Living Church of God World Ahead Weekly Update

Mr. Apartian’s funeral seemed to go very well and we were glad that he could be so honored. There were dozens of visitors from all over the world—including many of our French Elders from Europe, the Caribbean and Canada. We also had a number of visitors and ministers from other Church of God groups. Mr. Ames, Dr. Winnail and I and other ministers here in Charlotte were able to talk with a number of ministers from these other Church of God groups. Our visits were warm and friendly. However we did not discuss any type of merger! Considering the division, confusion and turmoil that exists in many of the Churches of God today, I hope that we can all reach out to our fellow ministers and brethren at this time.

First of all, we need to pray fervently for everyone involved! Pray that God will guide them and keep them in His will. Pray that they may continue to believe the Truth and want to do the Work. Pray that God will bring with us those who should come and would loyally and cooperatively help us “do the Work.” For we certainly need more dedicated members and ministers, and I pray that all of us will wholeheartedly welcome them with open arms if they sincerely and lovingly want to come with us. Right now, as many of you know, hundreds of members are in the process of leaving the United Church of God. Many could go into little factions and end up doing nothing as far as reaching the entire world with the Gospel of the Kingdom. So we do need to cry out to God with all our hearts that some of them would come with us and that He would grant us favor in their sight and help them to realize that we do have a depth of love and unity that many of them have not been told about.

Fellow ministers, I urge all of you to stir yourselves to reach out to these people and these ministers, to visit them as soon as you are able, to work with your Elders and members to make them feel welcome and to help them in every way to become part of the group that is really “doing the Work” at this time. We do not want to pressure or “proselytize” anyone in a wrong way. But it is certainly not wrong to reach out to them and let them know that we love them and would love to have them with us to help us do the Work and get the message out to a very confused world.

It was interesting to note that severaldifferent ministers from some of these other groups mentioned enthusiastically how “warm” and “comfortable” they felt with us and among our people. Hopefully it was an “eye-opening” experience for them and that God will guide it for the good. Brethren, most of you realize that a huge Work needs to be done within the next few years—far beyond anything we have done thus far. I can sincerely tell you that I can see more “light at the end of the tunnel” than I have ever seen before as far as the end of this age coming relatively soon and the foundations being prepared for a truly big Work to be done by us! As you know, Christ Himself has just opened the Discovery Channel to us, has given us a much better time on Word Network—which is already producing very good fruit—and now we are about to begin telecasting on the “God TV” Network all over the earth! Other doors are opening. Other doors will open through our prayers and fasting.

The “60 Minutes” television show on Sunday night had a special section—the strongest of its kind that I have ever seen—entitled, “Day of Reckoning.” It described how states and municipalities all over the nation are just about to go bankrupt! It indicated that millions of government and state and local workers would perhaps need to be laid off within the next year or two. It indicated that some of this would begin happening later this Spring and start happening “big time” within a year or so. These things will cause our people to really be upset—it may precipitate job riots, food riots and even race riots by those who are carnal and do not understand. So we need to reach our peoples soon while we have the opportunity!

In closing, I hope all of you will urge your brethren who are able to give generously right away—before the tax deadline—so we can afford to hire more ministers—including some who may come with us from these other groups; so we can go on better television times and better stations; so we can have a truly powerful impact on our nation while God gives us life and breath.

The tempo of life here at the office has slowed just a bit after all the activity surrounding the funeral of Mr. Apartian. Mr. Daniel Apartian, son of Mr. and Mrs. Apartian, offered the first of several eulogies that remembered Mr. Apartian’s warmth and humor and also honored his decades-long commitment to the Work of God. Mr. Meredith read a number of scriptures about the resurrection as he remembered his long-time friend and fellow minister. We were very pleased to welcome a number of French-speaking visitors from Europe, Canada and the Caribbean—in addition to visitors from other areas of the USA. This week, Mr. Meredith, Mr. Ames, Mr. King and Mr. Weston are taping new Tomorrow’s World programs. Last weekend’s TW program by Mr. Wally Smith entitled “Prophets and Pretenders” is expected to draw more than 6,100 responses! The Tomorrow’s World Special Presentations last weekend in Lagos, Nigeria were attended by a number of new people (see below). Looking back over the year, it is exciting to report that we were able to conduct 102 TWSPs in the USA, Canada, Caribbean and parts of Europe and Africa and that these presentations drew over 3,400 new people! Please note that registration for Spring Semester Living University classes is now underway, and that classes will begin on Wednesday, January 12 (see announcement below). —DSW

Sunday family activities will be held at the Sun Valley High School gym and begin at 11:00 a.m. Tables will be set up for fellowshipping as well as for lunch (lunch is not provided). During lunch time you can participate in the Fourth Annual Bake Sale Silent Auction—it is sure to be an event you will not want to miss! The address for the activities Sunday is:

Mr. James Sweat reports: A healing – from the brink of death! Just days before turning 18, Kellie Wyatt, known for her effervescent personality, was involved in an automobile accident that rendered her comatose with exceedingly critical injuries including pelvis fractures in at least four places, broken ribs, a collapsed lung, damage to the spleen, severe head trauma, pressure and bleeding in the brain and the most serious and nearly always lethal, internal decapitation.

