Living Church of God weekly update 2/13

Greetings from Charlotte,

While the U.S. capital city has been buried in snow this week and much of the country has endured freezing temperatures, the Work of God continues to move ahead. Mr. Meredith has finished another co-worker letter and is working on a new television script. Mr. Ames reports that 157 new people along with 54 brethren attended the Tomorrow’s World Bible Lecture last Sunday in Kingston, Jamaica (see brief report below). He is also planning to do another TW Bible Lecture in Atlanta, Georgia, at the end of February. Mr. Wayne Pyle reports that responses to the telecast for the last four weeks have averaged over 5,400r 5,400
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per program. Mr. Charles Ogwyn reports that the number of people requesting contact with the Living Church of God continues to increase every month. In January 2010, 246 people made an online request for a visit (an 11.3% increase over January 2009) and more than 125,000 people visited our website—which is very encouraging. I will be in the Los Angeles, California, area this coming weekend for a Church visit and to conduct a mini-conference for Church leaders there. Your prayers for these activities are greatly appreciated.

Church Administration

Passover 2010

Important Notice to All Pastors: Passover services should not start before sunset. This year the Passover will be observed on Sunday, March 28, a little less than seven weeks from now. You should already have begun preparations, including hall arrangements, for your congregations to properly observe this solemn Feast. Let us know as soon as possible if any of the congregations you serve will need additional Passover Service supplies (bread trays and/or wine trays or glasses) or even a copy of the Passover Service CDrecording.

Additionally, let us also know of any scattered members who need to receive the Passover Service CD and letter instructions to observe it at home (this is the same Passover CD that we have been using since 2006). Please direct your requests to Dorothy McNair at the Church Administration Department by e-mail at dmcnair@lcg.org or by phone at 704-844-1960, ext. 2248, as soon as possible to ensure timely delivery.

Tomorrow’s World Special Presentation in Kingston

Mr. Richard Ames’ Tomorrow’s World special presentation in Kingston, Jamaica, last Sunday, February 7, was a resounding success. In spite of unusual problems encountered in preparation for the event (which we believe were orchestrated by the adversary), 157 subscribers attended the lecture, in addition to 54 members. We also had a record attendance for services on February 6, with a total of 103 people! We are thankful to God for blessing His Work and answering our collective prayers. Mr. and Mrs. Ames are scheduled to return to Charlotte today.

Vanuatu Living Youth Camp

The Living Youth Camp 2009 in Vanuatu was held at the Living Church of God centre at Orap on the island of Malekula. It was held over three days, December 9 to 11, and brought together 44 youths and 20 staff. Daily activities started with a morning Bible study. Topics covered on the three days were God’s Law, God’s Holy Days and Repentance. Physical activities included team sports and swimming. The educational side of the camp covered basic management and a health education program that was presented by World Vision assisted by the Wan Smol Bag theatre group.

Throughout the camp, the youth were “fueled” by enjoyable meals prepared by parent helpers. The camp ended with the beginning of the Sabbath and, during Sabbath services, the campers presented special music that they had prepared. With happiness and joy, the campers returned home feeling somewhat sad that the camp seemed to have been all too short. They all hope to return next year.—Christophe Tarey

Feast of Tabernacles 2010

International Registration

We are currently working on getting our computer system ready as we gear up for International early registration. We will be announcing the early registration date soon. As we gear up for this, we want to begin highlighting each week some of our International Feast sites, for your interest. Please note: Anchorage, Alaska will be included in the early International registration.

This week, we feature the descriptions of the sites in New Zealand and Vanuatu:

Nelson, New Zealand

Nelson is a new site for the Feast in New Zealand. This is a small city at the top of the South Island and presents itself as the “sunshine capital.” It is situated on beautiful Tasman Bay, close to the Marlborough Sounds, with a backdrop of mountains and within a half-day’s drive of several national parks. Airport, restaurants, shopping and entertainment are close at hand. We will be meeting at the Tahuna Conference Centre which will have ample room for many visitors. We look forward to having you with us.

