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ACTS
Advocating Christ the Savior
March/April 2015
Vision for the Future
page 6
Are These Dark Days?
page 10
Praise the Lord in Love
page 14
March/April 2015
Volume 73
Table of Contents
“WHO are we?”
Editorial by Manny Molinar
page 3
Vision For The Future
by Derwood Stewart
page 6
Are These Dark Days?
by Rodney Boone
page10
Praise the Lord in Love
(This is the fourth article in the series
for newly declared Christians)
by Terri Perri
page 14
Daughters of the King
by Becky Lincoln
page 15
Number 2
ACTS
Advocating Christ The Savior
Our purpose: The ACTS is published by the Church of God Publishing
House to advance the Gospel message around the world and to promote
the general welfare of the Churches of God, 7th Day, as a whole.
General Council Board: President—Rodney Boone; Vice President—
Manny Molinar; Committeemen—Roger Boone, Jonathan Carson, Jim
Flannery, Don Smith, Ken Walker.
Subscriptions: There is no subscription price for this magazine. It is
paid for by freewill offerings. We are a non-profit ministry and welcome
your financial participation. Donations are greatly appreciated. There is
no subscription price for this magazine; however, the suggested donation
is $4.75 or $47.50 annually. Checks may be made out to the Church of
God Publishing House.
Articles: ACTS accepts manuscripts from freelance writers. Write to us
for writer’s guidelines and a free sample copy of the magazine.
Publisher: Church of God Publishing House / 1827 W 3rd ST /
Meridian, ID 83646-1653.
Staff: Manny Molinar--Editor, Randy Sedlacek—Production Manager;
Sherry Sutton—Layout, Graphics, and Secretarial.
Contact
Us:
General Council Churches of God (Seventh) Day, Inc., Headquarters Meridian, Idaho
Church of God Publishing House
1827 W 3rd ST
Meridian ID 83646-1653
Phone: (208) 888-3380
Fax: (208) 888-6670
Web: www.actsforgod.org
E-mails: [email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
Statement of Beliefs:
Lord’s Supper Date
page 5
1. The Bible to be the inspired Word of God, God the Father is the supreme
Deity, Jesus Christ is the only begotten Son of God, and the Holy Spirit is the
promised Comforter.
2. In the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ; His virgin birth; His sinless life; His
miracles; His vicarious and atoning death; His bodily resurrection late on the
Sabbath day; His ascension to the right hand of God in heaven; and His personal
return to establish His kingdom and rule this earth in great power and glory.
3. The only means of being cleansed from sin is through repentance and faith in
the precious blood of Jesus and obedience to our Lord’s command to be baptized
(immersed) in the Name of Christ for the remission of sins.
Any opinions or viewpoints that are
published herein are directly from
the contributing author(s) and do not
necessarily represent the beliefs or
viewpoints of the General Council
Churches of God (Seventh) Day
Inc.
Cover Photo: http://www.publicdomainpictures.net/view-image.php?im
age=28503&picture=child-and-nature&large=1
Child And Nature by George Hodan.jpg
2
Suggested Donation $4.75
4. That by faith we may receive healing for our bodies.
5. The Scriptures enjoin the observance of the Ten Commandments, including
the observance of the Seventh Day Sabbath (commonly called Saturday) to be
observed from sunset on Friday until sunset on Saturday.
6. The Lord’s Supper and foot washing should be observed once a year at the
proper and appointed time.
7. In the resurrection of the dead, both of the just and the unjust, the just to eternal
life and the unjust to eternal death.
8. The dead are in a state of no consciousness.
9. The true church organization taught in the Bible is local autonomy and that the
Bible name for the church is THE CHURCH OF GOD.
10. That the tests of Christian fellowship are the Commandments of God and the
faith of Jesus.
March/April 2015
ACTS
Editorial
“Who are we?”
By Manny Molinar
“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works,
Which God has before ordained that we should walk in them.”
Ephesians 2:10
In this issue March/April, as I answered the question, “Where are we?” - The next question
is “Who are we?” – But first, let me tell you on a personal note; that these next two Editorials are
designed to accomplish two things:
(1) Use the opportunity to introduce myself to you; Born January 31, 1946 in El Paso, Texas,
Hispanic American and already 69 years old at this writing.
