Greetings from Charlotte,
This is a busy time of year for most of us, and it certainly seems to be a time of unusual trials for many. Carol and I found it humorous several years ago when we found large chunks of bread on our front porch, deposited by a bird or squirrel. This happened two times in separate years during the Days of Unleavened Bread and never happened at any other time! While we were amused by it, some trials our brethren are suffering are not so humorous: terminal illnesses, the death of loved ones, and a host of sticky problems and aggravations. Let us all pray for one another, especially as we see this world coming apart. In today's news, we find the U.S. to be divided more than ever. The Senate voted to change a tradition regarding the Supreme Court nominee: voting to close off the filibuster tactic and call for a straight up and down vote. Charges and countercharges are thrown about from both sides about very serious breaches of security at the highest and most confidential levels of government, and the media no longer puts on the front of being impartial, no longer hiding their biases. On the world stage, President Trump and Xi Jinping are meeting to discuss serious issues, North Korea continues to test longer range missiles, poison gas attacks are taking place in Syria, the U.S. and Russia are playing a dangerous game over the Middle East, South Africa is on the verge of a civil war, putting strategic minerals at risk, and it looks as though the European Union will demand Gibraltar be given to Spain as a condition to any agreement regarding Brexit. What spark will it take to set the world on fire? This may be the most important Passover and Unleavened Bread season of your life. If there was ever a time to be close to God, it is now. Let us make sure our hearts are where they should be as something major can happen literally any day.—GEW
Church Administration
Ministerial Visit to Zimbabwe and Zambia
My recent trip to Zimbabwe and Zambia was profitable and the brethren and visitors I was able to see appreciated it. We had two Bible Studies in Zambia. The first was on "What is the real solution for Zambia's problems?" Since all the visitors were members of another fellowship, I changed the second topic that I had planned and spoke instead about our Passover Commitment. While in Zambia, I looked at the possibility of a Feast site there, and encouraged the brethren there to be doing their part in preparing for the Feast. We have a good solid group of members in these two countries and they are very hungry for the Truth. Since they are very scattered, they also really appreciated the opportunity to meet each other.—Lawdi Ferreira
Charlotte BRiC Weekend (Memorial Day Weekend)—An Opportunity for Singles
All singles are invited to Charlotte, North Carolina, for the BRiC Weekend on May 26–29! This weekend will give singles of all ages an opportunity to fellowship, hear inspiring messages, and enjoy fun-filled activities. If you are interested or plan to attend, please visit our webpage at charlottelcg.org/bric (password bric) to see the schedule of events and to register. If you have any questions regarding accommodations, housing with local brethren, or details concerning the weekend, please contact Mr. Jacob Hall ([email protected]) for more information.
Living Youth Program
Live Online Teen Bible Studies Suspended Until After the Fall Festivals
The live online Teen Bible Studies are suspended until after the Fall Festivals, although Bible Studies given at some of the summer camps will be posted during the camps. In the meantime, archives of previous Living Youth Bible Studies can be found on the Living Youth Web site.—Sheldon Monson
Teen Camp Athens, Texas—Staff Application Deadline—Repeat Announcement
Because so many applications have been received for staff positions at the Texas Teen Camp, we request that anyone wanting to be considered for a staff position sign up by Sunday, April 16. Anyone applying after this date will be accepted ONLY IF space is available. As the camp fills, camper applications will take priority over adding non-essential staff positions.
Campers: If you plan to be a camper at the Teen Camp in Texas this summer, it would be wise to apply now, to ensure that you can be considered for acceptance while space permits.
Over 250 have applied already—this will be a very BIG CAMP. Sign up now!—Sheldon Monson
Mount Rainier Adventure Camp—Repeat Announcement
Congratulations to everyone who has been accepted to the 2017 Adventure Camp in Mount Rainier! Acceptance Packets and trip itineraries have been mailed out. We were unable to accept a number of people due to being at permitted capacity. If we were unable to accept you on the hike, please accept our apologies! We would encourage you to keep training and apply again next year.—Sheldon Monson
Comments
Why Self-Examination? Jesus Christ urged His audiences to "Repent, and believe in the gospel" (Mark 1:14-15) and strive to "be perfect" (Matthew 5:48). The Greek word for "repent" is metanoeo, which means "to think differently, to turn with contrition and sorrow from a former course of action—to change your life." This is a major aspect of God's Plan of Salvation. The Apostle Paul states in the context of the Passover and the Days of Unleavened Bread that, as Christians, we need to "examine" ourselves to make sure we are walking in the footsteps of Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 11:26-32). One way to examine ourselves at this time of year is to review the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20) and consider both the letter and the spirit of these basic instructions (see also Matthew 5-7; Galatians 5:18-24). As you study these scriptures, ask God to show you what you need to see about yourself—as David did in his psalm of repentance (Psalm 51). This process will help each of us to walk more perfectly in the footsteps of Jesus and develop the very mind of Christ (Philippians 2:5-10). This is what the Spring Holy Days are designed to help us do.
