Living Church of God World Ahead Weekly Update

Let’s all truly draw close to God in this Pentecost weekend. “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7). We all need to thank God for the wonderful increase in Divine healings we have experienced this past year—there have been so many which we have described to you—also for the 9.2 percent increase in Church attendance here in the U.S., for a continuing excellent response to our Tomorrow’s World telecast. In actual responses, we have by far the greatest number of television responses to our program of any similar program!

And I want to take this opportunity to thank all of you leaders in the Church for helping out so much in this Work! Thank you. Only God knows how many thousands of hours many of you have given of your precious time and energy to serve the living Jesus Christ and His people. But I am sure that your reward will be great when Christ returns. As I get older, I realize more than ever how little I could do without the wonderful, loyal assistance of you men and women out there in the field, and of the loyal team here at our Charlotte Headquarters.

With the power of God’s Holy Spirit, we all want to do more—and we will! We all need to constantly remind ourselves, as I do, of Paul’s instruction, “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ” (Colossians 3:23-24). It is genuinely encouraging to realize how God the Father, Jesus Christ and even the elect angels are all “watching” us—protecting us, helping us and working with us. For, as Jesus said, “the very hairs of your head are all numbered” (Matthew 10:30). One of the Bible passages I am becoming more and more “in love with” is found in Psalm 33. Please notice verses 13-15: “The Lord looks from heaven; He sees all the sons of men. From the place of His dwelling He looks on all the inhabitants of the earth. He fashions their hearts individually; He considers all their works.”

Through the wonderful power of His Holy Spirit, God truly is watching over each one of us—working with us—fashioning and molding us to become full sons of the Eternal God! We all understand that He is very patient with us in spite of our mistakes. We also must understand and encourage the brethren to realize how powerful God’s Spirit is—if we cry out to God for it and yield to our Creator with all our heart, strength and mind.

As we observe this Day of Pentecost picturing the “outpouring” of God’s Holy Spirit, let us all encourage the brethren to genuinely “seek” God and the power of His Spirit. Let each of us do all we can to prepare for His Kingdom and to give of ourselves to our Creator. As this confused and deceived world truly begins to wind down, let us be those people who are truly preparing to be the kings and priests whom Christ will soon use to make this world an absolutely glorious place of peace and prosperity. May God bless and guide all of you as the Day of Pentecost approaches. Let us pray fervently for one another—and give God thanks that we can know Him and His Son Jesus Christ and the wonderful purpose for our very lives.

This coming Sunday we will once again celebrate one of God’s Holy Days—the Day of Pentecost that pictures the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and the miraculous beginning of the New Testament Church (Acts 2)—a Church that Jesus said would continue to exist down through the ages (Matthew 16:18). It is truly a privilege to be called to be part of the Church of God and to have the opportunity to help fulfill its mission of preaching the exciting gospel of the kingdom of God and to make ready a people (Luke 1:17) to serve with Jesus Christ in the coming government of God—which the world today certainly needs. A number of ministers from Charlotte will be traveling this weekend to visit local congregations: Mr. Meredith will be in Canada, Mr. Ames will be in the Atlanta area, Mr. Hernandez is off to Mexico City, I will be in the Washington, DC area and Dr. Scott Winnail, as well as Dr. Pierre, will be in the Caribbean. Please pray for the safety of everyone who will be traveling and that God will inspire and bless His people at this special time.—DSW

On June 4th we held a very successful Open Bible Study in Columbus, Georgia, titled “Where Is God’s Church Today?” We previously sent an invitational letter to Tomorrow’s World subscribers around the city of Columbus. We had a total of 38 people in attendance, 14 Church members with 24 visitors, five of whom arrived an hour early. We had 22 who had never attended a Church of God group. The majority stayed for 45 minutes, and five stayed for more than an hour, after the presentation. The brethren did an excellent job fellowshipping with the visitors and answering their questions. One man, who has been studying our literature for a number of years, was so excited to attend the Bible Study that he could hardly contain himself. He said it was such a blessing to be able to fellowship with people of like mind and was very thankful for what he has learned from the LCG Literature. We gave out about twenty booklets and most attendees ordered other booklets. One young lady was very well versed in the teachings of the Church and wanted us to know she was striving to live by God’s word. Most of our visitors are already taking our Bible Study Course. We encouraged those who aren’t to begin studying it. Several visitors want a follow-up visit from the ministry. We appreciated the HQ staff that sent out the invitations for this Bible Study.—Jack Lowe