(2) Mix some of my life experiences in testimony as I answer from the heart these next questions.
Let me get most of the “I’s” out of the way! Later I will get out of the way and address, in deeper form, and qualify, the matters of Theology which I have and will continue to allude too.
It occurred to me that I needed to qualify the “Where”, the “Who” and the “Why”. There are two
ways of looking at it, whether vocal or in written word, where we address our message to all readers. Through Scripture, those things that are from God and those things that is Earthly and carnal.
We learn from the past, which influences our present living, where we can determine our position
in Christ verses our condition as an organization on this Earth. The same and most importantly,
can be said for us as individuals. In our last issue I addressed things pertaining to Earthly matters.
I’m sure most of us have a good idea where we stand as individuals in Christ. In addressing the
“State of the General Council,” the physical state, it implies as well, where we are in our spiritual
walk with God. Our physical “condition” in this life needs daily changes that should match our spiritual “Position” in Christ. (In a future Article I will address this theological issue, what I have titled,
“Position vs. Condition”.) So, we do recognize where we are as an organization and where we
should be as representatives of the Body of Christ. As some of our young people say today; “We
must Represent!”
As we are nearing our yearly celebration of the Lord’s Supper, on the first week of April, the
Apostle Paul suggests that we are to examine ourselves and come in humbleness at each other’s
feet, as our Lord did. This is a reminder to bring in remembrance the loving sacrifice God and our
Lord Jesus Christ did for us, to know exactly where we are. Having said that, let me now begin to
answer the question, “Who are we?”
In 2012 when I came to this Organization to serve in God’s Will; the first thing I did was to ask
those very same questions. And I will paraphrase the answers I got; “We really don’t know WHERE
we are!” “We are limited as to WHO we are!” And to answer WHY; obviously it’s in God’s Word and
we state our mission here in the ACTS.
As I was elected to the Board of Directors in 2013, I was assigned the task to do an overall
survey of our Organization. It began with an in-house examination of the Leadership, and I found
those things of which I have somewhat addressed in our last issue.
Advocating Christ The Savior
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I reported the findings to the Board of Directors at our Camp-meeting last year, 2014 and
brought to them a heart-to-heart challenge, and now you are witnessing, with us, the transformation necessary to become transparent and better connected with the Body of Christ. Better servants
of Christ. I understand that this has been done before several times and maybe some of the same
things have been addressed, but with limited results. The only visible change that stands out is the
obvious decline in readership, and our Camp attendance gets smaller and smaller. Why is this any
different? Because it was finally admitted that they were in Denial. And confession is really good
for the soul! And now we have recommitted our lives to Christ’s service and to a complete re-organization, overhaul if you will. In all areas! Looking at Polity and revisiting our present By-Laws and
revising them. It is my hope that we will present them to those that will come to our next Camp
Meeting June 29 – July 4, 2015, a whole new version copy for consideration for you to review a
whole year in advance, with “Previous Notice” to follow through this publication and through any
other means of communication to satisfy compliance to our present By-Laws.
We should not allow ourselves to be trapped in thinking that the Body of Christ should be
guided or ruled by Church Polity (Church Government, policies and By-Laws). They are only
necessary to satisfy our Civil and Federal Laws of the Land, which also protects us from ourselves.
It is also necessary to keep our “Tax Exempt Status” requirements, as we collect public moneys’ to
spread the Gospel. The right way is; allowing the Holy Spirit to work in and with the Body of Christ
to guide our Church to walk in the Spirit and not in the Flesh. Romans 8:13 “For if we live after the
flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify (crucify, bring to death) the deeds of the
body, ye shall live.” V.14: “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, THEY ARE THE SONS OF
GOD.” That’s who we are! The Bible should be the only rule of thumb; By-Laws are good suggestions and should not supersede Scripture. Discipline for example, you have every right to discipline
your Brother or Sister if they are causing problems in your Church with your local By-Laws legally.
But, not until you applied the Scripture in Matthews 18:15-18, where we find the process and the
solution. Now you have the Biblical mandate first and then, if necessary, apply the By-Laws that
protect you legally to proceed. You are covered both ways!
