This has been a busy week in the recording studio. Mr. Meredith taped an introductory lecture for the Living University’s Epistles of Paul class, Mr. Ames taped a Feast of Tabernacles sermon, Mr. Apartian will tape a French sermon tomorrow and I will tape a sermon for the Feast of Trumpets. Mr. Meredith and Mr. Ames conducted a very informative and encouraging meeting for the office staff today, Thursday. Mr. Rod King is in Charlotte for several days to tape a new television program and attend a Living University Board meeting next week. Mr. Rod McNair is back in the office and reports that the Living Youth Camp Canoe trip at Voyageurs National Park went well. Dr. Scott Winnail has returned after very profitable visits with congregations and leaders in Barbados, Trinidad and Guyana. Mr. Rick Stafford reported a 10% response rate for last Sabbath’s Tomorrow’s World Bible lecture in Fort Smith, Arkansas. He will present another TW lecture this Sunday, August 2, in Springdale, Arkansas. More than 700 subscribers have been invited to attend.

 

The beginning of the next semester of Living University is just two weeks away. For those contemplating taking an LU course, now is a good time to register for classes. This will give you time to order and receive your textbooks. Featured below are descriptions of two more courses being offered during the next semester.

 

This course aims to filter the vast array of health-related knowledge available in the world today through sound biblical principles. Dr. Scott Winnail will emphasize lifestyle-related wellness, health promotion, and disease prevention within the context of a range of health topics. Focus will be on healthy decision-making, becoming a wise health consumer, healthy weight management, and other skills which will enable students to make health-enhancing choices and engage in actions to improve their own quality of life.

 

Beginning in August (fall semester in the northern hemisphere), Living University will be offering an important opportunity for our ministry. THL 516 introduces the principal laws and regulations affecting the pastor and the Church, their relationship with the State and dealing with Church members facing legal challenges. Topics include law and the pastor; pastor-Church relationship; authority, rights and privileges; liabilities, limitations and restrictions; legal liability; and the first amendment. Upon completion, a student will better understand ethical issues, laws and regulations covered and be able to apply them to selected decision-making situations. This course is designed primarily for the U.S. ministry because of its focus on U.S. law. However, many of the principles and concepts dealt with in the course will also be helpful for those ministering to God’s people in nations outside the U.S. Our primary allegiance is to God and His law, as we all know. However, God also expects us to follow the laws of the land, so long as they do not contradict His laws. As stewards of God’s flock, it is important to understand how best to serve our congregations without inviting legal intervention from the society around us. Course lectures and assignments are completed online. However this class also has an interactive seminar component for one hour each week. The seminar will take place on Wednesdays from 11-11:50 a.m. EST. For those in other countries who may not be able to meet at that timeslot, the discussions will be recorded and available for review at a later date. For questions about this course, please contact the instructor, Dr. Michael Germano, 704-844-1966 (select option 1) or email: docmpg@mchsi.com.  

 

For more information and to register for classes, please visit us online at www.livinguniv.com or call Dr. Scott Winnail at 704-844-1960, ext. 304.

 

 

Mr. Rick Stafford reports: I had estimated that we would have a 2-3% response to our Ft. Smith TW Lecture this last Sunday. We sent 500 invitations and so I prepared 20 folders and packets just to make sure. We set up 50 chairs since we also expected some 20 members. Well, were we surprised! Fifty-two guests and 26 members, for a total of 78 persons, filled our hall to standing room only! That was a 10% response. Thankfully we were able to borrow the materials we had brought for the next weeks Lecture in Fayetteville.

 

The members enthusiastically rearranged the hall and gave their chairs to the guests. Our Father has greatly blessed this congregation with more than 200% growth, and now they can expect even more, since many of the guests said they would be joining us in services. They expressed how they were impressed by the folder material, the warmth of the brethren and the powerful message from God’s Word on who we are as a nation, why our blessings are being removed and what they personally can do to prepare.

 

 

Dr. Scott Winnail, Caribbean Regional Director, visited our congregations in Barbados, Trinidad and Guyana from July 17 to 28. He reports: “This was an excellent, exciting, encouraging, and fulfilling trip. Overall, the brethren in each location are doing well. The congregations are warm and welcoming…. The brethren are all looking forward to the Feast…. They are positive about Mr. Meredith and Headquarters. They are also very thankful for all ministerial visits they receive.”

 

Mr. Simon Muthama reports: I have finished distributing the funds to the [drought] disaster victims… The victims were very grateful. They expressed their sincere and heartfelt gratitude to the entire LCG management, and thanked God for His tender mercies and the availability of the Disaster Relief Funds. They pray that God may intervene in this alarming drought for the sake of His Creation. One of the victims commented that God is a merciful Father; He cannot allow His creation to suffer beyond their strength. He is just testing our faith. Be strong and trust in God.

 

Mr. Bruce Tyler, Australasia Regional Director, and Mr. Dayrell Tanner, Philippines Regional Pastor, were in the Manila area this week. From there, Mr. Bruce Tyler wrote: “We ordained Jes Puzon last Sabbath and Dayrell is working with Basilio on how they can best serve the 15 groups they have in the Luzon and Visayas areas…. The members seem quite happy and are looking forward to the Feast.  The Quezon City members are practicing hard at rehearsals for the Talent Show at the Baguio site.  We sat in on the Saturday night practice session and they are sure putting an incredible amount of work into it all.  Mr. Bonjour may not want to come home.”

