Greetings from Charlotte,
As America focuses on internal political squabbles, fanatical Muslims are crucifying professing Christians in the Middle East and shouting anti-Semitic slogans in Europe—while the Roman Pope continues to reach out to "separated" brothers and sisters in Protestant organizations. Bible prophecies appear to be coming alive every day in the news. Here in Charlotte, Dr. Meredith has been writing and holding meetings. Mr. and Mrs. Ames are at the Living Youth Teen Camp in Ohio this weekend. Mr. Hernandez is due back in Charlotte this evening from his trip to Europe and the Canary Islands. Mr. and Mrs. Rod King have returned to Australia and are settling in to Melbourne. The Living Church of God had an average worldwide attendance in the month of June of almost 8,800. This was an increase of approximately 5.2% over June of 2013—which is very encouraging. Registration for Fall Semester Living University classes will continue for three more weeks (see announcement below). Last weekend, 28 visitors attended a Tomorrow's World Presentation by Mr. Jonathan McNair in Rochester, NY. This weekend, Mr. McNair will conduct another TWP in Corning, NY. Your prayers for these activities to preach the gospel are much appreciated.—DSW
Church Administration
Miracle in South Dakota
Mr. Brian Pomicter conveyed to us the following report of a miracle experienced by a couple, Victor and Connie Espinoza, who are newly baptized members in South Dakota: "Before the night fades into tomorrow, I want to share with everyone what happened to Victor last evening while he was at work on his second job. He was the recipient of a true miracle from God. Victor works at one of our local Pizza Ranch's and is in charge of doing the deep fryer for the chicken. The temperature of the fryer is run at 375° and his hands and forearms are bare while he works with this machine. Last night he came home from work at about 9:30 p.m. so we could work on the hay and he told me that while he was working with the fryer, there was a loud bang and the back of the machine expelled a lot of grease for some unknown reason, sending it flying up the walls and covering his arms! He was black! His boss, a young woman, just about fainted, and several of the younger employees, thinking he was going to be losing all of the skin on his arms were panicking. Victor went over to the sink and began to wash himself off from the 375° hot oil and he didn't even have a single blister! Everyone was standing around totally stunned! Praise God!—Constance Standley Espinoza
Living Youth Programs
Ohio Teen Camp Update: Happy Sabbath from 290 enthusiastic campers and staff at Living Youth Camp in beautiful Delaware, Ohio. We are enjoying challenging and dynamic classes including speech, dance, archery, flag football and water skiing, to name a few. God has blessed us with sunshine and cool breezes in the midst of thunderstorms for several days in a row, so thank you to everyone who has been praying for this year's camp to be a success. We are broadcasting morning Bible studies, evening reflection, and special events such as the upcoming talent show and staff vs. camper football game on https://new.livestream.com/livingyouth. Please join us! You can also see photos and videos posted daily on our Facebook page at LCG - Living Youth.—Sheldon Monson and Jason Fritts
Media
Television Operations: New Feast of Tabernacles Feast film promo!
New "Our Philadelphian Mission" Feast of Tabernacles Feast film promo now posted! Visit the 2014 Feast of Tabernacles Web site to see the video and to get a sneak peek at what this year's Feast Film will look like. Just click the "Feast of Tabernacles" link at LCG.org.
Feast of Tabernacles
Feast of Tabernacles, Lake of the Ozarks—Repeat Announcement
We are looking for chorale directors for both the Festival chorale and the children's choir for the Lake of the Ozarks Feast site. We also need more people to sing in each choir as well as more volunteers for all departments. If you have not already done so, please go to the MyLCG Church Web site and register to serve.—Gene Hilgenberg, Lake of the Ozarks Festival Site Coordinator ([email protected]; 417-483-8365)
Festival (Second Tithe) Assistance Requests—U.S. Only—Repeat Announcement
The deadline to submit Festival (Second Tithe) Assistance requests was July 15 and we are processing the forms. Please be patient while we process your request, as it might take a few weeks to receive an answer. As a reminder, our policy is that those who request assistance should attend their assigned Feast site.
Living University
Registration for 1st (Fall) Semester
Registration for Fall Semester classes is now underway. Just three weeks remain until classes begin on August 18. Students may register anytime between now and then. But don't wait too long or your textbooks will not arrive in time for the semester to begin. For those who have never taken a Living University course, you will need to enroll in the University first, and then register for your selected course. Enrolling is quick and easy—it will only take 5-10 minutes. Just visit our Web site and click on the "Apply Now" link. We are offering 16 exciting courses this semester. For a complete listing of "2014 Fall Semester Courses" and more details on each, visit Living University Web site. To make application to Living University, to register for courses, and to find out more, please visit the www.livinguniv.com Web site. For additional information, please contact Mrs. Michelle Broussard at 704-708-2294 or [email protected]. As a reminder, for those currently in their 3rd tithe year at the start of the semester, you are eligible for a 50% reduction in tuition. Just be sure to submit the Application for Financial Aid sheet available on the LU Web page. In addition, those age 65 and over are eligible to "audit" one LU course per semester and have the tuition waived. You are only responsible for the cost of textbooks and the $35 USD technology fee. Those completing homeschool high school programs can also take LU courses. See the Web site for more details or contact us with your questions.