Who are we as an organization? We are down to four things that identify us and what we
provide. (1) We produce the ACTS magazine. (2) We provide quarterlies for Sabbath School Bible
study and tracks. (3) We host a Camp Meeting every year, and (4) we issue Ministerial Licenses.
And, according to one President of a Sabbath organization and also members of the Body of
Christ, said, “That they were the only viable organization that will provide you with better service.”
He made his pitch for donations before the end of the year, as we all do, and you know, I agree,
they are one of the best in serving the Body of Christ. He also mentioned three other Sabbath organizations by name; if I were to measure these four organizations by their Publications alone, we are
the lowest. Please, don’t misunderstand me here; this is not a low-self-esteem issue. It makes me
sad that it’s true: My feelings were not hurt and yours’ should not be either. Quite the contrary, I
really felt a sense of gratitude and encouragement from his claim and I’m not a fatalist either. In our
last issue; if you have not read it, do so, it’s fantastic, “What does it Really Mean to Trust in God?”
By Katrina Rice; she testifies of a dream. Where in life, as individuals, as she said and I quote; “hit
rock bottom before he truly realizes he needs help and cannot help himself because it is just not
within him to do so.” Of “Low Estate”! We have come to realize as an organization, that’s where
we are!
So, where do we go from here? We have confessed, repented before the Lord and we are
letting go and letting God! There is nothing we can do to help ourselves. WE ARE HUMBLED and
committed to TRUSTING GOD in all things.
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March/April 2015
ACTS
If we get into God’s good graces, and in yours’ for that matter, may God find us, as Mary the
Mother of the Messiah said (some call it her Magna Carta) in Luke 1:46-55. V.48, “For He has
regarded the low estate of His handmaiden:” – V.52
“He has put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree.” Join us and
be encouraged! Join us through prayer and fasting! Join us in helping us do better for you, and
together we can lift up our hands to His Praises!
This is who we are!
This is how we Worship our Heavenly Father and His Son, our Lord!
I would like to take this opportunity as well to cordially invite you to join us at next Meridian
Camp Meeting: Starting on Monday, June 29th through Sabbath and Saturday night, July 4th. We
need fresh people in Christ to give us a transfusion, if you will! Come with fresh ideas. BE PART
OF HISTORY; be part of the renewal! YOU, too, can revive us again. Thank you, ahead of time, for
walking in those good works of God! And may; “The Grace and Peace of the Lord Jesus Christ,
and the Love of God, and communion of the HOLY Spirit, be with you all. Amen:
Manny Molinar, General Council Operations Manager
“He that has an ear, let him hear…”
Revelation 2:7
The Lord’s
Supper Service
will be Friday,
April 3, 2015
after sundown.
Advocating Christ The Savior
5
VISION FOR THE FUTURE
By Derwood Stewart
Vision: an object of Imagination; something
seen in a Dream; a Supernatural Appearance
that conveys a revelation; King Solomon in
Proverbs 29:18 wrote, “Where there is no Vision,
the people perish: but he that keepeth the Law,
happy is he.” King Solomon was considered to
be the Wisest Soul (person) that ever lived; with
perhaps the exception of Jesus. Therefore, it
would behoove us to heed his instructions and
warning.
Part of our Vision for the Future is grounded
in the observance of the Commandments and
Laws of the Lord. Like whenever a Soul (person) violates the laws of the land (our government) and gets caught, there is usually a price
to pay; having to pay a fine is not in and of itself
a happy thing to do. In like manner, if we violate
the Commandments and Laws of God; there is a
Price to Pay (Hebrews 2:2).
There seems to be a lot of folk that are aimlessly living their life for, they know NOT what;
they have NO purpose; NO Vision for the Future;
NO Hope beyond this present life, the end results
of these individuals is utter destruction in a Lake
of Fire, prepared for the devil and his angles.
However, we who Love the Lord and endeavor
to serve HIM in Spirit and in Truth; Look for a
Heavenly Kingdom wherein dwelleth righteousness, joy and peace, forevermore.
