It doesn’t take an expert analyst to conclude that the news in the world today is generally not good. Certainly, this statement has been true for a long time. However, what makes this interesting is that the world’s state of affairs does not seem to improve. You might think that a continual set of poor circumstances and problems would become resolved over time. But instead, as one problem approaches resolution, a multiplicity of new problems pop up. Topple a dictator, only to create civil unrest and drive a healthy economy into unfathomable debt. Allow the citizens of a country to buy their dream homes when interest rates are low, only to cause default on those loans when rates rise, bringing down established financial institutions with the fall. Our solutions to the problems we see only seem to cause more problems — and more bad news.

All the bad news we read about begs the question, where’s the good news? Most mainstream media will try to convince their audiences that the trouble we see now is a flash in the pan, and that the general state of affairs will improve. Some claim that the problems the world experiences today aren’t actually problems at all, but rather apparitions of poor or incomplete analysis. Others still hope that a new President in the United States in the coming months will provide solutions. Yet, we know from experience that man will not be able to make sufficient progress before causing his own demise.

The truth of the matter is that the good news, even though it is more significant than any of the news we see and hear in the media, never sees headlines, nor does it find a place in the media at all. In fact, the good news predominantly falls on deaf ears. Where is the good news? What is the good news?

In Psalm 96:2-3, King David tells us what this good news is: “Sing to the Lord, bless His name; Proclaim the good news of His salvation from day to day. Declare His glory among the nations, His wonders among all peoples.” To summarize, the good news is that God will establish His Kingdom on this earth, and finally provide us with solutions to the problems that plague us. He will provide salvation for His people.

In the meantime, while the media is mostly silent about this good news, it is our responsibility to report it. We hear the Scripture frequently, but it bears repeating. In Matthew 24:14, Jesus reveals: “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.” The substance of the gospel is that God has a plan to save us from ourselves. This message is absolutely simple. It is up to us to do the Work of God in order to preach, publish and broadcast it, so that we do not delay His plans.

“Can you help me?”

Parents and teachers have this question asked of them very frequently, but most of us don’t often hear these words from others. In fact, our generation is noteworthy for its lack of willingness to voluntarily reach out and assist others–even in times of great peril.

In two appalling examples of calloused indifference, news programs in this country showed a man who was the victim of a hit and run accident, while in another case a woman sitting in a hospital emergency room collapsed and died. In both of these cases, people around ignored these helpless individuals.

Love for others–that is, outgoing concern that is on a par with love for self–is becoming increasingly rare. Jesus spoke of our day and among the many warnings He gave, what He said about the way society would behave is finding its tragic fulfillment: “‘And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold'” (Matthew 24:12).

We must not let that happen to us, and a point to consider is our own approach when we see an opportunity to help others. It is really a matter of the way we think about those with whom we come into contact–that is, our “neighbor.”

The apostle John taught about love, and his writings show us how to prevent our own love from growing cold–he states: “In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another” (1 John 4:10-11).

Take careful note that God FIRST loved us, and by that we learned to love–both to love God and others! In fact John very clearly states, “We love, because He first loved us” (1 John 4:19 NASB).

Rather than only waiting to be asked for help, we can develop an attitude and approach built upon the idea that “I can help.” Why think this way? Because it will help us to be the kind of person that really fulfills the Christian way of living.

As had been announced in recent Updates, Paul L. Voss, a long-time deacon in the Church of God, died from cancer on his birthday, May 23, 2008. He was 76 years old. Following the memorial service on Sunday, July 13, a private inurnment service with full military honors was conducted on July 14. Before he became a member of the Worldwide Church of God, Paul had joined the Navy and fought in the Korean War. Lieutenant Commander Ralph Sage, SWOUSN, retired U.S. Navy Third Class Petty Officer and long-time friend of Paul and his family since 1974, had been invited to explain to those in attendance the symbolic meaning of the flag-folding ceremony.

Most had never heard of the religious and ethical principles associated with that ceremony. Before the flag was presented to Joan Voss, it was folded twelve times. The different folds symbolized, among others, our belief in eternal life; our weaker nature, “for as American citizens trusting in God, it is to Him we turn in times of peace as well as in times of war for divine guidance”; “in the eyes of the Hebrew citizens… [the glorification of] the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob”; and “in the eyes of the Christian citizens, [a representation of] an emblem of eternity and [glorification of] God the Father, The Son (Jesus Christ) and the Holy Spirit.”

Of course, some of these symbols do not agree with biblical teaching (such as the reference to the Trinity in the last phrase, and other statements not mentioned herein). However, it could be seen that there were certain values attached to the original flag-folding ceremony, which, in today’s world, have been lost and forgotten.