Visit to Jamaica: It has been raining every day (sometimes heavily and at other times gently) since last Monday. However, this did not deter 105 brethren (all three Jamaican congregations represented) from gathering on the Sabbath for combined services to coincide with the visit of our Regional Director, Dr. Scott Winnail, who spoke on the Godly trait of mercy. After services, we had light snacks, giving him time to fellowship with the brethren. Later that evening he chaired our Annual General Meeting with the Trustees at the Knutsford Court Hotel. He concluded his visit with a Mini-Leadership Conference, which he also chaired at the same venue, on Sunday with nine of the leading men and five wives in attendance (the rains prevented one couple from attending). We had DVD presentations by Dr. Doug Winnail and Mr. Richard Ames. Dr. Scott Winnail made a presentation on disproving the doctrine of the “Trinity” and I made another on the “Rapture.” The conference was well-received and all commented positively on its content and timeliness. It was educational and helpful and will enable us to better serve the brethren. It also brought into focus the fact that we are part of a worldwide Work that God is using at this time to get the “Good News” into all the world.—Lascelles Fraser

With thousands of homes and businesses being either destroyed or suffering major damage (including a hospital) as a result of the May 22 tornado, there will certainly be a need for contractors and construction workers in the Joplin area in the coming weeks and months. Mr. Beyersdorfer asked us to convey that if any contractors or construction workers who attend with us are planning on coming into the Joplin area, he may be able to provide them with temporary housing in the church hall in Joplin. If anyone wants more information, please contact him at 417-623-8888.

Preparation for our various summer camps is being finalized. Summer camp is intended to enable our children to make new friends among young people who are growing up in God’s way of life. Every parent longs for their son or daughter to make friends with young people who will be a positive influence on their child. And we would love to have mentors who will reinforce the Godly values that we try to teach them at home. But since the standards are becoming so low in our society, this positive influence from friends and mentors is difficult to find.

Living Youth Camp is a place geared toward creating an atmosphere that reflects God’s way of life. Instead of teaching “tolerance for every possible sexual orientation,” for example, we teach that there are different God-given roles for men and women. We teach that “Loving God and Neighbor” actually works in our modern world, and practice making it reality at camp. If you would like to come to camp, register right away. We are nearing capacity for girl campers, but have quite a few openings for boy campers.

Staff duties are nearly covered. If you still would like to serve as staff, please register without delay. We have particular need for those who have lifeguarding skills and two more men counselors. In addition, if you could help sponsor a young person to come to camp, that would be wonderful. Speak to your local pastor to learn about a young person in your area who could use assistance getting to camp, or contact our Living Youth Staff directly.—Jonathan McNair

(For camp correspondence, contact Mr. Jonathan McNair - jmcnair@lcg.org, or Mrs. Jenny Penman, at jennypenman@lcg.org)

Attention all parents of preteen-age children! Fun, educational activities, sports, and recreation await all the preteens who attend LYC Texas Preteen Camp from July 3 through July 8. If your preteen hasn’t applied, you don’t want him or her to miss this exciting and enjoyable opportunity to learn, and make friends in a safe and supervised environment of ministers, deacons, and qualified staff! Camp will be held at Parker State Park, a well-appointed camping facility that includes an indoor activity room, a field for outdoor sports, and air-conditioned dining hall and bunk houses. This year we plan to offer canoeing, archery, field sports, woodworking, life skills, Christian Living Classes, and Team Building. As an added special event, plans are underway for a hands-on introductory astronomy class. Instruction will include peering through telescopes at the expanse of the night sky to locate and observe well-known objects of the universe.

The LYC Texas Preteen Camp has plenty of room for both boys and girls ages 8 to 12 years. Please register your preteen as soon as you can! To register, you can fill out the application online at www.livingyouth.org. If you are unable to apply online, you may receive a paper copy of the application by calling Jenny Penman at 704-844-1970. Those of us who are involved with camp are excited at the opportunities and fun that await our campers this summer! So, please register online, as soon as you can!—Dan Hall

Don’t forget! Activity and Volunteer Registration will begin on Sunday, June 26 at 12:00 noon Eastern Daylight Time. All brethren planning to attend the Feast of Tabernacles at LCG Feast sites in 2011 are encouraged to go back on the MyLCG website (www.cogl.org) on June 26 to sign up for activities and volunteer opportunities. This greatly helps the coordinators as they plan for the Feast. Festival Advisors are asked to assist those who do not have computers or Internet access. If you have any questions, please contact the Festival Office at festival@lcg.org.

The Feast site in Argentina has been changed from San Miguel del Monte to Necochea—a beautiful and more affordable site. The description of this new site is now available at the MyLCG section of www.cogl.org. The Feast will be held at Cabañas del Pinar. The cost per person, including lodging and two daily meals, is USD$270 for the entire Feast. Simultaneous translation into English will be provided. Those interested in transferring to Argentina for the Feast should register at MyLCG and contact Madeleine Lincoln-Strange at mlincoln@lcg.org or at +1-704-844-1970.

