Living Church of God Weekly Update 6/12

Greetings from Charlotte,

It is encouraging to report that responses to Mr. Meredith’s recent semi-annual letter are coming in strong. Mr. Meredith has had a number of meetings this week and is writing articles for the Living Church News. This Sabbath, we will start a new congregation in Braselton, Georgia (about 40 miles northeast of Atlanta). Mr. Ron Poole and I will be there for the first service—Mr. Poole will pastor the new congregation. Mr. Jonathan McNair and Mr. Wyatt Ciesielka will be conducting Tomorrow’s World Special Presentations in Rochester, New York and in Mountain View, Arkansas this weekend. Later this month, Mr. Charles Ogwyn and I will be traveling to Belgium to discuss our Internet efforts in Europe and the UK at a conference in Charleroi on June 27. We are looking forward to meeting on the Sabbath of June 26 with any brethren from Holland, France and Germany who can travel to Charleroi for services. Your prayers will be appreciated for all these efforts to preach the Gospel of God’s soon-coming Kingdom.

Church Administration

Healings

We are happy to report two cases of God’s healing intervention on behalf of His people. Mr. Faniel Vilneus of the Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, congregation was hospitalized last week due to severe abdominal pain caused by intestinal blockage. The doctors feared that he would need surgery. Mr. Vilneus was anointed in the hospital and many brethren were praying for him. The blockage cleared without intervention by the doctors and Mr. Vilneus was released from the hospital. Mr. Leif Kareliusson of the Baltimore, Maryland, congregation was diagnosed in April with a fast-growing cancer. Many brethren were praying on his behalf. His surgery to remove a cancerous tumor was very successful; he experienced significantly less post-surgery pain than expected, and a subsequent test did not show any signs of cancer!

Omaha Zoo Activity

Brethren from Des Moines, Iowa; Kansas City and St. Joseph, Missouri; as well as from Topeka, Kansas, gathered with brethren in Omaha, Nebraska on June 5 and 6. On the Sabbath, the 67 in attendance enjoyed hearty singing and solid spiritual food. Deacon Ted Carper urged brethren to get fully behind God’s Work, and Associate Pastor Brian Pomicter prescribed a pattern of Christian behavior based upon Jesus’ words in Luke 9:23Luke 9:23
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23 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.  

. After services, the meeting hall was rearranged, and brethren were also filled physically with a covered-dish meal and warm fellowship. Teams of brethren also enjoyed the “Bible Bowl” trivia activity organized by Mrs. Jenelle Pomicter. Local brethren and visitors were up early on Sunday morning—as groups met to tour Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo. One of the regions best attractions, the Zoo is well known for its conservation work and cutting-edge exhibits. Recent additions include “Expedition Madagascar” and the “Skyfari” lift-chair tour. Brethren took pleasure in the good weather and in more occasions for fellowship. A picnic lunch was provided by local brethren. The positive reviews and continued interest in Omaha’s Zoo mean you will have the opportunity to join with us in future visits!—Alex Pomicter
Feast of Tabernacles 2010

Cobleskill, New York: At this point, the Best Western in Cobleskill is basically booked solid—there are no rooms open spanning the whole Feast time. Also, the site is nearing capacity, but there is still room for another 30 or 40 people. If you are interested in coming to Cobleskill, there are rooms available at other local hotels. Please see our local Feast website, www.fotcobleskill.org, for more information.

Festival (Second Tithe) Assistance Requests—USA Only (Repeat Announcement)

Attention USA Pastors: The deadline to submit Festival Assistance Request forms to the Church Administration Department is Tuesday, July 15. All forms should be properly completed by the members requesting second tithe assistance to attend the Feast this year. Then, the Area Pastors should write their recommendations/comments on the forms before submitting them to CAD. Festival Assistance Request forms are available to ministers on the MyLCG website (www.cogl.org).

Comments

Pride vs. Humility: One of the biggest problems that can limit our effectiveness in serving God and His people is the lack of humility. Even though we may be gifted in certain areas, pride and vanity can become stumbling blocks that limit how God can use the talents and abilities that He has given us. Regrettably, we seldom see these problems in ourselves. This is why the Bible repeatedly warns against pride and its consequences (see Proverbs 8:13Proverbs 8:13
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13 The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.  

; Daniel 4:37Daniel 4:37
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37 Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his ways judgment: and those that walk in pride he is able to abase.  

; Mark 7:21-23Mark 7:21-23
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21 For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, ²² Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: covetousness...: Gr. covetousnesses, wickednesses ²³ All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.  

). God clearly spells out what He is looking for in all of us. He says through the prophet Isaiah, “on this one will I look: on him who is poor [humble] and of a contrite [repentant, willing to change] spirit, and who trembles at My word” (Isaiah 66:2Isaiah 66:2
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2 For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the LORD: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.  

). Jesus taught, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:3Matthew 5:3
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3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.  

). If we are humble and teachable, if we are willing to take direction and learn from our mistakes, and if we can learn to work together with others as a team, God will use us in His time and in His way to do His Work. However, without real humility, we cannot be very effective instruments in our Father’s hands. Let’s all focus on the biblical admonition “to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8Micah 6:8
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8 He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? walk...: Heb. humble thyself to walk  

).

