Clive & Rachael Barber & family.
On the Australian Coat of Arms, there are two animals, a kangaroo and an Emu and the symbolism is not without its significance in the fact that neither of these animals can travel backward. Yet, in this land of apparent success and advancement, a degeneration of alarming speed is taking place before our eyes. This demise, not only within society but in Christendom, ought not to take the Christian by surprise, with numerous NT passages instructive to identify conditions that will prevail in the closing days of this dispensation. In the midst of it all, there's still the possibility and opportunity for spreading the gospel and maintaining vibrant, scriptural testimony to the peerless name of our Lord Jesus Christ. During the last two years, our travel has been curtailed by the global pandemic, meaning we've focused our attention locally. At times, there has been the opportunity to travel interstate visiting assemblies, but most of our time has been spent in Queensland. In our home assembly at Cooroy, we're thankful to be able to meet unhindered in the hall for meetings. Since the pandemic, we changed the time of the Sunday gospel meeting from 7 PM to 2:30 PM, opening an opportunity for a teaching meeting each Sunday evening. From July to December last year, we took the subject of dispensationalism, with an encouraging number of visitors coming in from the area. This year, we have continued, focusing our attention on the book of Romans. The interest has been sustained, with around 30+ visitors coming to hear the Word of God. In likeness to Paul's desire for the Romans, we too pray that there will be fruit as a result. Parallel to this work, we commenced a Monday evening online teaching session to cover subjects confronting a rising generation. The Cooroy assembly advertised this to assemblies Australia-wide, and we were encouraged by the sustained interest shown. We pray for lasting blessing. On the 14th of August last year, our esteemed Brother, 15-year-old Geoff Bertram, was called home to Heaven in an accident while mustering cattle. While this did not take our God by surprise, it was a terrible shock to many people, and the outpouring of grief and support at the funeral bore testimony to this special boy. Found in a diary since his home call was a prayer of Geoff to reach his whole school with the gospel. Since the funeral, the Lord has blessed in salvation. Six months before Geoff died, he wrote a gospel tract and asked his parents if they could buy him a commercial printer to distribute it. This wasn't the only tract this young man wrote, and his vision and testimony for the Lord were outstanding. Since then, more than 50,000 copies of the tract have been printed and distributed in a booklet form. We have counted it an honor to have some part in this work. Please pray for his parents, Darren and Allana Bertram, and siblings Tommy and Callum as they grieve. For free copies of the tracts, please contact: cliverach@yahoo.com.au
The opportunity for erecting Gospel Billboards in main cities and highways is still available to us, and we give thanks for this open door. On each sign, we display a gospel verse, slogan to read the Bible contact number and website: www.read-yourbible.net.
Through these contact points, many opportunities arise to interact with folk, post Bibles, and put fellow Saints in touch with precious souls. Last week, a gentleman and his wife sat at our kitchen table who made contact through a sign. He told us of having been saved as a young boy in Canada but wasted his Christian life. Seeing the gospel billboard had touched his heart and he felt compelled to make contact. We continue to pray for the thousands of precious souls that read these verses daily. Many set out in the morning with absolutely no intention of reading a Bible, only to be confronted with the Word of God. Pray that the company we advertise through will continue to be favorable in allowing it to continue.
We are thankful to report that the family is well, and the children continue to bring much pleasure to our hearts. As parents, we continually need the wisdom of God, especially with the transition occurring from childhood into adulthood. James assures us that wisdom is readily available from God Himself, and with the Word of God and the Spirit of God, we are well provided for. May we be increasingly impressed by our blessed Lord Jesus, that our love may be sincere and without hypocrisy. How easy it can be to fall into the trap of Form but no feeling, head knowledge but no heart, worshiping the Bible or the assembly, but not the Lord. May God preserve us from such and stir up a spirit of true devotion, that Christ may be formed in us.
Spring 2022
Written by Clive & Rachael Barber - Australia