Living Church of God World Ahead Weekly Update

Greetings to all of you and love from all of us here in Charlotte! We are very grateful for the love and loyalty shown by virtually all of you and for the wonderful blessings showered upon us during the recent festival season. As some of you may have heard, we were blessed to have more than 9,000 people attending the Feast of Tabernacles this autumn! That is a new record—for which we are thankful! Most of all, of course, God is concerned with the spiritual strength of our brethren and we certainly do want to emphasize that which is more important. However, we are grateful that God is adding to our numbers in the Church, and that we are continuing to have wonderful responses to the telecast nearly every week and that the impact of this Work around the world is certainly growing—especially as prophetic events speed up.

However, my immediate purpose in writing all of you at this time is to explain the reason for the upcoming Church FAST on the Sabbath of December 17. There were many instances in biblical times when God’s servants called for a fast. Remember how—as the “Day of the Lord approaches”—God’s true ministers were exhorted: “Consecrate a fast, call a sacred assembly; gather the elders and all the inhabitants of the land into the house of the Lord your God, and cry out to the Lord. Alas for the day! For the day of the Lord is at hand; it shall come as destruction from the Almighty” (Joel 1:14-15).

When Daniel sorrowed over the “desolations of Jerusalem,” and the need for God’s intervention, what did he do? “Then I set my face toward the Lord God to make request by prayer and supplications, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes. And I prayed to the Lord my God, and made confession, and said, ‘O Lord, great and awesome God, who keeps His covenant and mercy with those who love Him, and with those who keep His commandments’” (Daniel 9:3-4). And when the soon-to-be Apostle Paul was struck down and blinded to humble him and to “awaken” him, notice what he did: “Then Saul arose from the ground, and when his eyes were opened he saw no one. But they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank” (Acts 9:8-9).

Dear brethren, as you know from our previous announcements, we have had an entire series of extremely serious illnesses among God’s people in recent months—including a number of our leading people directly involved in the Work. We all know that the radiant faith of people like Peter and Paul is very seldom found among God’s people today. We remember Jesus’s statement: “Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?” (Luke 18:8).

After meditating and praying about these things and conferring with our leading ministers here in Charlotte, I have been led by Jesus Christ to call for a Church-wide fast on the Sabbath of December 17—beginning, of course, the previous evening at sunset. I urge all of you faithful members, in Jesus’ name, to join with us in this day of fasting and prayer and in earnestly seeking God and asking for His special mercy at this time and for the supernatural healing of His people through the “stripes” of Jesus Christ (1 Peter 2:24).

Dear brethren, as the end of this age approaches, let us all cry out to God for more of His Spirit, more of His power through divine healings and the “gifts of the Spirit.” I will not expound on this more here as a special taped sermon should arrive in time to explain all of this even more thoroughly. But I wanted to get this message to all of our people—ahead of time—so that you may be preparing yourselves—both physically and spiritually—for the upcoming fast. May God continue to guide and bless every one of you as you walk with Him.

While much of the world’s attention is focused on the latest developments in Europe’s financial and political situation, the Work of God continues to grow. Responses to last weekend’s Tomorrow’s World television program by Mr. Meredith, titled “God Heals,” should exceed 5,300. This is the third week in a row that we have received more than 5,000 responses! We will also begin airing the program on Sky Angel’s Angel One channel on the Dish Satellite Network and on KTAQ in Dallas, Texas (on Sundays at 8:30 a.m.). These stations reach millions of viewers. Mr. Michael Gill has very encouraging news that the Tomorrow’s World telecast will begin broadcasting in Australia on Prime7 TV4—a commercial station with national coverage. Here in Charlotte, Mr. Meredith has been writing and holding meetings. Mr. and Mrs. Ames had very encouraging visits to congregations in Phoenix and Tucson, Arizona, over the Thanksgiving weekend. I will be in Phoenix and Prescott, Arizona this coming weekend for Tomorrow’s World Special Presentations. Your prayers are appreciated for all these efforts to preach the Gospel to the world.—DSW

Tomorrow’s World Special Presentation in Haiti: On Saturday, November 19, a TWSP was held in Gonaives, in the northwestern part of Haiti. The presentation by Dr. Wilner Pierre was held at the Heberson Paradise Hotel. Much preparation and planning was needed to reserve a conference room large enough to accommodate at least 200 people. Mr. Jove Jean-Pierre, a deacon in the Pétion-Ville (Port-au-Prince) congregation, and Mr. Gary Blanc accompanied Dr. Wilner Pierre to meet the new group. One hundred and ninety people attended the event. Once the presentation ended, everyone stayed around to fellowship and enjoy refreshments. It was a wonderful experience to see so many people eager to learn about God’s Way of life. The brethren in the Pétion-Ville congregation, affectionately known as the “faithful little flock who survived the earthquake,” will soon be able to fellowship with new brothers and sisters in Christ.