In the subsequent spiritual message, I emphasized the fact, among other things, that we have entered the Biblical times of the “beginning of sorrows”–a time filled with violence, war, hatred, terrorism, economic hardship, food rationing, famine, and disease epidemics–and that much worse times will arrive soon. I explained that man’s feeble attempts–however well-intentioned they might be–will never free this world from war, pain, suffering and death, but that God WILL do so, in His due time. I also pointed out that man’s sin–the transgression of God’s spiritual Law of Love towards God and neighbor–has caused–and is causing–all the evils which we experience today.

The prospects of a great depression for the United States and the entire world is becoming more and more a real possibility. Banks have begun to falter and fail in the USA, and experts tell us that within the next few years, more than 300 American banks could go bankrupt. Another war with Iran before the end of this year, which may be started by Israel with the support of the USA, appears more and more likely. Such a war and its terrible consequences of the loss of human life and the astronomical rise of oil prices, in combination with other prevailing circumstances, could bring the USA to its knees with lightening speed.

Are we watching world events and praying that God will find us worthy to escape all these things which will surely come to pass? Man and man’s institutions will not be able to protect us, and our money will soon be without value. Only GOD can give us true security.

Some feel today that they do not need to focus on prophecy–that they do not need to watch world events–that the Church of God does not need to continue to preach the warning message of the soon-coming Great Tribulation and the good news of the Kingdom of God in all the world as a witness. They think that it is ONLY necessary to care for the Church–to “prepare the Bride.” However, this is a selfish and short-sighted approach. We can compare it with the servant who received a talent and hid it in the ground, rather than using it for the benefit of OTHERS.

God did not call us today so that we can GET salvation. Rather, we have a JOB TO DO. God gave His Church a commission to warn this world UNTIL the very end of time. This idea of just preparing the Bride ignores the fact that only those who are involved in Christ’s Work of preaching the gospel and feeding the flock are the ones who overcome the most and prepare the best for Christ’s return. Those who neglect to do so might NOT be protected during the terrible times to come, and they are NOT preparing themselves in the right way for the return of Christ.

Man will continue to try to solve the world’s problems in the way he has done for the last 6,000 years, but man has utterly failed in succeeding. This world’s problems can only be solved–and they WILL be solved–through a “mighty hand from somewhere”–the “stone… cut out of the mountain without hands” (Daniel 2:45). Jesus Christ–the Stone and the Rock (Matthew 7:24-25; Matthew 21:42; 1 Corinthians 10:4)–will return to this earth in a very few years from now to “set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed” (Daniel 2:44). And you and I have the tremendous and awesome privilege to announce His coming to the world, and to rule with and under Christ in the Kingdom of God, IF we qualify: “Then the kingdom and dominion And the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven Shall be given to the people, the saints of the Most High. His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, And all dominions shall serve and obey Him” (Daniel 7:27).

ARE we qualifying? Or do we ignore world events, as they are unfolding in front of our very eyes in the light of Biblical prophecy? Have we become indifferent–tasteless, worthless salt? We are supposed to be the salt of the earth. But Christ warned all of us, in Luke 14:34-35, when He said: “Salt is good; but if the salt has lost its flavor, how shall it be salted? It is neither fit for the land nor for the dunghill, but men throw it out. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!”

Rather than placing our trust in man and man’s accomplishments–his financial institutions, his weaponry, his political systems and leaders–we MUST place our trust and confidence in GOD. And we must DO what He commands us to do, even if human reasoning might try to persuade us otherwise. If our individual involvement in the Work of God might seem “little” and “insignificant,” it counts mightily in the eyes of God. He knows that the one who is faithful in little will be faithful in much.

Are you faithful in little? Are you ever striving to overcome your shortcomings, while focusing on the bigger picture–the soon-coming return of Jesus Christ to make an end to man’s mis-rule and to establish the glorious Kingdom of God here on earth? If you do, BLESSED are you (Matthew 25:34).

There was a news item in the Current Events section of a recent Update (#350) that stated “In an eye-opening and thought-provoking article, The Associated Press wrote on June 21 that conditions in the USA and around the world have run out of control in unparalleled ways–raising the all-important questions: Why is it happening, and can solutions be found? The article stated: ‘Is everything spinning out of control?'”

It then went on to list a whole host of problems nationally and internationally – a list to that most of us could add a further substantial number of items. The item concluded: “Why the vulnerability? After all, this is the 21st century, not a more primitive past when little in life was assured. Surely people know how to fix problems now. Maybe. And maybe this is what the 21st century will be about — a great unraveling of some things long taken for granted.”