As Jesus is High and Lifted Up; so it shall be
with the Saints. We shall share with Jesus that
which the heavenly Father has prepared for Him.
The Prophet Isaiah in Isaiah 2:1-4 wrote,
“The word that Isaiah the son of Amoz
SAW concerning Judah and Jerusalem.
And IT SHALL COME TO PASS in the
LAST DAYS, that the Mountain of the
LORD’S House shall be established in the
Top of the Mountains, and shall be Exalted
above the hills; and all nations shall flow
unto IT. And many people shall go and
say, Come ye, and let us GO UP to the
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Mountain of the LORD, to the House of
the God of Jacob; and HE will teach us of
HIS ways, and we will Walk in HIS Paths:
for out of Zion shall go forth the Law, and
the Word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
And HE shall judge among the nations,
and shall rebuke many people: and they
shall beat their swords into plowshares,
and their spears into pruninghooks: nation
shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.”
To a great extent, this is not happening; in
fact, there are fewer and fewer individuals attending church on a regular basis in this day and
time. There are some that only attend church on
Special Occasions, like Christmas and Easter
(which things they should NOT do) or for a wedding or a funeral. But the sad truth is, they are
NOT attending church to serve the Lord; they
are there for an occasion or out of obligation, but
NOT for the Truth.
The Prophet Joel in Joel 1:14-15 wrote,
“Sanctify ye a Fast, call a Solemn
Assembly, gather the elders and all the
inhabitants of the land into the House of
the LORD your God, and Cry unto the
LORD, Alas for the Day! for the Day of the
LORD IS AT HAND, and as a destruction
from the Almighty SHALL IT COME.”
That word (Sanctify) means, to set aside
time to go before the Lord and seek HIS face;
to follow after righteousness (right living) and
peace; to NOT forget the assembling of yourselves together to serve and worship the Lord
(Hebrews 10:20-25). The Day of the Lord is fast
approaching; considering that Jesus came in the
end of the world (Hebrews 9:26), then we are
dangerously close to His Second Coming. If we
do NOT take time for Him now; He won’t have
any time for us when He comes to gather the
saints’ home.
March/April 2015
ACTS
In Joel 2:1 the Prophet Joel wrote,
“Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound
an alarm in MY Holy Mountain: let all the
inhabitants of the land tremble: for the Day
of the LORD COMETH, for IT IS NIGH AT
HAND.”
Sound the Alarm and DON’T keep silent, for
our adversary, the devil, as a roaring lion is doing
his best to distort the Truth and to cause Souls
(people) to sin and to lose out on Eternal Life.
While it is still today; while there is still time; do
your best to be a Witness for Jesus. The Prophet
Joel in Joel 3:14-17 wrote, “Multitudes, multitudes
in the Valley of Decision: for the Day of the LORD
IS NEAR in the Valley of Decision (vs14).”
Every individual Soul (person) MUST make
the decision as to whether or not they will serve
the Lord. Time is getting short and we never
know whether or not we will be able to live to see
another moment, therefore, we need to focus on
our Future while we still can.
“The sun and the moon shall be darkened,
and the stars shall withdraw their shining.
The LORD also shall roar out of Zion, and
utter HIS voice from Jerusalem; and the
heavens and the earth Shall Shake (vss.
15-16a):”
When stormy weather is brewing and coming your way; one has to make a decision as to
when or whether they will seek shelter from the
impending danger from the inclement weather.
There are some folk that make the wrong decision and wind up suffering harm, loss and
even death. When it comes to serving God we
CANNOT afford to make the wrong decision. The
best way to Avoid Loss is to plan for the future
now, while there is still Time.
“But the LORD will be the Hope of HIS
people, and the Strength of the children
of Israel. So shall ye know that I am the
LORD your God dwelling in Zion, MY Holy
Mountain: then shall Jerusalem be Holy,
and there shall no strangers pass through
her any more (vss. 16b-17).”
Advocating Christ The Savior
When we accept the precious shed blood of
Jesus for the remission of our sins; we have Hope
in Jesus that He WILL Save us from ALL harm
and loss. Once the Final Trumpet has sounded,
it will be too late to plan for the future. In other
words, once a Class-E4 Tornado hits your home,
it’s too late to seek shelter. Our Vision MUST be
clear; if we believe in Jesus and in the written
word of truth, the Bible; we CANNOT afford to
hesitate to make our calling and election sure.
