Greetings from Charlotte,
Bible prophecies warn that "in the last days perilous times will come" (2 Timothy 3:1). The news today certainly fits these prophecies. California, the breadbasket of the USA, is enduring one of the worst droughts in its history, while Sydney, Australia was pummeled by three days of drenching rains, flooding and hurricane-force winds that claimed lives and left millions of dollars of damage in the wake of the worst storm in almost a decade. Meanwhile in the turbulent Middle East, the killing and suffering goes on. Here in Charlotte, Mr. Meredith has completed an important semi-annual letter that will be mailed to nearly 500,000 people. Plans and registrations are proceeding for summer camps. Mr. Ames received a trophy this week commemorating the Telly Award he was given for the recent Tomorrow's World telecast entitled, "Prophetic Trends for 2015." Mr. Rick Stafford is in Trinidad this weekend for a congregational visit. This weekend, Tomorrow's World Presentations will be held in Cranbrook, British Columbia; Kingston, Ontario; and Danbury, Connecticut.
We were saddened this week to hear of the death of Mr. Pieter van der Byl, the Area Pastor for southern Africa. Mr. van der Byl apparently died of a stroke. He was much loved and respected, and he was steadfast in his support for God's Work. Mr. van der Byl lived through challenging times in southern Africa and in the Church of God. At 78 years of age, Mr. van der Byl lived 8 years beyond King David's three score and ten years. Please keep the van der Byl family and brethren in Southern Africa in your prayers.—DSW
Church Administration
Second Passover—Repeat Announcement
The Second Passover this year should be taken shortly after sunset on Saturday, May 2. This Passover is for those baptized members who were unable to take the first Passover due to unavoidable circumstances. The biblical instructions regarding this ceremony are found in Numbers 9:1-14.
Requests for Money via E-mail and Social Media—Must Read
From time to time, brethren are contacted via e-mail or social media (including Facebook) by individuals claiming to be part of the Church, often overseas, asking for financial support. If you come in contact with any individual such as this, please exercise extreme caution, as most such requests are scams conducted by people trying to get money under false pretenses. You would be wise not to send money based on a contact via e-mail or social media. And remember, the person contacting you may be impersonating someone you know. Please respond by referring any such contact to that person's local Living Church of God pastor (or HQ if you don't know who their pastor is). If there is a genuine need, their pastor will be in a better position to address it.
Carolina Singles Weekend—Deadline Approaching!
The deadline to register for the Carolina Singles Weekend is fast approaching—Monday, May 4, is the deadline. If you have already committed to coming to Charlotte, North Carolina for this special weekend, please register soon! If you are on the fence and undecided, we encourage you to come and experience what is shaping up to be a weekend you won't want to miss. Interesting and inspiring messages, fun activities, fellowship, dancing and great food await you. See you here in Charlotte!—Jonathan Bueno
Internet Department
Two New Tomorrow's World Web Site Features
This week we deployed two new TomorrowsWorld.org Web site features that we think you will find helpful. The first new feature can be found in the middle column on the Home Page. Here you will notice some of the "Most Talked About" TW Web site content. As many of you know, the Tomorrow's World Facebook community is extremely active, and this new feature will show what TW Web site content is being read, watched and shared among the online social community. Additionally, because of many requests, we have just added audio to our weekly commentaries. Now, in addition to audio of our booklets and articles, you can listen to audio of the commentaries. We hope you enjoy both of these new features.—Wyatt Ciesielka
Living Youth Program
No Online Teen Bible Study on Friday, May 1
There will be no online Teen Bible Study on Friday evening, May 1, because of the Council of Elders meetings that week. However, archives of previous Living Youth Bible Studies, including last evening's on, "How You Can Recognize True Love," presented by Mr. Sheldon Monson, can be found on the Living Youth Web site.