Many seem to have this feeling that all is not well with our society; a feeling of unease or anxiety which is a state of nervousness or apprehension concerning future events. This feeling occurs when such events seem to have the capacity to be overwhelming. Church members have a sure foundation in Jesus Christ (compare 1 Corinthians 3:10-11), but those without this sure foundation can only look to man and his feeble efforts to solve world problems, many of which seem to be insoluble!

For those who don’t believe in God and don’t have the faith that there is a Master Plan in place for the good and well being of all of humanity, there is this feeling of unease. It is something that has not manifested itself in recent years during a time of unparalleled prosperity and progress in living standards. All has seemed to be well up and till recently, but conditions have taken on a very different look, very quickly. This change is manifested in news bulletins, newspaper articles and the worried looks on the face of the man in the street.  

As members of the Church of God, we need have no such worries – there should be no feeling of unease, as our faith in God and His inviolate Word has clearly revealed the future that is in store for all of us. But we should not be complacent either. We should be, we must be and we will be eternally grateful for our calling and the knowledge that goes with it, as we see events unfold according to God’s plan. Yes, there are horrendous problems ahead, but just over the horizon is a wonderful future beyond our ability to comprehend. And there will be no feeling of unease whatsoever in the wonderful world tomorrow.

Often when we are exposed repeatedly to some outside factor, the tendency, over time, is to become calloused to it.  The more frequently that we are influenced by the same event, the less likely we are to be affected by it in the future.

For example, the more that a person reads, sees and hears about the lawlessness going on presently in this world, the easier it becomes to turn a blind eye or deaf ear to it.  For instance, there are over 40 conflicts/uprisings/insurgencies (however we choose to describe war) currently in motion; are we aware that the world is in such bad shape?  What about the other atrocities that we are cognizant of through the media? Have we turned off because of the inundation?

Even more importantly, have we allowed the sins around us to diminish our need to re-examine our lives continuously and scrutinize every aspect of it thoroughly?  In the covenant that we made with God at baptism, we committed to becoming righteous.  We promised to seek first His ways and to pursue perfection (compare Matthew 6:33; 5:48; Hebrews 6:1).  Are we doing this or are we just “getting by”?

There are many warnings in the Bible for the people of God in the end-time that show that we are not a foregone conclusion.  In fact, just the opposite!  Do statements like the following resonate with us: “… many are called but few are chosen,” “the love of many will grow cold,” and “you are neither cold nor hot”? Now is the time to be doing what we are supposed to be doing!

As prophecy falls into place and time grows short, we must be moved to action by the events that are going on around us.  Let us sigh and cry and not become hardened through some systematic desensitization.  But rather, let us distinguish ourselves in such a manner that when Christ returns He will have no problem recognizing us.

These were the words of a primate in a Walt Disney cartoon movie which was released in the 70’s. The lyrics went something like this: “I wanna walk like you, I wanna talk like you, I wanna be human too.”

In that movie, a primate is portrayed as wanting to be human. In reality, man should have the desire to become like God. God lives forever, and it is somewhat ironic that the Creator God has built into us a desire to go on; that is, to live forever. No one in his right mind really wants to die–that is, under normal circumstances and conditions. There are situations when one is suffering so much that he may want to die, but normally, one wants to live and live on forever.

We are made today in the physical shape of God, but subject to death. God is not. However, He offers man the opportunity to live forever as well, if man becomes more and more like He is.

It is not impossible for man to become more and more like God–if man avails himself of God’s help.

God is love (1 John 4:8). He has demonstrated that love by sacrificing His Son for us (John 3:16). He has created in man as well the capacity to love and be loved by others.

God is merciful, and we can show mercy. God can get jealous in the right way (Exodus 20:5), and we also are sometimes justified in becoming jealous. God even gets angry at times (2 Kings 17:18). His anger is always controlled and for the correct reason. Scripture tells us to be angry and sin not (Ephesians 4:26). Even when our anger is righteous–which is seldom the case–we still have to control our anger.

With God’s Spirit in us, we are able to build a close and intimate relationship with God, so that we can feel confident in bringing our problems to Him. We can look to Him for healing–both physically and emotionally, if we suffer from trauma or from psychological scars because we were abused by others in the past. God is our comforter (Psalm 86:17).  He also fights our physical and spiritual battles for us (1 Samuel 17: 46-47). In relying on God, we can become more and more like Him–including the ability to comfort others who are in need.

It is the desire within each and every converted child of God to be like their Father and their elder brother Jesus Christ, whose footsteps and example they are admonished to follow (1 Peter 2:21). We want to be like God–in character as well as, ultimately, in regard to His very essence.

