Greetings from Charlotte,
As 2008 comes to a close and 2009 begins, the world appears to be standing on the edge of the unknown. Many are growing more and more concerned about the future. Bible prophecy indicates that we are living in significant times. The prophetic future for Israelite nations is going to be very sobering. However, beyond the immediate difficulties, the Gospel proclaimed by Jesus Christ and the Apostles about the coming Kingdom of God is very exciting. Our mission today is to continue proclaiming that same warning message and the good news of that coming Kingdom. Your prayers for God's continued guidance and direction of His Work are an essential part of fulfilling the commission that Jesus Christ gave to His Church (see Matthew 24:14; 28:19-20 and Mark 16:15). Let's all do our part as we continue to work together in the coming year.
The Charlotte Regional Family Weekend was more successful than we anticipated. There were approximately 200 present for Sabbath services to hear Dr. Meredith's very encouraging and moving sermon on finding the purpose of life. The games, Bible studies, Sabbath services, the etiquette dinner presented by Mr. Apartian and the dance all went very well.
Please read the following announcement regarding Living University.
Living University
Spring 2009 Semester
Now is the time to enroll in Living University courses. Classes begin January 14. This semester you can delve into the book of Acts and follow the Apostle Paul and his companions as they bring God's word to the Greek-speaking world, take a fresh look at the basic doctrines of God's Church, and hone your Christian leadership skills. In Old Testament Survey, you can learn about the Hebrew Scriptures and the prophets Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and their messages. You can expand your interest and skills in working with God's youth through Camp Counseling and Leadership. You might even want to investigate the History of Christianity and explore the Christian synagogue which members of the Jerusalem Church of God built on returning to Jerusalem from Pella after the fall of Jerusalem in 70 AD, in Archaeology of the New Testament. This winter, why not invest some of your time with an in-depth encounter with one of Living University's theology courses? It can change your life. If you need more information call 704 844-1966 and Dr. Germano will be happy to help you.
Church Administration
Three Divine Healings in Central Texas
Mr. Wyatt Ciesielka, our elder serving in central Texas, reported that "last Sabbath, God very clearly blessed the central Texas area brethren by very powerfully and immediately answering three anointings!"
A member was suffering from excruciating pain in his foot. He wrote to Mr. Ciesielka, "Before the anointing… I had to crawl to get anywhere because I couldn't walk. God intervened to take the pain away yesterday during the anointing, but for some reason not yet to totally heal the underlying cause." Another member was suffering, during services, from wrist "pain so severe that it had paralyzed her hand, she was in tears, and she felt near fainting. Immediately after her anointing, "she was able to go back to services and take notes during the sermon… " The third member was suffering from sharp, piercing arthritis pain in his wrists. He wrote to Mr. Ciesielka, "After you anointed me, the pain left my wrist by the time it took you and me to return to the service. It has not returned."
Mr. Ciesielka concluded his report, "God continues to fulfill His promise to provide healings for His faithful, little flock! And we give Him all the credit and all the thanks for His kind intervention."
Philippines Update
Mr. Gideon Benitez, our Area Pastor in Mindanao (Philippines), reports that on December 18 two shopping centers in Iligan City were bombed by Islamic separatists. The two bombings were five minutes apart. At one of the shopping centers, three people were killed by the blast and 47 were injured. This shopping center is located only 100 meters from Mr. and Mrs. Benitez' home. Mr. Benitez described the explosion as earthshaking. The following day, military personnel found other undetonated bombs, which had been planted by the rebels.
It seems that the Moro Islamic Liberation Front is targeting public places such as shopping centers, buses and bus stops—and professing Christians in particular—in retaliation for military operations against their group. We thank God that none of our brethren have been hurt in these terrorist attacks in Mindanao. Our congregation in Iligan City had to change its meeting location, since our previous hall was only two buildings from one site of the bombings, and our brethren no longer felt safe there. Your continued prayers for God's protection on them are greatly appreciated.