The healing was incremental, but each miraculous step was monumental, serving to encourage and increase the faith and intensity of our requests to God for complete healing. After repair surgeries and eleven days of unconsciousness, Kellie was awake, able to move and respond, although robotic, detached and unemotional. She was anointed again as cards, calls and prayers continued relentless. Less than six weeks from the brink of death, the Nashville congregation was stunned, yet so inspired when Kellie walked into Sabbath Services (with the help of a walker, and a little tired) bubbly, smiling and as gregarious as ever!

Lagos, Nigeria: On December 17 and 18, two Tomorrow’s World Special Presentations were held where the Lagos congregation meets for Sabbath services. The theme of the TWSPs was “Why Were You Created?” On December 17, Mr. Oladele Akin-Ogundeji made a presentation on “Why You Were Born” with 10 people in attendance, including three members of the Lagos congregation. A few hours after Sabbath services on December 18, 2010, Mr. Akin-Ogundeji made a second presentation on the topic “You Must be Re-Created”—11 people, including five brethren, were in attendance. We planned for a maximum number of seven visitors, and God answered our prayers! The primary method of publicity was a banner display in the locality.

The TWSPs were organized to educate the community where the Lagos congregation meets on the true Sabbath, and booklets were available on various topics: Satan’s Counterfeit Christianity, Your Ultimate Destiny and Christian Baptism. The audience was positive and enthusiastic about the truth they heard but were shocked regarding the false teachings that they have been fed. This shock was reflected in the many questions they asked on each day. They expressed their desire to learn more and requested subscriptions to the Tomorrow’s World magazine.

In light of the enthusiasm of the audience, the kind of questions they asked and the pervading spurious teachings in the community, the Lagos congregation plans to host a monthly video show of the Tomorrow’s World Telecast DVD on the last Sabbath day of each month beginning January 2011. Furthermore, the next TWSPs will be on “Why Are There So Many Churches?”

There are only 2 ½ weeks remaining before the start of our next semester. Classes begin on Wednesday, January 12. Students planning to take classes next semester should register as soon as possible and order their text books immediately, so as to be prepared for the first day of class. A complete list of course offerings is available on the Living University website.

Living University is currently accepting applications for a limited number of on-campus students who desire the exciting opportunity to study and work at the Church’s international headquarters in Charlotte, North Carolina! Applications for the 2011-2012 academic year should be initiated online via the university website. Additional details and requirements for on-campus applications can be found online, as can an estimate of expected costs. Because space is limited, interested students should complete and submit all application materials by March 1, 2011. Those with no previous college should submit college entrance test scores (GRE or SAT) as a part of their application. You can find out more about these exams through a local high school guidance office or local college testing service. Homeschooled students are welcome to apply (see website guidelines for details). With our on-campus students, we are also looking for students who have skills that they may be able to contribute to the Work or University in some way, through a student work study position. At this time we can only accept on-campus students from the U.S. Our hope is to expand this opportunity to international students in future years. Interested students are encouraged to contact Dr. Scott Winnail.

Please be reminded that all U.S. contributions dated in December that are postmarked on or before December 31, 2010 will be counted as a donation for 2010, and may be tax-deductible in 2010, even if we receive it in January 2011. So, it is to your advantage to be certain that any December donations are dated and postmarked no later than December 31. For those who claim charitable deductions on their tax returns in the USA, the following advice was contained in a recent tax law update. Please note: Your tax return should NOT be filed until you receive your year-end receipt for donations. The Internal Revenue Service requires this receipt as part of the tax documents to claim this deduction. We plan to issue year-end donation receipts on or about January 20, 2011.