Visitors to New Zealand would likely fly into Auckland or Christchurch. From Auckland, Nelson is accessible by a direct flight or by road. A road trip would take you down the beautiful North Island with a car-ferry trip from Wellington across to the South Island. From Christchurch, Nelson is an easy drive directly up the east coast or across the Southern Alps and up the west coast. Either drive is spectacular along very good roads. Allow half a day for the coast route and a full day for the mountain route. For more information, contact the Festival coordinator, Mr. Kinnear Penman, at kpenman@lcg.org.nz (+64 9 268 8985).

Orap, Vanuatu

The Feast of Tabernacles will again be held near Orap Village, which is home to the majority of members in the country. This is on the island of Malekula, an hour’s flight north of Port Vila, the capital. There is good air-service to Vanuatu from New Zealand, Australia and Fiji and there are daily flights from Port Vila to Norsup (the airport on Malekula). Visitors will be met at Norsup and transported to the Feast site. Vanuatu is a safe destination. It is suitable for all ages and would be an enjoyable and educational experience for children. Our members welcome guests. Most speak French with also an ability to understand English. Several speak English. Services will be held in the Church’s tabernacle. The few “live” sermons during the Feast will be in Bislama, which is the local pidgin. It is reasonably understandable by English speakers. Those sermons presented by DVD will be in either French or English, with translation provided where necessary.

This site is nota “tourist destination.” It is a natural local village peopled by subsistence farmers. There is no television. Radio and cell-phone coverage is limited. There are no supermarkets, though local markets, village stores and what grows on the land will provide necessities and plenty of organic fruits and vegetables. Fresh fish and meat will round out the menu. Does this sound Millennial? For more information, contact Festival coordinator, Mr. Kinnear Penman, at kpenman@lcg.org.nz (+64 9 268 8985).

Living University

We are now one month into the semester for Living University and the semester is off to a strong start. We currently have several applications in process for on campus study in Charlotte for the 2010-2011 academic year. Those who are interested in attending our on campus program, but who have not yet applied, are encouraged to do so. We still have a couple of “slots” for this Fall. If you have questions, please contact Dr. Scott Winnail at 704-708-2292 or, by e-mail, swinnail@livinguniv.com. For more information on the on campus program, application process or tuition and fees, visit our website at www.livinguniv.com.

Comments

The Importance of Doctrine: The Apostle Paul commended Christians in Rome because they “obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine [teaching] to which you were delivered” (Romans 6:17Romans 6:17
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17 But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. which...: Gr. whereto ye were delivered  

). He also urged the young evangelist Timothy, “take heed to yourself and to the doctrine… for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you” (1 Timothy 4:161 Timothy 4:16
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16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.  

). However, Paul warned repeatedly that “in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy…” (1 Timothy 4:1-31 Timothy 4:1-3
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4 ¹ Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; ² Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; ³ Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.  

). He also warned that as the end of the age approaches, former believers will “not endure sound doctrine” but will “have itching ears” and follow various teachers—turning their ears away from the truth to fables (2 Timothy 4:1-42 Timothy 4:1-4
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4 ¹ I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; ² Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. ³ For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; ⁴ And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.  

). In order to avoid being misled and deceived, we need to study the Scriptures carefully so that we know what the Bible really teaches—as the Bereans did (Acts 17:10-12Acts 17:10-12
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10 And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. ¹¹ These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. ¹² Therefore many of them believed; also of honourable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few.  

). We also need to exercise the spiritual discernment that comes from nourishing and using the gifts of the Holy Spirit—which God gives to those who obey His doctrines and teachings (2 Timothy 1:6-72 Timothy 1:6-7
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6 Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands. ⁷ For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.  

; Acts 5:32Acts 5:32
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32 And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.  

).