New Prospects in Haiti: A group of more than 200 people in the city of Gonaives have been studying and reading the Church’s literature online, listening to recorded messages and keeping the Sabbath. Mr. Obed Cadestin of Gonaives first met with Dr. Pierre last July to tell him about this group (never a part of the Worldwide Church of God) that is interested in learning more about the Holy Days and God’s Way of life. They have expressed how much they are looking forward to being a part of the Living Church of God. Sermons by Dr. Pierre will begin with subjects that will help them build a strong foundation, for example: Tithing; God’s Holy Days; God’s True Church; Bible Prophecy; Marriage and the Family; the Ten Commandments; Prayer and Fasting; and Trusting God When We Need to be Anointed. These are topics the group would like to know more about.

Radio Broadcast in Haiti: One year ago, a new radio station began playing Mr. Apartian’s broadcast once a week, according to the contract. Dr. Pierre used local funds to pay the monthly fee to keep the broadcast on the air until the contract expired. After reviewing the new contract for this year, the owner of the station heard the broadcast and decided that he would now like to air it twice a day, six days a week, for the exact same price. What a tremendous blessing! We are receiving at least 30 calls a month. We now have five new prospective members attending services in Port-au-Prince as a result.

Martinique Spokesman Club and Advanced Leadership Training and Visit to Guadeloupe: Dr. and Mrs. Pierre will be visiting the brethren in Martinique this month to begin Spokesman Club and also to implement the Advanced Leadership Training Program for prospective Church leaders. A new family, previously in the Worldwide Church of God, will also be attending services in Martinique for the first time! Dr. and Mrs. Pierre are scheduled to visit the brethren in Guadeloupe in December as well. There are now eight people attending services in this French island!—Wilner Pierre

We would like to remind the brethren who plan to attend the Charlotte Family Weekend (December 23-25) to please download the Registration/Pre-Payment form at www.charlottelcg.org (not an official Church website), where you can also find more information about the weekend, and mail it with payment (for the dinner on Saturday night, December 24) made out to the Charlotte Local Activity Fund by Friday, December 16. For additional information on the Charlotte Family Weekend, please contact Mrs. Dorothy McNair at 704-844-1960, ext. 2248, or send an e-mail to dmcnair@lcg.org.

The Anderson, South Carolina, congregation is pleased to announce that we will again be hosting the Upstate South Carolina Spring Holy Day Weekend from Friday, April 6, 2012 to Sunday, April 8, 2012. Current planned events include: the Night to Be Observed on Friday evening; Holy Day services on the Sabbath; a banquet and dance on Saturday night; and a picnic and recreational activities, including a 5K road race and softball games, on Sunday. Services and the dinner/dance will be held at the Greenville Hyatt Regency in downtown Greenville, South Carolina. Further details about the event and registration instructions will be announced in early January 2012. For further information, contact Manuel Burdette, at 864-638-7719 or by e-mail at mhburdette@gmail.com. We look forward to seeing you in Greenville for the best Spring Weekend ever!

Living University is now accepting applications for a limited number of onsite students to study with LU in Charlotte, beginning in the Fall (August) of 2012. Applications can be initiated online through the University website, www.livinguniv.com. Additional details and requirements can also be found online, as can a rough estimate of costs associated with onsite study. Because space is limited, students interested in onsite study should plan to have their applications completed and submitted by March 1, 2011. Those with no previous college will need to submit college entrance test scores (GRE or SAT) along with the application. You can find out more about these exams through a local High School guidance office or local college testing service. With our onsite students, we are also looking for individuals who might also have some skills that they may be able to contribute to the Work or University, thro ugh a part-time work study position. At this time we can only accept onsite students from the U.S. Our hope is to expand this opportunity to international students in future years. If you have questions about onsite study, please call 704-708-2292.

LU classes will begin again in January 2012. The following are several additional courses being offered next semester. A complete listing of “Spring Semester” courses (Spring in the northern hemisphere), can also be viewed on the Living University website under the link “2012 Spring Schedule.” To make application to Living University, to register for courses, and to find out more, please visit the www.livinguniv.com website. For additional information, please contact Ms. Michelle Bottella at michelle.bottella@livinguniv.com or call 704-708-2292.

THL 110A – Bible Study Course. This version of the Bible Study Course (BSC) is online and includes lectures on related topics and additional readings. It will be more “in depth” than the paper-pencil or online version of the Bible Study Course, but it will use the original course as its backbone. There is no tuition charge for those who enroll in this course. THL 110A is the first of a two-semester course and serves as an introduction to the Bible, its message, and its implication for successful Christian life in today’s world.

THL 226 – Christian Leadership. This course deals with the principles of Christian leadership and service. It takes an in-depth look at important aspects of Christian character that God wants all His servants to develop and analyzes why God views these areas as essential for those whom He has called. Topics include foundations of leadership, leadership skills, challenges facing leaders and case studies of great leaders of the Bible and secular history. The course also draws conclusions about leadership from studying the Leadership Style of Jesus by Michael Youssef.

THL 250 – Introduction to Biblical Doctrines. This foundational course presents an overview of many of the basic doctrines taught by the Living Church of God. Through a review of Scripture as well as past and present Church literature, Evangelist Richard Ames gives students a broad and basic understanding of what the Church believes, and why it believes as it does. Upon completion of the course, a student should be able to recognize fundamental biblical doctrines, demonstrate an understanding of those doctrines’ implications for Christian belief and conduct, and show basic competence in explaining those doctrines. This is a critical course for all believers.