West Virginia Family Camp
The deadline for applying for the West Virginia Family Camp is just two weeks away—May 8. This final year looks to be our biggest and best year yet! If you're interested in attending, be sure to get your application in soon. If you have any questions, check the camp Web page or contact me at 304-425-0025 or [email protected].—Paul Shumway
Comments
Trials Test Our Faith: Jesus predicted that the end of the age would be marked by increasing trials and turmoil on a global scale (Matthew 24). Jesus also wondered aloud, "when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?" (Luke 18:8). When the challenges of life begin to mount, we need to remember that faith is one of the fruits of God's Spirit (Galatians 5:22) and that God gives His Spirit to those who trust Him and obey His instructions (Acts 5:32). We can ask for more faith (Luke 17:5), but we must also do our part to stir up God's Spirit to help us overcome our trials and fears (2 Timothy 1:6-7). We need to remember that faith comes from hearing (and studying) God's Word (Romans 10:17), which plainly states that God is faithful (Deuteronomy 7:9), that His eyes search the earth "to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him" (2 Chronicles 16:9), and that "all things work together for good to those who love God, [and] are the called according to His purpose" (Romans 8:28). James said we can be thankful for trials, because "the testing of your faith produces patience" and that is part of the perfecting process that God is working out in our lives (James 1:2-4). Let's do our part to grow in faith (by studying the examples of faith in Hebrews 11), as we strive to please God and stay focused on His Plan and Purpose.
Have a profitable Sabbath,
Douglas S. Winnail
News and Prophecy—April 23, 2015
Avoiding Divorce Prevents Heart Attacks: "Divorcees are more likely to have a heart attack than their peers who stay married, US research suggests" (BBC, April 15, 2015). According to a Duke University study of over 15,000 people, "Women who divorced once were 24% more likely to have had a heart attack in the study than women who were continuously married. The figure was 77% for those having multiple divorces" (ibid.). One researcher noted "This [heart attack] risk is comparable to that of high blood pressure or if you have diabetes, so it's right up there, it is pretty big." Sadly, re-marriage after divorce barely reduced the heart attack risk, according to the study (ibid.). Researchers believe that "chronic stress, linked to divorce, had a long-term impact on the body." Men are also at increased heart attack risk from divorce, but the risk is lower than for women (ibid.). The Bible clearly states that God actually "hates" divorce (Malachi 2:16), because He is a God of love (1 John 4:8) who has given human beings His laws for our benefit (Deuteronomy 4:1). Modern research that documents the negative impact of divorce on physical health, as well as the long-term negative effects on children, reveals "why" God hates divorce. Modern research also documents the beneficial teachings of the Bible and how they bring blessings and even "long life." For more on this important subject, read "The Mythology of Divorce."
China and Prophecy: China's influence is spreading politically and militarily around the globe. China's president Xi Jinping recently visited Islamabad to promote $46 billion in Chinese investments in Pakistan's infrastructure, and Pakistan's prime minister commented, "Friendship with China is the cornerstone of Pakistan's foreign policy… Today, we have planned for the future" (Wall Street Journal, April 20, 2015). Recently, China gave $5 billion in financing to Venezuela, on top of billions in development loans already allocated to the Latin American region (BBC, April 20, 2015). In the South China Sea, "China's island building program in the South China Sea is going unabated in such a pace it is going to take total control of some of the world's most important waterways" (International Business Times, April 18, 2015). According to the head of the U.S. Pacific Command, "If this activity continues at this pace it would give them de facto control of the maritime territory they claim" (ibid.). The Chinese are also "building an airstrip suitable for military use in contested territory in the South China Sea, according to new satellite images" (The Guardian, April 17, 2015). The growing power and influence of China has long been foretold in Bible prophecies. At the end of the age, a military power "from the north and east" (of Jerusalem) will muster an army of 200 million that will confront a European "beast" power in the Holy Land (Daniel 11:44; Revelation 9:13-19). China will be a critical player in creating such a military force. For more on this topic, be sure to read "Is This China's Century?"
Refugee Tragedies in the Mediterranean: Desperate attempts by refugees to flee to Europe from the political crises in several North African nations are ending in disasters at sea. In response to the rising number of fatalities, "The European Union proposed doubling the size of its Mediterranean search and rescue operations on Monday, as the first bodies were brought ashore of some 900 people feared killed in the deadliest shipwreck while trying to reach Europe" (Reuters, April 21, 2015). "Italy's Prime Minister Matteo Renzi compared the smuggling of migrants across the Mediterranean to the African slave trade of centuries ago. 'When we say we are in the presence of slavery we are not using the word just for effect'" (ibid.). Ill-trained and greedy smugglers have abandoned boatloads of refugees in past months, as well as made major navigational and payload errors resulting in the deaths of hundreds—just to profit from people fleeing tyranny, persecution, violence and starvation. These refugees are looking for safer, better lives with a real future and are willing to risk death to do so. As professing Christians look on from the relative peace and safety of their homes, they should be moved to pray more fervently for a time when a loving, righteous King will rule on the earth and usher in true and lasting peace! For more, read The World Ahead: What Will It Be Like?—Scott Winnail, Chris Sookdeo and Francine Prater