Have a profitable Sabbath,
Douglas S. Winnail

News and Prophecy—February 11, 2010

Italian-Iranian Relations Growing. Although the Italian Prime Minister recently made a visit to Israel with multiple government ministers, Italian trade relations with Iran continue to grow. Italy has repeatedly pushed for looser trade sanctions between the EU and Iran. More than 1,000 Italian firms are actively involved in trade with Iran and operate within its borders. Italian firms provide the Iranian military with products: heavy trucks and earth-moving equipment, swift boats, and satellite technology that could be used to develop spy satellites. Italy also purchases oil and gas from Iran (DEBKA, February 1, 2010). Multiple EU nations (including Italy and Germany) are supporting trade, infrastructure development and even military development within Iran. Could it be that the EU is biding its time until it has the political, financial, and military ability to take a bolder step forward to broker a peace deal that will include Europe, the Middle East and perhaps other nations? Bible prophecy indicates that such a deal will exist for a time, before the Beast Power takes total control of the Holy Land for 3.5 years before Christ returns (Psalm 83:5-8Psalm 83:5-8
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5 For they have consulted together with one consent: they are confederate against thee: consent: Heb. heart ⁶ The tabernacles of Edom, and the Ishmaelites; of Moab, and the Hagarenes; ⁷ Gebal, and Ammon, and Amalek; the Philistines with the inhabitants of Tyre; ⁸ Assur also is joined with them: they have holpen the children of Lot. Selah. holpen: Heb. been an arm to  

, Daniel 9:27Daniel 9:27
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27 And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate. the covenant: or, a covenant for the...: or, with the abominable armies the desolate: or, the desolator  

, Luke 21:24Luke 21:24
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24 And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.  

, Revelation 11:2Revelation 11:2
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2 But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months. leave out: Gr. cast out  

).

Breaking the Pride of America’s Power. Financial woes often result in massive budget cuts for businesses and nations. U.S. President Obama’s new budget aims to terminate the “lunar” program and cut back on other rocket launch facilities in the U.S. (Reuters, February 1, 2010). At the same time, the India Space Research Organization is seeking funding in order to support a seven-day manned space flight to orbit the earth (set for 2016). India has already completed an unmanned mission to the moon and plans another in 2013. They also have plans for a Mars mission in 2030 (CBC.ca, January 27, 2010). The U.S., known for decades as the world leader in space operations, appears to be giving up that prestigious status. God warned that, at the time of the end, He would break the pride of Israel’s power because of our disobedience to His commandments (Leviticus 26:14, 19Leviticus 26:14, 19
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14 But if ye will not hearken unto me, and will not do all these commandments; ¹⁹ And I will break the pride of your power; and I will make your heaven as iron, and your earth as brass:  

). That appears to be happening more and more each day!