As we close the calendar year for 2010, we want to extend a hearty thank you to all our members and co-workers for your generous financial support, and for your prayers for every aspect of the Work. The harvest is plentiful and the laborers are few, but collectively we are able to accomplish much. Please continue to pray for God’s guidance in everything that we do at Headquarters, and in the local congregations around the world as we begin 2011.—Davy Crockett

Rejoice in the Truth! As the Roman calendar year comes to a close, much of the Western world gets caught up in the revelry of Christmas and New Year’s celebrations. Although the Christmas season is erroneously linked with the birth of Jesus, few seem to know or care today that these festivities date back to pagan pre-Christian practices that the Bible actually condemns (Jeremiah 10:2). Long ago, God commanded His “chosen people”not to borrow pagan practices to worship Him (Deuteronomy 12:1-2, 29-32). Yet over the centuries, misguided religious leaders adopted these pagan practices and gave them “Christian” names—ignoring biblical commands and spreading lies about when Christ was born and what He taught—confirming the biblical statement that Satan has deceived the entire world (Revelation 12:9). At this time of year, when the world revels in borrowed pagan customs, we have much to be thankful for. We have been called out of darkness (1 Peter 2:9) to understand the truth of God (John 16:13). Jesus told His disciples, “You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32)—free from the deception that Satan has fostered on an unsuspecting world. We can certainly “rejoice” in our calling and the wonderful truth found in God’s Word (1 Corinthians 13:6).

South America Moves Away from USA: In late November, representatives from a dozen South American nations gathered in Georgetown, Guyana, for a meeting of the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR). The meeting focused on unity and working more closely together as neighboring nations. Leaders pledged to the spread of democracy in the region, as well as efforts to “…construct our economy through democratic institutions, making decisions to open our economies, reconstruct our social services, and promote common infrastructure.” Comments were made about the success of UNASUR and the lack of success of the U.S.-led Organization of American States (VenezuelanAnalysis.com, November 29, 2010). The U.S. has traditionally had a major impact on the political and economic environments of South America. However this influence is not only weakening, but is being shunned by many South American nations. Long ago, God warned the Israelites that He would “break the pride of your power” if they chose to ignore His commandments and statutes (Leviticus 26:14-19). Bible prophecies also warn of a time when Israelite-descended nations will “chase after” their former allies (lovers), only to be rejected by them (Jeremiah 3:1; 4:30; Hosea 2:5-7). We are watching these prophecies being fulfilled today!

Masses Pray to the “Virgin Mother”: On December 9 and the weekend that followed, six million people descended on Mexico City during the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, in order to visit the Basilica of Guadalupe. This shrine contains a cape reported to be miraculously imprinted with an image of Mary—following a vision by a farmer in 1531. Approximately 95,000 people per hour filed past the cape for a fleeting glance at the holy relic. Simultaneously in Turin, Italy, a replica of the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe was displayed, while in Rome, the Pope recognized this “holy” day and the loving holiness of the “Blessed Mother” in his Sunday mass (Zenit.org, December 13, 2010). Although God chose Mary as the physical mother of Jesus, there is no evidence that Mary remained a virgin following Christ’s birth. In fact, the Scriptures clearly indicate that Mary had additional children (Mark 3:31-35; 6:3; Galatians 1:19). The First Commandment states that God is to be the object of our worship (Exodus 20:1-3). Jesus Christ alone is our Mediator (1 Timothy 2:5). Nowhere does Scripture indicate that any human, including Mary, should be worshiped. Yet, over a billion people around the world pray regularly to Mary. This is one reason why God prophesied that one day soon, the celebration of man-made feasts will end (Amos 5:21; 8:10) and will be replaced by the Feasts of the Lord (Zechariah 14:16-18). For more information on this topic, see our free booklet The Holy Days: God’s Master Plan.

Witchcraft, Fantasy and REAL Demons: The huge successes of the Harry Potter and Twilight movies, as well as TV shows featuring witches, vampires and werewolves have captured the interest of younger generations. Proponents say, “Fantasy is harmless.” But is it really? In a recent interview, a Catholic priest with years of experience performing exorcisms warned “parents who allow their children to be desensitized to ‘the dark world’ by books and films… Harry Potter and these Twilight vampires glamorize the power of evil and this has lead to many, many cases of possession among young people… It may begin with a child or teenager simply ‘playing around’ with the occult, but that seemingly harmless act is ‘opening a window’ to possession” (www.insidecatholic.com, July 20, 2010). Not surprisingly, the Bible contains many strong warnings about this dark side of the spirit world (Leviticus 19:31; 20:6, 27; Deuteronomy 18:10-12). The Scriptures state that Satan and his demons are real (Luke 10:17) and they exert a deceptively powerful influence in this world (2 Corinthians 4:4; Ephesians 2:1-3). However, Christians DO NOT need to fear demons who can only influence IF given the opportunity to do so. The apostle James advised that we must learn to recognize and resist the devil “and he will flee from you” (1 Peter 5:8-9; James 4:7). Books, movies and TV shows that “sanitize” satanic practices only desensitize people to the very real power of these evil practices. This is why Christians should avoid satanic and demonic practices in a world that is moving away from God.—Deborah Lincoln-Strange and Scott Winnail