). The job of the pastor is to help prepare the saints for the return of Jesus Christ; "a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish" (Ephesians 5:27) is the standard that we must attain. Br. Antoine uttered the concern that was on the minds of all the men of God that were here during the weekend: "Will the church continue to flourish when they are gone?"
We were told to examine ourselves daily to see if we are growing in the Lord. Just like that bodybuilder that stands in front of the mirror and examines his muscular definitions after completing several repetitions. When he notices an area of his body that needs to be worked on, he goes into his memory and searches for the exercise which will best develop that area. His examination is not in vain. We were told to seek Godly knowledge and understanding and to exercise ourselves unto godliness (1Timothy 4:7). Let us examine our lives and apply the word of God to those areas in our lives that is weak so that we may profit from the doctrine that we have been taught in. "Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee" (verse 16). It is easy to fall prey to the tricks of our adversary if we do not practice the truth that we are given. Our pastors are here to remind us to live for the Lord; remember they are here for our good (Romans 13:4).
We are fortunate to have men of God that are governing us who care for our well being just like the men before them. Moses was concerned about the state of the people of God when he was about to die. He said, "For I know that after my death ye will utterly corrupt yourselves, and turn aside from the way which I have commanded you; and evil will befall you in the latter days; because ye will do evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke Him to anger through the work of your hands"(Deuteronomy 31:29). Paul also shared this concern in Acts 20:29-30. He said, "For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock, also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them". We were told to hold fast to the truth just like the church in Ephesus "who tried those which said they were apostles, and were not, and has found them as liars" (Revelation 2:2). The work of the Lord will carry on but it will take men and women who are faithful and are committed to the work.
We as saints must share the same vision as our pastors; we must have the same spirit as well if the work is to continue. It was no coincidence that Elisha asked for a double portion of Elijah's spirit (2 Kings 2:9). We have hope in the history of Moses and Joshua that the work of God will continue to grow. Joshua was a faithful man unto Moses and when it came time for him to lead the people the Lord confirmed His blessing unto him in these instructions: "Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them. Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses My servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper withersoever thou goest" (Joshua 1:6-7). Joshua did just that "and Israel served the LORD all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders that over lived Joshua, and which had known all the works of the LORD, that he had done for Israel" (Joshua 24:31).
This work in Westbury, NY is a continuation of the good foundation that Br. Raoul Damus has left behind. This work did not fall apart when Br. Raoul Damus passed away but faithful men like Br. Antoine Clairant, who shared the same vision as Br. Raoul Damus continued the work and it continued to flourish twelve years later. For this work to continue on we need faithful men like Joshua, Timothy, Elisha and Br. Antoine Clairant to hold fast to this truth that we are hearing today.
This fellowship meeting was wonderful but the success of this meeting can only be measured in time. If we have grown spiritually and continue to walk as the Lord wants us to as a result of what we've heard over this Labor Day weekend then we can say that this meeting was profitable and that our faithfulness is being built to help continue the work of God.
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