Welcoming Paganism. In a move designed to support “religious freedom,” the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado, recently designated an outside worship location to the “earth religions” represented among the U.S. Air Force cadets. These earth religions include Pagans, Wiccans, Druids and other earth-centered believers. “Earth-centered spirituality encompasses many beliefs… that recognize multiple gods and goddesses and observe holidays tied to the seasons.” One sergeant, identifying himself as a Pagan, noted, “Being with nature and connecting with it is kind of the whole point.” “The school also has worship facilities for Protestant and Catholic Christians, Jews, Muslims and Buddhists” (AP, February 1, 2010). Freedom of religious expression is now a movement that is welcoming and highlighting a broadening array of “acceptable” options. Western society is actually fostering a renewal of paganism. Recent and current films highlight Wicca and witchcraft (e.g., the Harry Potter phenomenon), Druids, mother-earth-goddess worship, aliens, humans from another planet (Avatar), and even the re-emergence and re-popularization of the Roman pantheon (Percy Jackson and the Olympians). Satan appears to be “pulling out the stops” in terms of assisting humanity, especially the Israelite-descended nations, to move more rapidly away from the real God and “back to paganism.” God clearly likens Israel’s return to paganism to spiritual adultery (Ezekiel 16:31-59Ezekiel 16:31-59
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31 In that thou buildest thine eminent place in the head of every way, and makest thine high place in every street; and hast not been as an harlot, in that thou scornest hire; In that thou buildest...: or, In thy daughters is thine, etc ³² But as a wife that committeth adultery, which taketh strangers instead of her husband! ³³ They give gifts to all whores: but thou givest thy gifts to all thy lovers, and hirest them, that they may come unto thee on every side for thy whoredom. hirest: Heb. bribest ³⁴ And the contrary is in thee from other women in thy whoredoms, whereas none followeth thee to commit whoredoms: and in that thou givest a reward, and no reward is given unto thee, therefore thou art contrary. ³⁵ Wherefore, O harlot, hear the word of the LORD: ³⁶ Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thy filthiness was poured out, and thy nakedness discovered through thy whoredoms with thy lovers, and with all the idols of thy abominations, and by the blood of thy children, which thou didst give unto them; ³⁷ Behold, therefore I will gather all thy lovers, with whom thou hast taken pleasure, and all them that thou hast loved, with all them that thou hast hated; I will even gather them round about against thee, and will discover thy nakedness unto them, that they may see all thy nakedness. ³⁸ And I will judge thee, as women that break wedlock and shed blood are judged; and I will give thee blood in fury and jealousy. as: Heb. with judgments of ³⁹ And I will also give thee into their hand, and they shall throw down thine eminent place, and shall break down thy high places: they shall strip thee also of thy clothes, and shall take thy fair jewels, and leave thee naked and bare. thy fair...: Heb. instruments of thine ornament ⁴⁰ They shall also bring up a company against thee, and they shall stone thee with stones, and thrust thee through with their swords. ⁴¹ And they shall burn thine houses with fire, and execute judgments upon thee in the sight of many women: and I will cause thee to cease from playing the harlot, and thou also shalt give no hire any more. ⁴² So will I make my fury toward thee to rest, and my jealousy shall depart from thee, and I will be quiet, and will be no more angry. ⁴³ Because thou hast not remembered the days of thy youth, but hast fretted me in all these things; behold, therefore I also will recompense thy way upon thine head, saith the Lord GOD: and thou shalt not commit this lewdness above all thine abominations. ⁴⁴ Behold, every one that useth proverbs shall use this proverb against thee, saying, As is the mother, so is her daughter. ⁴⁵ Thou art thy mother's daughter, that lotheth her husband and her children; and thou art the sister of thy sisters, which lothed their husbands and their children: your mother was an Hittite, and your father an Amorite. ⁴⁶ And thine elder sister is Samaria, she and her daughters that dwell at thy left hand: and thy younger sister, that dwelleth at thy right hand, is Sodom and her daughters. thy younger: Heb. lesser than thou ⁴⁷ Yet hast thou not walked after their ways, nor done after their abominations: but, as if that were a very little thing, thou wast corrupted more than they in all thy ways. as if...: or, that was lothed as a small thing ⁴⁸ As I live, saith the Lord GOD, Sodom thy sister hath not done, she nor her daughters, as thou hast done, thou and thy daughters. ⁴⁹ Behold, this was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom, pride, fulness of bread, and abundance of idleness was in her and in her daughters, neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy. ⁵⁰ And they were haughty, and committed abomination before me: therefore I took them away as I saw good. ⁵¹ Neither hath Samaria committed half of thy sins; but thou hast multiplied thine abominations more than they, and hast justified thy sisters in all thine abominations which thou hast done. ⁵² Thou also, which hast judged thy sisters, bear thine own shame for thy sins that thou hast committed more abominable than they: they are more righteous than thou: yea, be thou confounded also, and bear thy shame, in that thou hast justified thy sisters. ⁵³ When I shall bring again their captivity, the captivity of Sodom and her daughters, and the captivity of Samaria and her daughters, then will I bring again the captivity of thy captives in the midst of them: ⁵⁴ That thou mayest bear thine own shame, and mayest be confounded in all that thou hast done, in that thou art a comfort unto them. ⁵⁵ When thy sisters, Sodom and her daughters, shall return to their former estate, and Samaria and her daughters shall return to their former estate, then thou and thy daughters shall return to your former estate. ⁵⁶ For thy sister Sodom was not mentioned by thy mouth in the day of thy pride, mentioned: Heb. for a report, or, hearing pride: Heb. prides, or, excellencies ⁵⁷ Before thy wickedness was discovered, as at the time of thy reproach of the daughters of Syria, and all that are round about her, the daughters of the Philistines, which despise thee round about. Syria: Heb. Aram despise: or, spoil ⁵⁸ Thou hast borne thy lewdness and thine abominations, saith the LORD. borne: Heb. borne them ⁵⁹ For thus saith the Lord GOD; I will even deal with thee as thou hast done, which hast despised the oath in breaking the covenant.  

). He also warns that if His people fail to turn from their pagan ways, very difficult times will come upon them. Christians today must be wary of a society that is increasingly paganized, lest we become desensitized to the sin that God so vehemently condemns and become accepting of it.—Scott Winnail and James Ginn