The Return Celebration Continues
"We will not hide them from their children, shewing to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done. 5 For he established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children: 6 That the generation to come might know them, even the children which should be born; who should arise and declare them to their children: 7 That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments: 8 And might not be as their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation; a generation that set not their heart aright, and whose spirit was not stedfast with God" (Psalm 78:4-8).
Daddy Bailey has sounded the alarm, "Return." He exhorts to return to a time when God was the greater in our lives. It is a call for all to practice the true values of Christian living and the traditions of the House of Prayer faith. We must heed this warning. If we obey the preaching of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the children will learn true House of Prayer. "Only take heed to thyself, and keep thy soul diligently, lest thou forget the things which thine eyes have seen, and lest they depart from thy heart all the days of thy life: but teach them thy sons, and thy sons' sons; 10 Specially the day that thou stoodest before the LORD thy God in Horeb, when the LORD said unto me, Gather me the people together, and I will make them hear my words, that they may learn to fear me all the days that they shall live upon the earth, and that they may teach their children" (Deuteronomy 4:9-10). Through our actions, children are groomed. They are watching us.
When we consistently, ungrudgingly, and proudly wear our uniforms, they will follow suit. When they see that we halt in our tracks and cease all talking when the scripture or an epistle is being read or when someone prays, they will unconsciously do the same. When we take out our bibles and our reference books for further research when studying for Sunday School, they will realize that preparing for and attending Sunday School is even more important than regular school. When we respect the center aisle for its sanctity and honor the holy mountain when we walk across the sanctuary floor, whether in the front or the back, they too will respect God's House. "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it" (Proverbs 22:6). .
Putting our children on auxiliaries, attending service regularly, or going to Sunday School is nothing new. Daddy Grace wrote these words, "Be it known that the Houses of Prayer must each be organized from the cradle up. Both boys and girls, young and old, everybody must join and work on some auxiliary."
"Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD: 5 And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. 6 And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: 7 And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. 8 And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes. 9 And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates" (Deuteronomy 6:4-9).
Many people are worshipping with zeal but not according to knowledge. Some of our homes lack the tools and evidence of our faith and belief. There was a time when every member of the House of Prayer had something from the House of Prayer in their home. It was a magazine on the table, a convocation placard in the window, a bottle of blessed olive oil on the shelf, and many of samples of our faith. The pictures would be displayed in our cars and on our jobs. Pieces of magazine would go with our children to school and would bless our tea. Our products even became a source of medicine that was effective through our faith in God. The House of Prayer was everywhere for House of Prayer children so that we would never forget. It would be a reminder for us everywhere we went. "There was not a word of all that Moses commanded, which Joshua read not before all the congregation of Israel, with the women, and the little ones, and the strangers that were conversant among them" (Joshua 8:35). It triggered teachings that we learned and started conversations to instill that information in us. The words of Jesus would ring through our heads through the voice of the Prophet, our pastors, preachers, saints, and parents. Unfortunately, some began to conform to other ways and ceased to embrace the old way (Jeremiah 6:18). They forgot the true and perfect way of holiness. They could not see its beauty.
Haggai 2:3, "Who is left among you that saw this house in her first glory? and how do ye see it now? is it not in your eyes in comparison of it as nothing?" As we remember the strengths of our past, let us also remember that God has given us a rainbow. We have hope. The alarm is still sounding. Daddy Bailey is still calling for a Return, and they are coming. They are coming to Sunrise Service. They are coming to Noon Day Service. They are coming to General Gospel Service. They are coming to Sunday School. They are coming strong and they are bringing their children with them. Children are on auxiliaries and wearing uniforms. Children are gaining better understanding of our history and our faith. They are taking hold of the proofs of the United House of Prayer faith according to the Word of God. It is in our children that we realize a greater day is coming. "The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former, saith the Lord of hosts: and in this place will I give peace, saith the Lord of hosts" (Haggai 2:9).
Return is not a program or project. It is a way of life. It is not a private contract only available to a few. If you desire the blessings of God upon you and your children, then Return is for you. However, God requires some adjustments and actions on your part. Move with the mind of Noah. Save your family. Bring them all into the Ark. It's going to rain again.
"Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: 7 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. 8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. 9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. 10 For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: 11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. 12 For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. 13 Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree: and it shall be to the LORD for a name, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off" (Isaiah 55:6-13 ).