Have a profitable Sabbath,
Douglas S. Winnail

News and Prophecy—June 10, 2010ne 10, 2010
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Oil Spill, Fish, and Birds. Seven weeks into the BP Gulf of Mexico oil spill and experts still do not know exactly how much oil is being released a mile below the surface. However, the toll on wildlife and fisheries, and those who generate incomes from these resources, is becoming more evident. Not only are water bird populations suffering from the spill; fish populations are also being impacted, as coastal estuaries and wildlife sanctuaries are being destroyed (cbs2chicago.com, June 5, 2010ne 5, 2010
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; AP, June 9, 2010ne 9, 2010
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). Recent studies indicate that oil is spreading in plumes thousands of feet below the surface of the ocean and scientists have yet to understand what the full consequences will be on the Gulf ecosystem (The Charlotte Observer, June 9, 2010ne 9, 2010
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). Long ago, God warned the Israelite-descended nations that, because of their sins, “the land will mourn; and everyone who dwells there will waste away with the beasts of the field and the birds of the air; even the fish of the sea will be taken away” (Hosea 4:3Hosea 4:3
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3 Therefore shall the land mourn, and every one that dwelleth therein shall languish, with the beasts of the field, and with the fowls of heaven; yea, the fishes of the sea also shall be taken away.  

). God also said that because of disobedience to His laws, “I will… bring your sanctuaries to desolation…” (Leviticus 26:31Leviticus 26:31
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31 And I will make your cities waste, and bring your sanctuaries unto desolation, and I will not smell the savour of your sweet odours.  

). Mankind’s greed has led him to not look to God for help and guidance. The result will continue to be death and destruction until the Creator returns in power and majesty to teach humans the true way to an abundant life (Isaiah 2:2-4Isaiah 2:2-4
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2 And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD'S house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. established: or, prepared ³ And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. ⁴ And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. pruninghooks: or, scythes  

; John 10:10John 10:10
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10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.  

). In the meantime, God promises that the plagues on Israel will result in the land finally being given a rest from exploitation when its inhabitants are led off into captivity to other nations (Leviticus 26:34Leviticus 26:34
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34 Then shall the land enjoy her sabbaths, as long as it lieth desolate, and ye be in your enemies' land; even then shall the land rest, and enjoy her sabbaths.  

).

Oil, the Black Tip of the Iceberg. The oil industry in the Gulf of Mexico is a multi-layered industry—from drilling to catering, lodging, air and water transportation, boat repair, etc. The U.S. government halted new drilling permits for at least six months, creating panic and uncertainty in the oil industry and its corresponding support industries. Many firms now are considering towing their drilling rigs to Brazil, Trinidad, Mexico and even Africa. If they move, and the U.S. government rescinds the moratorium, it could take several years for oil firms to return to the Gulf. Such a move would devastate major revenue streams and jobs in the U.S.—completely crippling economies still struggling after Hurricane Katrina. Louisiana could lose up to 20,000 jobs over the next 12-18 months. (The Times-Picayune, May 30, 2010). God said Israel’s sins would result in its power disappearing. U.S. firms and workers have invested billions of dollars to build a nation-sustaining industry, yet this industry could disappear. God is not mocked, and we will reap what we sow (Galatians 6:7Galatians 6:7
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7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.  

)!

Cell Phones and Honey Bee Destruction. In recent years, wildlife biologists have observed drastic drops in honey bee populations. God created honey bees with a tiny store of magnetite—a natural internal magnet—that they apparently use for navigation. A recent study at Panjab University in India, and published in Current Science, discovered that the radiation given off by cell phones negatively impacts honey bee reproduction. Researchers monitored two bee populations in the study. They exposed one to cell phone radiation while a second population was protected. The hive exposed to the radiation experienced more than a 50% reduction in both pollen storage and also brood size. Queen bee egg-laying in the radiation-exposed hive was 60% less than in the protected hive. The number of bees that left the hive to forage for honey and were able to return following their quest was significantly lower among radiation-exposed bees. “At the end of the experiment, there were neither honey, nor pollen nor brood and bees in the colony, resulting in the complete loss of the colony” (www.TheHindu.com, May 28, 2010). Up to 80% of fruit and vegetable crops rely on bee pollination in order to produce fruit. God carefully created a balance, that when properly and respectfully maintained, will result in abundance (Deuteronomy 28:4-6Deuteronomy 28:4-6
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4 Blessed shall be the fruit of thy body, and the fruit of thy ground, and the fruit of thy cattle, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep. ⁵ Blessed shall be thy basket and thy store. store: or, dough, or, kneadingtroughs ⁶ Blessed shalt thou be when thou comest in, and blessed shalt thou be when thou goest out.  

). In today’s society of instant gratification and self promotion, man has designed labor-saving devices without fully understanding their impact on creation. When Christ returns and establishes His government on this earth, honey bees will again abound, as will the fruits of the field (Amos 9:13Amos 9:13
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13 Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that the plowman shall overtake the reaper, and the treader of grapes him that soweth seed; and the mountains shall drop sweet wine, and all the hills shall melt. soweth: Heb. draweth forth sweet: or, new  

).—Scott Winnail and Evo Walker