Comments
The Value of Friendship: The Scriptures reveal that if we want to have friends, we must learn to be friendly and that true friends are supportive during difficult times (Proverbs 17:17; 18:24). Friends are people we can confide in and share important thoughts and concerns with (John 15:15). Real friends may not always agree with us, and sometimes they will tell us things about our ideas, our plans and ourselves that we need to hear, but may not want to hear (Proverbs 27:6, 17). The Bible also cautions that we should choose our friends carefully because we are influenced by the company we keep (Proverbs 12:26). Abraham chose to be a friend of God by obeying His instructions to leave his former way of life (Genesis 12:1-4; James 2:23). Abraham understood that friendship with the world and its ways would alienate him from God (James 4:4). Jesus told His disciples "Your are my friends if you do whatever I command you" (John 15:14). Let's seek to be a "friend" of God by following His instructions and choose to be friends with those who will not influence us in the wrong way.
Have a profitable Sabbath,
Douglas S. Winnail
News and Prophecy—July 31, 2014
Anti-Semitism in Europe: As Arab-Israeli tensions rise in the Middle East, Arab attacks against Jews in Europe are increasing. "European cities are braced for violent clashes this weekend as people take to the streets to protest against Israeli military operations in Gaza. Thousands of police are being deployed in cities across Europe with Berlin alone deploying 1,500 police officers… and authorities in Paris have sought to ban outright marches planned for this weekend. The protests have triggered warnings that the spectre of anti-Semitism has returned to haunt Europe." During the protests, "marchers have chanted 'Jews to the gas chambers'" (Telegraph, July 26, 2014). Last month, four individuals were killed at the Jewish Museum in Brussels in an apparent anti-Semitic attack, while in Paris protesters carried banners reading "Death to Jews" and "Slit Jews' throats" (Sunday Times, June 1, 2014). The anti-Semitic protests appear to be driven by Muslims living in Paris and Brussels, and many European Jews are fleeing Europe to Israel, the U.S., Canada and Britain. Bible prophecies reveal that end-time events will be dangerous for the Israelite peoples, including Jews, because of their sinful ways and forsaking God (Jeremiah 5). The prophet Jeremiah also wrote, "Judah has gone into captivity, under affliction and hard servitude; she dwells among the nations, she finds no rest; all her persecutors overtake her in dire straits… among all her lovers she has none to comfort her. All her friends have dealt treacherously with her; they have become her enemies" (Lamentations 1:2-3). We are watching these ancient prophecies come alive today. For more positive prophecies regarding Israel in the latter days, see our telecast, Jerusalem: City of Peace.
Ebola Outbreak in West Africa: "Since March, there have been 1,201 cases of Ebola and 672 deaths in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone" (Agence France Presse, July 28, 2014). Reports indicate "there is no end in sight to the outbreak, and cases are expected to mount in the coming months" (ibid.). The Ebola outbreak in Liberia was thought to have been curbed, but it reemerged more than three weeks later. Health care workers believe it was reintroduced to the country through border crossings from other African nations (ibid.). Ebola (hemorrhagic fever) is characterized by flu-like symptoms and eventually multiple organ dysfunction. The disease has been linked with the consumption or contact with "bushmeat" (fruit bats, monkeys, etc.) and has a fatality rate between 50-90%. Previous Ebola outbreaks have occurred in the central African countries of Sudan, Uganda and the Congo (Wall Street Journal, July 29, 2014). Long ago, God revealed that certain animals should not be eaten and that ignoring these instructions would lead to outbreaks of incurable diseases (see Deuteronomy 14 and 28:27). Jesus Christ stated that one of the signs of the end of the age would be "pestilences" or disease epidemics (Luke 21:11). We should expect to see more outbreaks of fatal diseases as we draw closer to the end of the age. For more on this topic, read our informative article, "Disease Epidemics: The Fourth Horseman."
Pope Visits Pentecostals: "Pope Francis has become the first pope to visit a Pentecostal church [in southern Italy], pressing his outreach to evangelicals who represent Catholicism's greatest competition for Christian souls around the globe" (Associated Press, July 28, 2014). "Speaking to some 350 Pentecostal faithful in the church, Francis apologized for Catholic persecution of Pentecostals during Italy's fascist regime and stressed that there was unity in diversity within Christianity" (ibid.). Late last month, "The Pope met for three hours… with several evangelical and charismatic leaders over lunch at his residence inside the Vatican… Bishop Tony Palmer, ecumenical officer of the Communion of Evangelical Episcopal Churches (CEEC), said the meeting could lead towards concrete steps for a visible unity after 500 years of division... The Pope stressed focusing on areas of friendship and companionship in Christ, not on doctrinal differences" (Catholic Register, July 10, 2014). Students of history and Bible prophecy know that Protestants came from the Catholic Church and retained much Catholic teaching even after the Reformation. The book of Revelation (see Revelation 17) reveals at the end of the age, a great world-church known as the "mother of harlots" or "mother church" will emerge and seek to lure back her separated children (see Isaiah 47:8). We are beginning to see long-lost daughters move back to the "mother church." For more on this subject, be sure to read our article, "Who Is the Harlot of Revelation?"—Scott Winnail, Sue Bennett, Marc Arseneault and Chris Sookdeo