Our physical bodies wear down and eventually fail. God is Spirit and never wears down. He never gets tired or runs out of energy. We aspire to be like that; especially, as we get older and when our minds say, “Do,”  and our bodies say, “That’s enough.

Paul told Felix that he stood before him for the hope of the resurrection (Acts 24:21). Our desire to be totally like our Father and Jesus Christ will not be achieved until our resurrection to eternal life or the change of our bodies from physical to spirit, from mortal to immortal. We will then have all the energy we need to carry out every task that God has in mind for us, without ever running out of steam. That day will just be marvelous. In the meantime, we can say in our  minds: “I wanna be like You,” knowing that this is the will of God and that it will be reality for us in the near future.

In recent weeks there has been a salmonella scare with tomatoes in many parts of the USA. In previous months, spinach was causing health concerns because of E. coli contamination. And to date, many countries refuse to import American beef across their borders. In a recent Korean protest of imported American beef it was reported, “the online masses have taken to the streets, cursing America and demanding that their government should act to avert catastrophe.” Although the protests were caused by greatly exaggerated myths of U.S. beef, America, once a blessing and breadbasket to the world, is quickly becoming a scourge to it.

In defense of the U.S. government’s Food and Drug Administration, when health issues have arisen, measures are quickly put into place in order to remedy the problems in food supply. But with all of America’s efforts and the measures that have been instituted, America’s reputation is still being lost, and people are still getting sick.

We must in these times be extremely careful what we allow into our bodies, both physical and spiritual. God instituted food laws, not to deny us pleasure, but to keep us healthy. Likewise, He has filled the Bible with laws to keep the right spiritual food entering our bodies. But knowing what isn’t good for us to partake of for spiritual health is not something we are going to learn from immersing ourselves in this world.

In Hebrews 5:14 we read: “But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of USE have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.”

Knowledge of real spiritual health and what is safe to take in will only be evident to us through continued study of the Scriptures. We must become “label readers.” It’s not enough to rely on a quick glance of what we are ingesting, and assume it’s safe to take in. Only after constant and thorough inspection can we hope to filter what is entering in and building up our spiritual character.

Our lives tend to be filled with, as the Bible reveals, “the cares of this world.”

Of course, we are to take care of responsibilities that fall to us. We are judged very stringently if we fail to do the basics. Note what Paul wrote: “But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever” (1 Timothy 5:8).

So what is the balance point? Are we to ignore our lives and the individual work we are called upon to do, or are we to put all of our efforts into the greater calling—the Work of God?

In reality, striking a balanced approach to all of our responsibilities is paramount. We can’t ignore and neglect any of our duties.

Brethren who selflessly expend dedicated service to God now support the Church of God. That entails sacrifice. Sacrifice means putting something ahead of our own desires or pleasures. In innumerable ways, members of the Church add what they are able to the Work of God—proclaiming the good news of God’s Kingdom.

What has that knowledge meant to you? How has your life been changed and enriched beyond measure because you know the truth? Is it enough for each one of us to have our lives so abundantly blessed by having a relationship with God that will consummate in eternal life?

Jesus Christ gave His life for us and for all! As Christians, we are called upon—yes, it is expected of us—to be willing to lay down our lives for our brethren and for our fellow man. Here is what Jesus taught: “‘Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends’” (John 15:13).

The way we now do this is to dedicate our lives as living sacrifices (compare Romans 12:1). Becoming servants of God means that we seek to please God—remember, WE ARE NOT OUR OWN! Consider what Paul stated:

“Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit [which] is in you, [which] you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).

Also, consider this paramount truth: “For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, WE ARE THE LORD’S” (Romans 14:8).

Look to yourselves and deeply think about your calling and ask, “What does God expect of me?”

God expects of us to fulfill our individual duties and responsibilities towards our fellow man. The greatest duty of all is to participate in the Work of God, announcing to man a better world to come–a world filled with peace, hope, freedom and prosperity. This shows our love to God and to man–and we must manifest that love with all of our heart and with all of our might!

The Church of God is going to celebrate the annual Holy Day of Pentecost on Sunday, June 8, 2008, remembering the unique event when God poured out the Holy Spirit on the New Testament Church in 31 A.D. (Acts 2:33). When Christ’s disciples received the Holy Spirit on that day, observers mocked, thinking that they had become “full of new wine” (Acts 2:13). The Bible tells us, however, that they were “all FILLED with the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:4). And so must we be today–on a continuous basis.

Before our conversion, the following description of the carnal human mind applied to us as well: We were “filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness, full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness…” (Romans 1:29).