Are You in Satan’s Crosshairs? The Bible contains numerous warnings about Satan and how he operates to deceive, divide and destroy people, families, churches and nations. He moves like a hunting lion, carefully stalking his unsuspecting prey (1 Peter 5:8). He is a dangerous adversary searching for vulnerable individuals (1 Timothy 5:14-15). Satan does not hunt using claws or bullets, but instead spreads gossip, rumors, and half-truths (1 Timothy 5:13; Leviticus 19:16; John 8:44). He encourages sharing confidential information to discredit others (Proverbs 11:13; 17:9). He fosters dissention and divisions by stirring up fears, jealousy and selfish ambitions (1 Corinthians 1:10-13). He will use anyone—members and ministers—to sow discord and do his work (2 Corinthians 11:1-15). Satan zeros in on people who have doubts, hurts and resentments, or who feel wronged or overlooked, or wh ose ideas, opinions or ambitions are denied. He uses such individuals to criticize, lash out at or undermine others. To avoid becoming unsuspecting victims of the negative attitudes that Satan beams at those in his crosshairs (Ephesians 2:2), we need to be alert, humble, patient and stay close to God (1 Peter 5:6-9).

China To Buy European Infrastructure. Plunging European real estate values have China eyeing future infrastructure purchases. Despite European nations being loath to sell their infrastructure to China (e.g., railroads, power companies, and factories), Chinese investors are circling and waiting for prices to “hit the bottom.” China’s Minister of Commerce made the following statement this week: “Next year, we will send a delegation for promoting trade and investment to the European countries... Some European countries are facing a debt crisis and hope to convert their assets to cash and would like foreign capital to acquire their enterprises. We will be closely watching and pushing forward the process.” The EU reluctance to sell assets to non-European entities frustrates Chinese investors. So China points to the UK’s example—“one of the most open economies in the world”—as a nation that has welcomed Chinese investment in a new North-South railway project in Britain (EUObserver.com, November 28, 2011). Although Bible prophecy does not specifically mention China buying European infrastructure, God warned ancient Israel (and its modern descendants) that because they reject Him, a nation will come “from afar,” “of fierce countenance” and “whose language you will not understand” and will lend them money and consume all of their goods (Deuteronomy 28:43-44, 49-51). Many current EU nations descend from the ancient tribes of Israel. Which European nations might be the first to sell off their infrastructure? For more on this fascinating subject, see our booklet The Un ited States and Great Britain in Prophecy.

Cries for Germany to Lead Europe. With the ongoing debt crisis in Europe, the specter of an EU break-up looms ominously over the continent. Many nations now see the negative repercussions of such a breakup and are calling for action to prevent it. This week Poland’s Foreign Affairs Minister made a sobering appeal from Berlin: “I will probably be the first Polish foreign minister in history to say so, but here it is. I fear German power less than I am beginning to fear German inactivity. You have become Europe's indispensable nation.” He went on to say, “The biggest threat to the security and prosperity of Poland would be the collapse of the eurozone. And I demand of Germany that, for your own sake and for ours, you help it survive and prosper. You know full well that nobo dy else can do it” (Associated Press, November 29, 2011; EUObserver.com, November 28, 2011). Not every European feels as the Polish Foreign Minister does. However, it is significant to see the increasing power and influence of Germany, and the increasing willingness of certain nations to “turn their power” and much of their national sovereignty over to Germany—despite its history over the last 100 years. Revelation 17 clearly states that ten kings will give their “power and authority” to the Beast for a short time (verses 13-14). It is remarkable to see the “prophetic stage” being set—Poland, a nation that was subjugated by Nazi Germany in World War II, now requesting that modern Germany come to their rescue. And… just as God prophesied, prophecy IS coming alive before our eyes!

Mexico’s Drought Blankets the Nation. “Mexico is being battered by its worst drought in seven decades, which has devastated farm life and is expected to continue into next year. The lack of rainfall has affected almost 70 percent of the country,” with the northern states experiencing the most severe drought. “The government has cut its forecast for corn production [the staple crop] two times in 2011,” and nearly half-a-million cattle have died in desert-like pastures. The deputy director of Mexico’s National Water Commission has noted that since the dry season is now underway, the nation’s hopes lie with rainfall next June. Corn and bean production are down drastically and if the weather does not change, Mexico will be forced to increase its food imports (Drover’s Cattle Network, November 25, 2011). End-time prophecies highlight the fact that severe drought and famine will devastate the earth, and result in massive starvation someday (Luke 21:11; Revelation 6:5-8). The current drought in Mexico and the U.S. Southwest is just a foretaste of what is to come. In the days ahead the world will see the sad results of God’s prophesied punishment for disobedience leveled against the Israelite-descended nations and the rest of the earth. For more information on signs indicating the end of the age, review our booklet Fourteen Signs Announcing Christ’s Return.—Scott Winnail, Thomas Turner, Deborah Lincoln-Strange and Gene Hilgenberg

COGwriter 2011

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