Many today do not like to conform. They like to be “different,” but so many can fall into a particular non-conformist category that they actually do conform to that particular group or rebellious ideal! Conformity is going along with the group, and peer pressure is a manifestation of this.  

Wikipedia defines peer pressure as follows: “Peer pressure refers to the influence exerted by a peer group in encouraging a person to change his or her attitudes, values, or behavior in order to conform to the group.” There are those who may be too shy or retiring or want to avoid ridicule that they conform and give into such pressure. These are problems that we can all face.

But when we become church members, we do become different from the world (James 4:4), because the church is not of the world. It is not whether or not we WANT to be different – we are left with no alternative!

We have just kept the Passover and are now keeping the Days of Unleavened Bread. The world has no idea what this is all about. Had anyone entered our services where we were footwashing, they could have easily wondered what we were doing. And not eating leaven for seven days? Whether we like it or not, our calling makes us different – but we are different, not for personal, egotistical or rebellious reasons – but purely and simply for the right reasons.

We should thank God that we are different; otherwise, we would not be on the road to eternal life in God’s Kingdom. It is a privilege to be different.   We are different because we have a marvelous calling. It is according to God’s instructions, and because we are happy to follow that lead.

Being different–for the right reasons–should suit us just fine!

Charles Dickens, the famous 19th century English author, wrote a famous novel entitled “Great Expectations.” In this work, an orphan named Pip had a difficult early life but later enjoyed “great expectations” with the help of an unknown benefactor. 

In the recent American Presidential election, Mr. Barack Obama was elected to the office of President with “great expectations” from so many about the future of that great country. Euphoria gripped the USA perhaps as never before. However, within a matter of about three weeks, his popularity rating had plummeted by about 20%! Such are the expectations of so many today that if their leaders promises don’t immediately materialize, then criticism sets in.

Many others have “great expectations” of what they want to achieve in life for themselves and their family. Sometimes success may follow, but at other times such expectations may not be met.

But all true Christians should have “great expectations” for the future for themselves, their families and for all mankind. This is what really matters as we see the world engulfed by so many seemingly insurmountable problems. It is easy to become despondent in such a chaotic world, especially if our own situation is less than promising. But if we can grasp the vision – the big picture – of what God has in store for us and make this center stage in our lives, then we too can have “great expectations.” This is not built on what human leaders may or may not be able to achieve, but what God will do according to the promises in His Word.

Romans 8:18-19 states: “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God.” That’s the future for us. We should indeed have great expectations!

Rather unusually, I would like to dedicate this Editorial to a very close friend who recently died. We can always learn from the lives of others. This is why biographies and autobiographies are written, read and dissected by millions of people around the world. The Bible is full of examples of people whom we can imitate (compare 1 Corinthians 11:1).

The person I want to mention here was neither famous nor rich, nor did he hold an high office. He was a caring, unassuming man, dedicated to serving others, but with a charisma that made him likeable and popular with those who knew him.

Terry McQuire died in early December of 2008. As a Church member since the early 1960’s, he had seen much change in the Church, particularly after the death of Mr. Herbert Armstrong in 1986. He was fond of quoting the fact that we must have a love of the truth (2 Thessalonians 2:10), and he certainly exemplified that most important requirement.

Like Ananias (Acts 22:12), Terry had a “good report” (Authorized Version). He was “highly respected” (New International Version) and “highly spoken of” by others (New American Bible). Neighbors had a “high opinion” of him (Bible in Basic English), as he “bore a good character” with them (Weymouth New Testament).

Our “good report” can be from those who may not necessarily agree with our religious views, but who can see our sincerity and that we live our lives without hypocrisy.

Anyone who knew Terry would testify that he was very much like Nathanael of whom Jesus said: “Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!” (John 1:47, Authorized Version).

Terry was generous and service-orientated. He was gentle and loyal. He unquestionably had the attributes that make a true Christian. We so often look at the great and not-so-great men and women in the Bible to learn from their successes and failures. We can, likewise, do the same with our peers, and Terry, while not perfect, certainly provided us with a terrific example.

Could our legacy from those who knew us be one of having had a love of the truth and a good report among men, and that there was no guile in us? That we were generous with a service-orientated approach, and that we were unassuming, gentle and loyal? If so, we would have done very well.

Terry endured to the end (Matthew 24:13). He is now awaiting his reward. It was inspiring to see him cope with his terminal illness, with his faith intact and undiminished in any way. He waited on God’s decision on whether or not he would be healed at this time, and he accepted the result unquestioningly. That’s another good example which all of us should follow. 

You might want to listen to the last public interview with Terry, which was recorded for our StandingWatch program, just two months before he died. It is titled, “Comfort in Terminal Sickness.” When you watch this program, you will see why Terry was a man worth remembering.

We are living in a world that can be very discouraging and depressing, and a word of encouragement can be very uplifting. One lady sends in her tithes every week together with a note of encouragement, often along the lines of, “You are always in my prayers for the great work you are doing. God bless each and every one of you as you go about His great work. May God bless you all greatly and guide and inspire you. You are all doing a fantastic job.” Encouraging words indeed!