Information about the 2011 Feast site in Colombia is now available at the MyLCG section of www.cogl.org. The Feast will be held close to Armenia, in the Quindio Department, at the heart of Colombia’s coffee-growing region. The cost for accommodations for adults, including three daily meals, ranges from USD$41-45 per day, depending on the room occupancy level. Availably of simultaneous translation into English has not yet been confirmed; therefore, this site is currently only open to Spanish-speaking transfers. If you are interested in attending the Feast in Colombia, please visit MyLCG at www.cogl.org and contact Madeleine Lincoln-Strange at mlincoln@lcg.org or at +1-704-844-1970.

God’s Incredible Plan: Many professing Christians assume that God’s purpose is simply to get people to believe in Jesus so they can go to heaven. Yet, the Scriptures reveal something very different! The prophet Isaiah refers to the fact that God has a great plan (Isaiah 46:9-10). The Apostle Paul mentions that we are called to be part of God’s great plan, “being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel [purpose] of His will” (Ephesians 1:3-11). Paul also explains that this “eternal purpose” is a mystery to the world (Ephesians 3:1-11). However, God has revealed His great plan and purpose for mankind in the Holy Days. This coming Sunday we will observe the Feast of Pentecost, which pictures the beginning of the New Testament Church with the outpouring of God’s Spirit—a gift God gives to those who repent, obey and understand the incredible plan of God (see John 14:15-17; 16:13; 1 Corinthians 2). Let’s rejoice and be thankful and nourish that Spirit—as we obey God and observe the day of Pentecost—so we can continue to be led by God to finish His Work!

Nepal Leads the World in Gender Reform. The South Asian nation of Nepal decriminalized sodomy in 2007. This year (2011), census workers recorded not only the male and female genders, but also a “third gender.” “In what is believed to be a world first, Nepal’s Central Bureau of Statistics is giving official recognition to gay and transgender people—a move seen as a major victory for equality in a country that only decriminalized homosexual relationships three years ago.” Gender rights groups in Nepal have used the courts to pressure the government into adopting policies that do not necessarily represent the views of the majority in the nation. One government spokesman for the Statistics Bureau noted, “… the new categorization was an attempt to open up the traditionally conservative country up to different points of view” (www.cnn.com, May 31, 2011). God warned through the Apostle Paul that, “in the last days perilous times will come: for men will be lovers of themselves… unholy… without self-control… despisers of good” (2 Timothy 3:1-3). We are witnessing a time when our global society is increasingly despising what is good and endorsing evil instead—just as God predicted!

Can America Recover? In a recent article in The Guardian, British columnist Larry Elliot made the following, profound statement, “The high levels of violent crime, epidemic of obesity, addiction to pornography and excessive use of energy may be telling us something: the US is in an advanced state of cultural decadence.” Mr. Elliot’s article, entitled, “Decline and Fall of the American Empire,” suggests that America is experiencing classic symptoms of decline previously witnessed in the fall of both the Roman and British Empires. He ended the article with the pointed suggestion for what is needed to save America from impending disaster, “Above all, America must rediscover the qualities that originally made it great. That will not be easy” (www.guardian.co.uk, June 6, 2011). Mr. Elliot’s sobering observations about the United States parallel Bible prophecies. While Elliot views America’s decline from a historical and economic perspective, Bible prophecies warn that if God’s people turn away from Him and “despise” His commandments, then God will “break the pride of [their] power” (Leviticus 26:14-19). Today, we are watching Israelite-descended nations that once rode upon the “high places” of the earth and were the “head” of nations, sadly becoming the “tail” (Deuteronomy 28:44). This is because America and other Israelite-descended nations have chosen to move “away” from God and His ways. The qualities that once made these nations great—respecting and living by many of God’s commandments and the moral principles outlined in the Bible—must be recaptured if these nations are to regain their greatness! For more information on this important topic, see our booklet The United States and Great Britain in Prophecy.

Iran’s Growing Nuclear Weapons Capability. America’s nuclear watchdog organization recently reported that Iran now has the nuclear material for four nuclear bombs—twice the amount they were thought to possess. At one time, the United States and Israel believed that Iran’s nuclear threat was minimal; however, that threat is now increasingly real. Iran has apparently been “playing games” with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and has been hiding its true centrifuge capability. This newly heightened threat may change the way Iran is viewed on the world stage, and the way it is viewed and treated by Israel and the U.S. (www.DEBKA.com, June 3, 2011). For decades we have warned, “Watch the Middle East!” According to Bible prophecy, Jerusalem will become the “focal point” of prophetic events at the end of the age (Zechariah 12:2-3). Events in the Middle East are moving rapidly and will become more relevant to the entire world in the years ahead. Iran’s increasing nuclear weapons capabilities are just one of the sobering developments that students of Bible prophecy must keep in mind.—Marc Arseneault, James Ginn, John Meakin and Scott Winnail