In I Thessalonians 5:1-10 the Apostle Paul
wrote,
“But of the Times and the Seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you
(vs. 1).
If Jesus would have told mankind the times
and the seasons of His Second Coming; many
individuals would put OFF Salvation until just
before the Time and Season to accepting Jesus
as their Lord and Saviour; and before endeavoring to live a Righteous life by Observing to Keep
(Do) the Commandments and Laws of God.
“For you yourselves know perfectly that
the Day of the Lord so COMETH, as a
thief in the night (vs. 2).”
If you happen to live in an area where there
are a lot of thieves; you most likely would NOT
leave your valuables lying around where thieves
can easily see them and you would be more
likely to have good solid locks on your doors and
windows in hopes of keeping thieves away from
your valuables. We are living is parlous times;
our physical life-time is uncertain; in other words,
we don’t know when our life will end in physical
death nor when the Second Coming of Jesus will
occur. Therefore, it behooves us to ALWAYS be
READY to Meet Jesus.
“For when they shall say, Peace and
Safety; then sudden destruction COMETH
upon them, as travail upon a woman with
child; and they shall NOT escape (vs. 3).”
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Satan and his angels are ever present;
seeking to deceive us into believing that we are
alright; that the written word of truth, the Bible
doesn’t mean what it says; that God won’t really
destroy sinners. But you can be sure that God
ALWAYS says what HE means: HE means what
HE says and HE does NOT change.
About the time you get to thinking everything
is alright and you start to relax; that’s when trouble comes. We CANNOT afford to be Lax when
it comes to Serving the Lord.
“But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that
that Day should overtake you as a thief.
Ye are all the children of Light, and the
children of the day: we are not of the night,
nor of darkness (vss. 4-5).”
As Children of the Light (God); in whom
there is NO darkness; we are blessed in knowing
that the righteous Lord is watching over us; HIS
angels encamp round about us; HIS Holy Spirit
is EVER present to comfort us and to strengthen
us and to lead, guide, direct and teach us in ALL
Truth. Praise HIS holy and righteous name forevermore!
“Therefore let us not sleep, as do others;
but let us watch and be sober. For they
that sleep sleep in the night; and they that
be drunken are drunken in the night (vss.
6-7).”
We CANNOT afford to be lax or sleep; we
MUST keep our vessels (Lamps) FULL of good
oil so, that our Light will be EVER shining; waiting
and looking for Jesus to return in the Clouds of
Glory. It’s our Duty!
“But let us, who are of the day, be Sober,
PUTTING ON the Breastplate of Faith
and Love; and for an Helmet, the Hope of
Salvation (vs. 8).”
We MUST prepare ourselves to Put On
and Effectively Use the Whole armor of God; we
MUST:
“Stand therefore, having your (our) loins
(the Loins of our mind) girt about with Truth
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(the Written Word of the Lord), and having on the Breastplate of Righteousness
(Right Living from the heart); And your
feet shod with the Preparation of the
Gospel of Peace; Above all, taking the
Shield of Faith, wherewith ye shall be
able to Quench ALL the fiery darts of the
wicked. And take the Helmet of Salvation
(we MUST Know that we Know that
we are Saved), and the Sword of the
Spirit, which is the Word of God (we
need to Know how to Effectively use
the Written Word of Truth, the Bible with
its Commandments and Laws): Praying
always with all Prayer and Supplication
in the Spirit, and Watching thereunto with
all Perseverance and Supplication for all
Saints (Ephesians 6:14-18).
And,
“For God hath NOT appointed us to wrath,
but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus
Christ, Who died for us, that, whether we
wake or sleep, we should Live together
with Him (I Thessalonians 5:9-10).”
We can have confidence that our future is
looking brighter and brighter every day, because
Jesus is on our side: He’s helping us, Praise His
Holy Name! The Apostle Peter in II Peter 3:11-14
wrote,
“Seeing then that all these things shall be
dissolved, what manner of persons ought
ye to be in all Holy Conversation and
Godliness (vs. 11).”