But now, with the mind of Christ in us (Philippians 2:5; 1 Corinthians 2:16), we must be quite different. We are now to be “FULL of goodness, FILLED with all [Godly] knowledge” (Romans 15:14) and “FULL of mercy and good works” (James 3:17). In other words, we must be full of God’s Holy Spirit.

When Jesus was here on earth, He was “FILLED with the Holy Spirit” (Luke 4:1), and therefore, He was “FULL of grace and truth” (John 1:14). We read about some of His disciples being described in similar ways. In Acts 6:3, Peter asked the brethren to “seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, FULL of the Holy Spirit and wisdom.” One of the men chosen was “Stephen, a man FULL of faith and the Holy Spirit” (verse 5). He is also described as a man “FULL of faith and power” (verse 8)–characteristics which are all part of the fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23; 2 Timothy 1:7). Even at the time when he was facing certain death, Stephen was “FULL of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 7:55). Likewise, Barnabas was “a good man, FULL of the Holy Spirit and of faith” (Acts 11:24).

This does not happen automatically. We can become and continue to be full of God’s Spirit, but it takes effort. We must persistently and daily strive to become filled with the Holy Spirit. Paul tells us that our “inward man is being renewed day by day” (2 Corinthians 4:16)–through a continuous and daily “supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:19). We need to draw near to God daily, and then God will draw near to us (James 4:8), by granting us His Holy Spirit ABUNDANTLY (Titus 3:4-6).

How often do the affairs and cares of this world, the deceit of riches and the pleasures of life take top priority over our relationship with God? We must be careful that we do not–slowly but surely–grieve and, in time, even quench the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 4:30; 1 Thessalonians 5:19). In the famous parable of the five wise and the five foolish virgins, ALL of them had begun to slumber and sleep (Matthew 25:5). When the “midnight cry” was heard, announcing that Jesus Christ, the bridegroom, was coming, they all trimmed their lamps (verse 7). Unfortunately, the five foolish virgins had to realize that their lamps were going out because they did not have enough supply of oil (Matthew 25:8). They were not filled with or full of the Holy Spirit.

None of us should want to be in that category when the day of Christ’s return arrives. The time to prepare is now. 2 John 8 encourages us to look to ourselves, “that we do not lose the things we worked for, but that we may receive a full reward.” Being filled with the Holy Spirit on a daily basis, our reward will be full, and “an entrance will be supplied to [us] abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 1:11).

In his autobiography, volume 1, pages 299-300, Herbert W. Armstrong recounted a story from the late 1920’s of the head librarian of the technical and science department of a very large library. That librarian believed in the theory of evolution. “Mr. Armstrong,” she said, “you have an uncanny knack of getting right to the crux of a problem. Yes, I have to admit you have chopped down the trunk of the tree. You have robbed me of PROOF! But, Mr. Armstrong, I still have to go on believing in evolution… I am so STEEPED in it that I could not root it from my mind.”

That episode reminds me of the old saying that “there are none so blind as those who WON’T see.”

We can gasp at such an attitude, but can we be the same? At times, we can easily–far too easily–refuse to see or apply clear biblical instruction. Love covers all sins  (Proverbs 10:12), but we can disseminate gossip to the hurt of others. Love suffers long and is kind (1 Corinthians 13:4), but we can be unkind in our approach to others. We are told to bridle our tongue (James 1:26), but how often are we steeped in ingrained behavior so that we tolerate our own wrong actions?

The Bereans proved that which was so (Acts 17:11). This was a positive approach whereas, today, there are some who look at things in a negative way. They search the literature of others in order to expose “error” as they see it. Some can be self appointed “watchmen,” but Jesus gave us solid teaching about the plank and the speck (Matthew 7:3-5). When this is mentioned in sermons, letters, editorials, personal comments or in any other written form, there can be those who indulge in such activities–like the evolutionist–who continue in their ways. They are seemingly unable to see that it can apply to them (and indeed to all of us), and they refuse to root out such actions that are both unhelpful and sinful.  

Let us ALL see OUR shortcomings and failings in whatever areas they may be, and not be blind to their significance. Unfortunately, there may be those who read this Editorial who have a form of spiritual blindness or arrogance that may not allow them to see that they may be missing the mark.

The Church of God will be celebrating the Feast of Pentecost on Sunday, June 8. It was on the Day of Pentecost when God poured out His Spirit on the New Testament Church–God’s same Spirit that is available today to His called-out-ones. Let us make sure that we exercise God’s Spirit in our everyday lives and that the problems mentioned in this Editorial do not apply to us. And that the phrase “there are none so blind as those who WON’T see” simply does not describe us!