Greetings from Charlotte,
We are concluding a very busy week that began with the Living University graduation on Monday, where 23 credentials were awarded to 20 students. Dr. Germano and Mr. Wachowicz delivered very thought-provoking and informative addresses. On Monday afternoon, the Council of Elders meetings began with Mr. Weston presiding at all the sessions. We heard encouraging reports from Regional Directors, Area Pastors, and Department Heads. We also discussed various challenges facing God's Work at this time, including how to reach increasingly secular audiences who question the existence of God, the inspiration of Scripture, and the relevance of religion—especially Christianity—at a time when many Bible prophecies appear to be coming together on the world scene. Mr. Weston concluded the conference with an emphasis on staying focused on our mission of preaching the Gospel to a confused world and staying close to God. Following the conference, Mr. Weston and Mr. Wachowicz flew to Toronto to record new television programs and take care of business at the Canadian office. Mr. Rod McNair will be in Albany, Georgia this weekend for a Tomorrow's World Presentation and a number of other ministers from Charlotte will be making congregational visits in the region. Please keep Dr. Meredith and his family in your prayers. He is under hospice care and sleeping most of the time. Mr. Ames is doing better… he says he is at about 77½ percent on most days!—DSW
Church Administration
Charlotte BRiC Weekend—An Opportunity for Singles Next Weekend
The Charlotte Building Relationships in Christ (BRiC) weekend is scheduled to begin next Friday! Many have registered and we are looking forward to hosting this special weekend. As a reminder, our webpage is charlottelcg.org/bric (not an official LCG website) or you can contact Jacob Hall ([email protected]). For questions about the music, please contact Marcus McCullough ([email protected]).
Living Youth Program
LYP Camp Applications Deadlines
- North Carolina Preteen Camp – Camper applications must be in by June 1.
- Missouri Preteen Camp – Camper and staff applications must be in by June 1.
- Texas Teen Camp – Camper applications must be in by the end of May.
Comments
The Need for Wisdom: In the book of Proverbs, Solomon writes that one of the most important goals in life is to gain wisdom (Proverbs 4:7) and that the value of wisdom is even greater than rubies or gold (Proverbs 8:11; 16:16). He states that growing in wisdom will enable us to better discern between right and wrong, and that learning to act wisely will lead to happiness and a longer life (Proverbs 2:10-11; 3:13-16). Solomon was inspired to write the book of Proverbs to help others gain wisdom (Proverbs 1:1-6), and he reveals that the most important key to gaining wisdom is developing a proper fear of God—having a sincere desire to follow God's instructions (Proverbs 1:7-9; 9:10). It should be instructive that as Jesus Christ grew up, He "increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men" (Luke 2:52). Jesus obviously followed the instructions in Proverbs 2:1-5 to seek after wisdom, to cry out for discernment and to treasure the commands of God. The Apostle James urged us to ask God for wisdom (James 1:5), and the Apostle Paul admonished us to regularly study the Scriptures, "which are able to make you wise" (2 Timothy 3:14-17). Do a word study of "wise" and "wisdom" in the book of Proverbs and the rest of the Scriptures. As we grow in wisdom, we will be developing one of the attributes of God and of Jesus Christ (Job 9:4; Romans 16:27).
Have a profitable Sabbath,
Douglas S. Winnail
News and Prophecy—May 18, 2017
Suffering Children: In South Sudan, one million children have been "internally displaced" by war and famine, and another one million children have fled the nation (EuroNews, May 9, 2017). The BBC reports that the United Nations declared a famine in South Sudan in February, the first time this declaration has been made in any country in six years (April 4, 2017). According to the same article, "Ever since South Sudan was born [in 2011], different ethnic groups in the country have fought against each other for power and resources, like cattle." The BBC also quotes James Copnall, their expert on South Sudan, as summarizing, "The nation is divided. Lots of new anti-government groups have been formed and the battles have spread to new areas." Bible prophecy reveals that two of the four horsemen of Revelation will be war and famine (Revelation 6:3-6). While war and famine have always been with us, Bible prophecies indicate that the ride of the four horsemen will intensify to a terrifying climax as we approach the end of the age, and we will see more wars and famines with even greater consequences (vv. 7-8). The Bible also reveals that war is a result of envy, jealousy, and greed (James 4:1-3). When world leaders will do anything to hold on to their power, even sacrifice their people, war and famine are often the result. Tragically, this is the case in South Sudan and many other places in the world today. To better understand what Bible prophecies reveal about the future, read or listen to Revelation: The Mystery Unveiled!
International Clashes Increase! Iran and Saudi Arabia are waging an alarming battle of words. In response to threatening words from Saudi Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Iran's defense minister stated, "If the Saudis do anything ignorant, we will leave no area untouched except Mecca and Medina" (Reuters, May 7, 2017). Further east, where border clashes between Pakistan and Afghanistan are common, the current level of skirmishes has experts wondering if the two nations are at war (Deutsche Welle, May 7, 2017). In Europe, British leaders have expressed their willingness to "go to war over Gibraltar" if Spain pushes too hard for a say in Gibraltar's future (Deutsche Welle, April 3, 2017). Throughout history, war has been a constant between nations. However, in our enlightened, post-modern era of globalism and freedom from religion, war was supposed to become an artifact of history and not a reality on the horizon! The Bible records that when Jesus Christ was asked by His disciples what signs will announce the end of the age, He plainly said there would be "wars and rumors of wars… [and that] nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom" (Matthew 24:3-8). According to the prophecies of Jesus Christ, the threat and reality of war will continue to increase as we near the time of His return to the earth! To learn more about the real Gospel, read our article "Will Wars Ever Cease?"
The Pacific Waste Bin: The Guardian reported on a recent study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences about Henderson Island in the Pitcairn Islands. According to researchers from Tasmania and the UK, "One of the world's most remote places, an uninhabited coral atoll, is also one of its most polluted... The majority of the [18 tons of] debris—approximately 68%—was not even visible, with as many as 4,500 items per square metre buried to a depth of 10cm [4 inches]. About 13,000 new items were washing up daily." The plastic waste has global origins and is leaching chemicals into the environment and the ocean. According to The Guardian, the study determined that the amount of plastic waste on Henderson Island is equal to the amount of plastic produced worldwide in just under two seconds! Human beings have certainly not been the responsible stewards of creation that God originally intended them to be (Genesis 1:28). The Creator instructed human beings to "tend and keep" the earth (Genesis 2:15)—a role that will be put into practice when Jesus Christ returns to establish the Kingdom of God on this earth, and humanity is taught how to truly live the way God intended! For more information on this exciting topic, read "How Will the Earth Be Restored?"—Scott Winnail, Chris Sookdeo, and Francine Prater