There is a gloomy undesirable future out
there that is coming for ALL those that live an
ungodly life; for those that do NOT observe to
do HIS Commandments and do NOT observe
to follow HIS Laws. This is a Future that we do
NOT want. If we can really visualize how bad it is
going to be then, perhaps, we will be more likely
to be doing that which is right and pleasing in
the eyes of the Lord. Jesus is coming back for a
people that are without spot, and Blameless, (II
Peter 3:14).
March/April 2015
ACTS
“LOOKING FOR and hasting unto the
coming of the day of God, wherein the
heavens being on fire shall be dissolved,
and the elements shall melt with fervent
heat? (vs. 12)”
“Behold, what manner of love the Father
hath bestowed upon us, that we should be
called the sons of God: therefore the world
knoweth us not, because it knew Him not
(vs. 1).”
One thought that comes to my mind in
regards to the heavens being on fire and shall
be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with
fervent heat is, Nuclear Fusion. Nuclear Fusion
causes the very air to burn.
Our Vision for the Future is the anticipation
of the fulfillment of what God has promised to
ALL who serve HIM in spirit and in truth.
“Nevertheless, we, according to HIS
Promise, LOOK FOR New Heavens and
a New Earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye
LOOK FOR such things, be diligent that ye
may be found of HIM in Peace, WITHOUT
spot, and Blameless (vss. 13-14).”
Our Vision for the Future is the New
Heavens and an Earth made New where Jesus
is; where NO sin or wickedness exist and where
EVERYTHING is peace and joy forevermore.
Therefore, it behooves us to Be READY. Amen?
AMEN!
In St. Mark 10:29-30 we read,
“And Jesus answered and said, Verily I
Say unto you, There is no man that hath
left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father,
or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for
My Sake, and the Gospel’s, But he shall
receive an hundredfold now in this time,
houses, and brethren, and sisters, and
mothers, and children, and lands, with
persecutions; and in the WORLD TO
COME Eternal Life” (see also St. Luke
18:29-30).
Jesus is Profoundly Definite about the Fact
that we SHALL Receive ALL the blessings that
the heavenly Father has promised to give to us.
This truly is something worth looking for!
Not only do we have blessing coming when
Jesus returns in the clouds of glory but the Lord
has promised to bless us in this present life time
as well. The Apostle John in I John 3:1-3 wrote,
Advocating Christ The Savior
“Beloved, NOW are we the sons of God,
and it doth not yet appear what we shall
be: but we know that, when He SHALL
APPEAR, we SHALL BE LIKE Him; for we
SHALL SEE Him as He is (vs. 2).”
Not only has the Lord promised that we will
be joint heirs with HIS only begotten Son Jesus,
but HE has already blessed us with many wonderful blessings in this present life.
NOW, TODAY; we are the SONS of God;
Hallelujah!
“And every man that HATH THIS HOPE in
him purifieth himself, even as He is pure
(vs. 3).”
The phrase every man (whether male of
female) means us, you and I; we MUST purify
ourselves by the washing of the water of the
Word (Ephesians 5:26).
There is a chorus to a song that we used to
sing that goes like this, “Don’t lose your Vision
of Jesus, Keep your eyes Ever on Him, Many
friends and dear loved one have lost their way,
They have lost their Vision of Him.”
Remember,
“Where there is no Vision, the people
perish” (Proverbs 29:18).
Derwood A. Stewart, Minister
House of Prayer Sabbath Ministries
http://preachersteacher.org
[email protected]
9
Are These Dark Days?
In many ways, it is. Personally, and as a
Nation, many of us are seeing the future as
though it has nothing good in it.
The United States is headed into decline.
Evidence: Percent of Christians
US - 246,780,000 (79.5% of the Population)
but only 20% attend church on any given week,
and 40% attend only sporadically. I must point
out that of that 20% who attend church, only a
small percentage actually get out and actively
assist people in need.
52 percent of American Christians believe
that eternal life is not exclusively for those who
accept Jesus Christ as their savior and 46% of
Americans between the ages of 18 to 34 indicated that they had no religion.