 

Mr. Gary Maney reports: The Asheville, North Carolina congregation hosted its annual campout in the beautiful Great Smoky Mountains. The campout was from July 16-20. On Friday evening, July 17, Mr. Richard Ames conducted a Bible Study for 85 campers. The Sabbath Bible Study was given by Mr. Ames with 107 brethren in attendance. Following the Bible Study the brethren enjoyed a fish-fry and covered dish meal. God blessed everyone with beautiful weather and wonderful fellowship.

 

 

So many of you have asked for details and here they are!  This coming Labor Day weekend, the Columbia, Missouri congregation will once again host an LCG Music Weekend and campout! Arrivals will begin on Friday, September 4.  We will have a Bible Study and services that Sabbath, and stage performances on Sunday under the big tent—not to mention random pickin’ & grinnin’ amongst the tents and campfires, open to all from novice to expert!  While most may plan to camp, there are also options for RVs and hotels, so there is no excuse to miss it!  The Kan-do Kampground in Montgomery City has a playground near the tent for kids and a nice swimming pool for staying cool.

 

Whether you plan to camp or stay in a hotel, please register on our website, so that we can have an accurate headcount, at www.eastmissourilcg.org (not an official LCG website) after August 2: Simply click on the link that says “LCG Music Weekend.”  Prices will vary based on the type of camping you are doing and how many people are in your party. That information—and more—will be available on the website.  For questions, please call Randy Kleindienst at 573-826-0665.  We will see you there!

—Wallace Smith

It’s a Matter of Heart: The Bible reveals that God looks on the heart (1 Samuel 16:7) and that David was chosen to be king because God saw that David was “a man after My own heart” (Acts 13:22). But what exactly did God see in David’s heart? God saw that David was a person “who will do all My will” (Acts 13:22). God saw that David was teachable and that he “loved” God’s law and meditated on it daily so he could learn God’s mind and gain God’s perspective (Psalm 119:97, 105). David did not argue with the Scriptures and look for ways to get around instructions that God clearly revealed in His word (Psalm 119:16, 18, 27). David praised God with his whole heart (Psalm 119:1-2) and repented wholeheartedly when he realized that he was wrong (Psalm 51). This is why David will reign as king over the children of Israel in the Kingdom of God (Ezekiel 34:23). We need to remember that God is examining and testing our hearts (Psalm 7:9). If our thoughts, words and actions reflect what God is looking for, we will be given the opportunity to reign with Jesus Christ and with David in the coming Kingdom (Matthew 19:28-29; Revelation 5:10). The Bible reveals that our reward will be based on what is in our heart!

 

Have a profitable Sabbath,

Douglas S. Winnail    

 

 

Further from the Truth. The leader of the Episcopal Church (United States), Katherine Jefferts Schori, recently labeled the overt focus on personal salvation in modern Christianity as “The Great Western Heresy.” She further stated this actually replaces what God is all about (AP, July 9, 2009). These comments come on the heels of her church fully admitting practicing homosexual men and women into its ministry. Both actions have caused a rift that is fueling an exodus from the church and may drive some, ultimately, back to Roman Catholicism. God warned long ago that when shepherds fail to “feed the flock” their sheep will be “scattered” and become “food for all the beasts of the field” (Ezekiel 34: 1-5). This is happening today as many church leaders fail to teach people to live by “every word of God” (Luke 4:4). Today, many religious leaders lack a clear knowledge of the Scriptures and are therefore leading people to moral and spiritual destruction (Hosea 4:6). It is sobering to see sincere people being misled by their spiritual leaders. Yet, it is exciting to know that Jesus Christ is going to return to “restore all things” in the coming Kingdom of God (Acts 3:19-21).

 

Federalizing Europe. Four years ago, Europeans voted down the European Constitution, along with its flag and national anthem, leaving the EU without an official flag or anthem. Yet, at the opening of the European Parliament two weeks ago, Eurocorps military soldiers raised a large European flag. The troops then stood at attention while the “previously official” European National Anthem, Ode to Joy, was played. One UK Independence Party leader observed, “There is no pretence anymore. The EU is to be a fully militarized state.” A European MEP also observed, “These displays are Europe attempting to take upon itself a character that the vast majority of its citizens do not want.” An Irish representative noted, “Drafting in combat soldiers to raise the European flag is politically explosive as Ireland prepares to hold a second Lisbon Treaty vote and after the Irish government denied any link between the EU and militarism” (Telegraph, July 13, 2009). A federal, militarized, fully operational European super-state is what many of the political elite in Europe want—but even more Europeans fear! Bible prophecies reveal that, at the time of the end, ten kingdoms will arise in a region north of Jerusalem as a revival of the Holy Roman Empire (see Daniel 2 and Revelation 17). These nations or groups of nations will eventually “give their power” [surrender their sovereignty] to a centralized military and governmental structure (Revelation 17:13). The attempts to forge Europe into a federal power continue to move in a direction that will fulfill Bible prophecies!

 

EU Military Potential Grows. Few Europeans are aware of the European Defense Agency that was established five years ago by the EU to foster military cooperation and integration among member countries. As one Dutch researcher comments, “Like most developments in the area of European military co-operation, the work of the EDA is happening completely outside the view of the wider general public” (euobserver.com, July 14, 2009). While progress has been slow, the EDA reflects the mindset of EU leaders. The EU Constitution mandated members “to improve their military capabilities” and French President Sarkozy has stated, “Europe cannot be a dwarf in terms of defense and a giant in economic matters.” Javier Solana, who functions as the EU Foreign Minister, sees “the need to bolster Europe’s military capabilities to match our aspirations.” These military aspirations fit the descriptions of the beast that will arise from the ashes of the Roman Empire and become a powerful military force in the world at the end of the age (see Daniel 7:7, 19-23; 11:29-45; Revelation 13:1-4).—Scott Winnail and Rod King