Malaysia Living Church of God Anniversary
Malaysia member Mr. Peter Chan reports, "Fifty-six brethren in Malaysia celebrated the 16th [Global/Living] Church anniversary by staying one night in a training centre by the sea in Port Dickson on the Sabbath of December 27…. Our local elder, Mr. Rajan Moses, delivered the sermon 'Are You Converted?' stirring up the brethren to study the Bible more diligently and to spend more time on earnest prayers, so as to face the coming trials and on-going financial crisis in 2009…. That night we had a lovely buffet dinner and cake cutting ceremony with photographers clicking away cheerfully…"
Comments
Pondering Your Path: Solomon advises us in the book of Proverbs to ponder the path of our feet (Proverbs 4:26-27). The Apostle Paul admonished Christians to "walk circumspectly" and make wise decisions about life with an understanding of "what the will of the Lord is" in order to make the most of the time that we have (Ephesians 5:15-17). As we see major Bible prophecies being fulfilled or on the verge of being fulfilled, we periodically need to review our priorities and the focus of our lives and be ready to make course corrections where necessary. It would be a good idea to take some time, as 2008 comes to a close and we begin another calendar year, to "ponder the path of your feet" and evaluate how you are living your life, what your real priorities are, and where you may need to make changes so you will have God's guidance and support to navigate through the trials that are coming and be ready for the return of Jesus Christ and the arrival of the Kingdom of God.
Have a profitable Sabbath,
Douglas S. Winnail
News and Prophecy—December 31, 2008
Recession and a Return to Church. Evangelical churches around America are experiencing an upturn in attendance. Pastors from Seattle to New York City report dramatic increases in attendance, primarily since September. The global financial downturn is credited with motivating people to return to church and receive not only comfort and encouragement, but also answers. The denominations experiencing the greatest upsurge in attendance are evangelicals, noted for their focus on "the literal authority of Scripture and the importance of personal conversion, or being 'born again.'" Where mainline Protestant church attendance may be dropping, evangelical attendance is growing. Based on research by Texas State University professor David Beckworth, growth cycles in evangelical churches tend to follow recession cycles (New York Times, December 13, 2008). As the global financial downturn sets in and people become more amenable to religion and have more time to truly "ponder the path of their feet" (Proverbs 4:26), we need to make even more effort to pray that God will use the present conditions to help His lost sheep once again hear His voice (John 10:27). We also need to continue to pray that God will use these world situations to capture the attention of those whom He is calling and to motivate them to seek out His true Church. God's promise is true; all things (even a global recession) will work to the good for those who love God and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28). May God really use this current time to bring more sheep into His fold!
Closer EU-Israel Ties Push Arabs Away. In early December, the "27 European foreign ministers unanimously agreed to intensify European Union relations with Israel on several fronts." Although Israel welcomed closer future ties with Europe, "Egypt opposed the decision, despite its peace treaty with Israel." The Palestinian Authority also coldly responded to this new development between Europe and its neighbor (IsraelINN.com, December 10, 2008). God prophesied that at the end of the age there would be increasing hostility between a king of the north and a king of the south, and that the "northern king" or Beast power would have a growing presence in the Middle East, especially around Jerusalem. This Beast would be "spiritually" supported by a great "woman" or church (Daniel 11; Luke 21:20-24; Revelation 17). As the EU and Israel develop closer ties and further alienate Arab nations like Egypt, fulfillment of these ancient prophecies appears to be more real. All of this should work to increase our faith in God and in the power of His promises.
The Public View of Homosexual Rights: A Turning Tide? When California, Florida and, more recently, Arizona approved the banning of homosexual marriage, homosexual activists lamented. However, a recent Newsweek poll found that "Americans continue to find civil unions for gays and lesbians more palatable than full-fledged marriage. Fifty-five percent of respondents favored legally sanctioned unions or partnerships, while only 39 percent supported marriage rights. Both figures are notably higher than in 2004, when 40 percent backed the former and 33 percent approved of the latter. When it comes to according legal rights in specific areas to gays, the public is even more supportive." Interestingly, two-thirds of those who view homosexual marriage as a "legal" matter support it; and two-thirds of those who see homosexual marriage as a "religious" matter oppose it. Additionally, more in the younger generations support homosexual marriage than do those in the older generations. All of this is especially interesting given an incoming President who supports much of the homosexual agenda (Newsweek, December 5, 2008). As the Israelite-descended nations increasingly move further away from fearing God, is it any wonder that they will become increasingly more accepting of ways of life that the Bible condemns? God warned that "in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves… proud… unholy… without self-control… despisers of good… lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God" (2 Timothy 3:1-4). God also warned that the concepts of good and evil would be turned upside down (Isaiah 5:20). Our society today increasingly reflects these dire warnings.—Joe Brown and Scott Winnail