Another new survey by the Barna group
reveals that less than 1 percent of all Americans
between the ages of 18 and 23 hold a Biblical
worldview. This new poll data clearly demonstrates that the youngest adults in America are
clearly rejecting traditional evangelical Christian
teaching.
The Barna survey defined “a Biblical worldview” as holding all of the following six key
beliefs:
Believing that absolute moral truth exists.
Believing that the Bible is completely
accurate in all of the principles it teaches.
Believing that Satan is considered to be
a real being or force, not merely symbolic.
Believing that a person cannot earn their
way into Heaven by trying to be good or by
doing good works.
Believing that Jesus Christ lived a sinless
life on earth.
Believing that God is the all-knowing,
all-powerful creator of the world who still
rules the universe today.
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At least in the US, there is still a large number
of people who actually go to church. In Europe,
Christianity has dropped from 95 percent to 78
percent. In 1910, Christians made up 35 percent
of the world population and today, they make up
32 percent. However, Many Europeans still identify themselves a Christian, but do not actively
attend Christian services. Britian, 1.4 percent
attends church, France .9 percent, Germany
1.2.
Even if you are not a Christian, there is
plenty to worry about. Take the US economy.
For only the second time in our history, we have
had a recession that lasted over 6 years. We
still haven’t recovered from it, even though the
economic numbers say we have, underemployment is the worst it has been since World War 1.
Our economy in the last 8 years has grown only
slightly even though we added 6% more people.
The European Union has passed us in GDP,
and China is likely to pass us by 2026. The oil
market has crashed, potentially bankrupting hundreds of oil companies. Even though we enjoy
the relief at the pump, that relief is at the expense
of potentially millions of jobs.
Percent of people on welfare: Financial
decline for the first time as a nation, over 50% of
the families in the nation are on welfare. Why?
The price of labor has gone down, so if you earn
a wage, it isn’t worth enough to make a decent
living, so for many people going on welfare gains
them more money than working for a living.
Increased terrorism worldwide: Between
2003 and 2011, the number of terrorism incidences tripled, to over 10000. In 1968 there
were only 150 incidences, meaning that there
are almost 100 times as many today. The chance
of a Muslim extremist country getting a nuclear
bomb is an ever increasing possibility.
March/April 2015
ACTS
For everyone, whether they are Christians
or not, it is evident that our Government has
become, more and more corrupt, and we have
become more and more accepting of it. What we
would not allow with Nixon, has become commonplace today and things even more corrupt
are swept under the rug. There is growing unrest
about the way the police handle adversity. That
unrest is creating a problem for law enforcement
that is trying to properly do its job, meaning the
world just became a more dangerous place for
the rest of us.
All in all, it’s a pretty bleak picture if you look
at it without perspective; which is why we do
need to use perspective.
First of all, No matter how bad things are
for us, they are worse for someone else. There’s
someone out there who is far worse off than you
are, believe it or not. People in slavery, people
being tortured, people in need.
The only way to improve things is if everyone reaches down to help someone in need. But
even if we all reached down and gave our brethren a hand, it wouldn’t be enough. We need to
do one more thing. We need to see things from
God’s perspective.
You see, God’s been looking down on
humanity for a long time, and he has seen nations
come and go. He’s seen them all, from the tower
of Babel to Rome, Greece, China, Egypt, India,
the British empire, and now the United States.
And before the flood, he even saw whatever civilization there was there become corrupt and evil.
As long as there are people who desire power,
and other people who will give up power for their
own gratification, there will never be a world free
from corruption. Once, God saw a reason to
destroy most of the world. “And GOD saw that
the wickedness of man was great in the earth,
and that every imagination of the thoughts of his
heart was only evil continually” (Genesis 6:5).
6) And it repented the LORD that he had
made man on the earth, and it grieved
him at his heart. He caused a great flood,
but that didn’t change man’s condition. So
God chose a man, and he saved that man.
Advocating Christ The Savior
But not one generation passed before sin
started up again, and Canaan was cursed
three chapters later, in Genesis 9. So,
once again, God chose a man, Abraham,
and God made a deal with him to make of
him a nation, set apart. But again, man’s
sinfulness intervened, and in Jeremiah
31:31 says the day will come when He
would make a new covenant with Israel.