In Acts 4:36 we read that “Joses who was also named Barnabas by the apostles (which is translated Son of Encouragement)…”   This is the first time in the Bible that he is mentioned. It shows his outstanding example of generosity when he sold a field that he owned and then took the money to the apostles to distribute to those in need (verse 37).

In Acts 9:26-27, Barnabas is seen encouraging the apostle Paul. He even took him to the apostles in Jerusalem for an introduction.   Two chapters later he encouraged new believers in Antioch (compare Acts 11:22-24). 

It has been said that encouragement is the greatest tool available to adults to boost children’s self-esteem. The psychologist Rudolph Dreikers once said, “Like a plant needs water children need encouragement.” It is through encouragement that we lead others to achieve greater things than they thought possible.

Do we encourage others? Is this part of our Christian way of life? It certainly should be! Hebrews 10:24 states, “And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works.” In a world of doom and gloom, a word of encouragement can work wonders. As the saying goes: “Flatter me, and I may not believe you. Criticize me, and I may not like you. Ignore me, and I may not forgive you. Encourage me, and I will not forget you.”

We kept the autumnal Feast days not too long ago. This should have been a time of great encouragement for all of God’s people and a time when, hopefully, we encouraged each other. These autumnal Holy Days picture Christ’s return, Satan being banished for a 1,000 years and the institution of God’s Kingdom on earth. What a future God’s people have to look forward to and a time when encouragement, not doom and gloom, will be the order of the day! 

On the Sabbath of September 13, I was walking from the car park to church services and had an accident. For no apparent reason, I fell headlong, injuring my left side and my back. As I tried to protect myself, I seemed to almost bounce off the pavement and hit my side and back on a steel post. For a couple of minutes, the pain was excruciating, but then seemed to lessen. It was very uncomfortable, and three days later I went to the hospital. After being seen by a nurse and two doctors plus having a lumbar x-ray, I was advised that there was no damage except for the very obvious bruising. Time would heal.

That morning I had prayed for a number of things, one of which was for protection. Did God not hear my prayer or was there another explanation? To the skeptic or unbeliever, this would be good ammunition for them to try and prove their case. But to me it entirely DISPROVED their point!

If God always healed us, then we would never die. If we were always protected from everything, then we would never know how others suffered when they had accidents. And aren’t we promised tests and trials? For me, the key was that God DID protect me from anything serious. I could have hit my head on that steel post, causing concussion, brain damage or even death. I could have smashed my face, had severe dental damage, injured my eyes or any number of other scenarios. Even my spectacles which were in my pocket were undamaged, and they would have been expensive to replace.

Yes, I did have a couple of weeks of pain, soreness and quite severe bruising in many places, but that was it. And yes, I believe that I really was protected from what could have been so much worse. God is the protector of His people. Let us always trust Him for His protection.

Many of God’s people will be traveling, in some cases long distances, to keep the Feast of Tabernacles. Some will drive hundreds of miles while others will fly. Let us all pray for one another that we will all be protected on the outward and return journeys and also during the Feast. This is another area where we can be of service to the brethren and put our trust in the One Who will, and does, protect us.

Have you noticed how quickly things can change? On the world scene, after a long period of constant year-on-year increase, the financial markets have been in turmoil; oil prices have rocketed; and ever increasing house prices have quickly started to head in the opposite direction.

On a more mundane level, at a sports event, the supporters of the team that is winning are usually full of enthusiasm, but if the other team starts to get the upper hand, the previously enthusiastic support can, very quickly, turn to despair. And such events can change within minutes, with supporters going from one extreme to the other.

One moment we can be happy with life, but should we receive some bad news, our attitude can so quickly change, this time within seconds. Highs and lows can be something that we can experience within a short space of time.

And with some people, those whom we may consider close friends, our relationship may change quickly due to a certain set of circumstances. I have experienced those who have expressed gratitude for things that may have been done for them, or for friendship, only to find out that in a short space of time, all seems to count for nothing.

Fallible human beings are prone to third party influence, emotions, a change of circumstances or some other factors, to the extent that things can change quickly from one situation to another–“at a rate of knots,” as they say in Britain and Australia.

Those who may be approachable one day may not be so approachable another day, either because of a change in their circumstances, their attitude or demeanor. The same may, of course, apply to us.

However, we should be very thankful that the great God is utterly reliable and is not prone to mood swings and changeability. Jesus Christ is “the same yesterday, and today, and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). God is constant, as shown in James 1:17: “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.” Malachi 3:6 also endorses this same theme: “For I am the LORD, I do not change.”

When God’s faithful and dedicated people go to Him in prayer, He will hear them. He is not subject to our human failings, changes in behavior or wrong temperament. We should be deeply grateful for God being perfect and approachable, and we know that at least with Him, unlike human beings, things will not be subject to swift changes. He is constant and perfect, and we should strive to be more like Him as each day passes.