The Elders  

Dear Brother in Christ,

GOD’S LEADERS MUST RESPOND WHEN SATAN INROADS GOD’S PEOPLE.

The College principal clearly identified Nehemiah as cupbearer, faithful to God in a foreign court.   Referring to his prayer with tears, for the rebuilding of devastated Jerusalem, he asked our thought of prayer and fasting.   He enquired whether the Christian church had compromised God’s truth , having forfeited material secular respect.   And our Jerusalem ruined.

My church enclosure included an invitation to a Ugandan Watoto Ball at a local winery Resort,   requesting formal ware, tickets at $50, with accessible   refreshments.   Paul wrote, ‘Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.’   Colossians 3:2

My beloved Lord was insulted, Who would have grieved at this brazen worldliness.

I also mourned at the worldly culture, and defective godliness. Matthew 16:26 reinforces this:
For our Lord said, ‘what shall it profit a man if he gain the whole world and lose his own soul?                                                                                       

Wineries promote and sponsor wine ( 10-12% ethyl alcohol: 20% if fortified)- not fruit drinks.
Alcohol stimulates sexual desire, whether or not church drinkers.   Sustained drinking over time would inflame this risk, and desire.    A percentage of drinkers is addicted to ethyl alcohol from the first drink ( Prof Andy Spickard, Tennessee}.   WE are commanded; ‘Not to be intoxicated with wine, but to be filled ( controlled) with the Holy Spirit. ‘No relaxation from this!
 If Blood alcohol exceeds 0.25% , we infringe the law of the land: and jeopardize the safe return of those drinking.     All sense of His holy presence would have fizzled.   ‘Denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly and godly in this present age.’ Titus 2:12

 Formal address contrasts with the informal dressing with Bible teaching or the last supper of the King of Kings. The dignity cost would be $100-200 for young women; $50--100 for men.

50 people could save $7,500 to $15, 000.   Watoto does not receive this.    100 would double this figure. $15,000 -$30,000.    Such donation to   Watoto would cover the cost of a new structure.

God’s Word addresses the formal desire: ‘Be not conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.’ Romans 12:2

Who would supply fitting music for this dancing?  Would the DJ supply Christ-exalting music: or contaminated music?   God has twice commanded us to praise Him with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs.  Ephesians 5 and Colossians 3.   Will they choose spiritual or worldly music?

From his redeemed life, Paul cried, ‘God forbid that I should glory save in the cross of our Lord Jesus, by whom I am crucified to the world and the world unto Me.’ Galatians 6;14    We cannot flirt with the world which has been put to death on the cross.   And we too are crucified with Him.

The caption is ‘Raising future leaders.(presumably in Uganda; urgently needed here)’ God’s word speaks of the great leaders of scripture: Noah, Abraham, Joseph, Moses, Joshua, David, Solomon and others.   God raised these mighty men on holy principles and dedicated surroundings.   God never compromised spiritual truth or conceded His holy stand.   A night of drinking and dancing undermines young people’s witness for our risen Lord.   Godly standards shatter.   Who would lead others to Christ - or present a closer walk in holiness?   God’s Word warns, ‘Love not the world, neither the things in the world. If any man loves the world, the love of the Father is not in Him.'  1 John 2:15

There is no stronger warning of God than, ‘We are of God, but the whole world lies under the sway (in the embrace, that is, degraded sexual union) of the wicked one.’ 1 John 5:19   

Worldliness is sexual unity with the devil. God hates it!

In defence of His holiness, and for the glory of the Lamb Who was slain    

Harrold Steward