Have a profitable Sabbath,
Douglas S. Winnail
News and Prophecy—April 6, 2017
Brexit and Gibraltar: "The European Commission has put its 'full support' behind giving Spain a veto on the economic future of Gibraltar" (EU Observer, April 3, 2017). But "the head of Gibraltar's government has unequivocally stated that his territory will remain British despite Brexit" (Deutsche Welle, April 3, 2017). "A statement following the call from Downing Street said the [British] prime minister would 'never enter into arrangements under which the people of Gibraltar would pass under the sovereignty of another state against their freely and democratically expressed wishes'" (ibid.). "Michael Howard, the one-time head of the British Conservative Party, compared the situation in Gibraltar over the weekend to the war over the Falkland Islands" (Spiegel, April 3, 2017). Gibraltar is one of Britain's only remaining sea gates, and—like the Falklands—is strongly desired by its neighboring nation, in this case Spain. God long ago prophesied that, due to their rejection of Him, the Israelite nations would have the pride of their power broken (Leviticus 26:19), including the revocation of earlier promises of possessing the "gate of their enemies" (Genesis 22:17). For more information on the future of these important British sea gates, read or listen to "Defending Britain's Honour."
Debbie's Destruction in Australia: "Australia is surveying the devastation wrought by Cyclone Debbie, which has flooded vast tracts 'almost the size of Texas' and left at least three dead" (BBC, April 2, 2017). The aftermath and flooding, as well as the current crop destruction, is estimated to reach AU $1 billion. Tens of thousands have been forced to evacuate their homes, thousands are still without power, and this week, as rivers crest, areas of central Queensland could suffer the worst flooding in 60 years (ibid.). Although many areas affected by the cyclone were in severe drought and in need of much water, the destruction caused by Debbie is yet another weather extreme experienced by this weather-ravaged region. Bible prophecy foretells severe and extreme weather as we approach the time of the end. This current cyclone in Queensland may be just a foretaste of the "sea and the waves roaring" that Christ prophesied would happen prior to His second coming (Luke 21:25). Severe weather is nothing new. However, Bible students should expect to see more of it and greater destruction from it, as the end of the age approaches. For more biblical insights into this topic, read or listen to Who Controls the Weather?
Devastation in Colombia: Major rains often bring severe flooding. Last month witnessed extreme flooding in Peru. Last Friday it was Colombia. As Deutsche Welle reported on April 2, "A total of 17 Mocoa districts have been affected. Many houses simply no longer exist: The people in them didn't stand a chance. The ground literally gave way beneath their feet, washed away by the sudden, unexpected flood. Other victims were crushed or drowned in the debris." In another article on the same day, the paper also reported that hundreds of people were killed as the region received 30 percent of its annual rainfall in one night, with one governor noting that "hundreds of families have not yet been found and whole neighborhoods [are] missing." Many have no water, no electricity and most of the roads leading to towns and villages are destroyed. The sobering aftermath and suffering brought about by severe weather is gut-wrenching to behold. Yet the reach of the media makes it possible for many, blessed with safety and relative luxury, to witness destruction around the world from the peaceful environments of their own homes. How should we respond when we view others' suffering? Christ gave the following promise during His earthly ministry, "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted" (Matthew 5:4). And the Bible foretells a coming wonderful time when the earth will be void of death, sorrow, crying and pain (Revelation 21:4). True Christians need to allow human suffering to motivate their prayers for Christ's soon return and the peace He will usher in! For more answers to questions on this topic, read "Natural Disasters—Why?"—Scott Winnail, Francine Prater, and Chris Sookdeo