Hebrews 8:8 quotes from Jeremiah, “For
finding fault with them, he saith, Behold,
the days come, saith the Lord, when I will
make a new covenant with the house of
Israel and with the house of Judah:” What
did that covenant require, and what does
it say about us?
Hebrews 9:22-26:
22. “And almost all things are by the law
purged with blood; and without shedding
of blood is no remission.
23. It was therefore necessary that the
patterns of things in the heavens should
be purified with these; but the heavenly
things themselves with better sacrifices
than these.
24. For Christ is not entered into the holy
places made with hands, which are the
figures of the true; but into heaven itself,
now to appear in the presence of God for
us:
25. Nor yet that he should offer himself
often, as the high priest entereth into the
holy place every year with blood of others;
26. For then must he often have suffered
since the foundation of the world: but
now once in the end of the world hath he
appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice
of himself.”
We all know what John 3:16 says, “16 For
God so loved the world, that he gave his only
begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him
should not perish, but have everlasting life.
We are all unworthy of God. But we are also,
Loved by Him. And because he loves us, he gave
us a gift. That gift is an opportunity to be with Him
always. And we only need one thing,
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to proclaim that Jesus Christ is Lord; which people have been doing ever since Jesus died. Many
of them were martyred for it, too, but that didn’t
stop them. When you have been given such a gift
for eternal life, why would you worry about this
temporary life here anyway? We as Christians
have the hope of that life to offset any pains that
we endure in this life. Revelation 21:4, “And God
shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and
there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor
crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for
the former things are passed away.”
But that’s going to take a sacrifice of something else. Before a new world can come, God
has to do away with the old.
So, as we see these temporary things passing away, remember, even the things we see as
glorious, and wonderful, are nothing compared to
the glory of things to come. Just as the glory of
Moses’ shining face after his talk with God was
nothing compared to the glory of Christ, so the
glories of this world are only a poor reflection of
what we have to look forward to in the world that
is to come.
In one sentence, what I have been trying to
say is this: ‘The darker things look, the more
we need to look to God.’
By Rodney Boone, General Council President
“And I saw a new heaven and a new earth:
for the first heaven and the first earth were
passed away; and there was no more
sea. And he that sat upon the throne said,
Behold, I make all things new. And he said
unto me, Write: for these words are true
and faithful” (Revelation 21:1, 5).
2014 Camp Meeting Media
Restoration: Past,
Present, Future
CD’s $5.00 each / DVD’s$8.00 each (unedited)
Restoration
by Paul Woods
Restoration Blueprint
by Ken Walker
Restoration by Declaration
by Jon Carson
The Beloved Psalms
by Calvin Burrell
Is this the Time When You
Will Restore the Kingdom?
by Monico Muffley
How to Get Rid of Some
of Those Waves
by Rodney Boone
12
March/April 2015
ACTS
Meridian Camp Meeting
June 29 through July 4, 2015
“He that has an ear, let him
hear…”
Revelation 2:7
We cordially invite you to be part of HISTORY! Join us in the
renewal process! Not only is it a great time of FELLOWSHIP with old
Friends and Family; but also a great time to make NEW Friends in Christ.
– Come and incline your EARS and LISTEN: If you have SPIRITUAL
UNDERSTANDING; then come and let’s HEAR what God has to say!!
Many are already praying and fasting and listening! You can be part of
the HOLY SPIRIT’S redirection. Camp Meeting is also an opportunity to
REGOVERN. We especially want to appeal to our YOUNGER generation
that can bring fresh leadership.
Good Youth and Children’s programs. Every year, our staff of volunteers, locally and out-of-State have done a marvelous job; large or small
attendance, Ministry to them looks the same! They give their All! Nothing
Less!
Good Food, fun, games, Bible Studies, and Spirit filled Worship
services in the evenings, with great Sermons. We need at least three more
Preachers to volunteer.
COME AND DINE!
Advocating Christ The Savior
13
Praise the Lord in Love
(This is the fourth article in the series for newly declared Christians)
Praise means ‘to give credit for’ or ‘homage.’ You should definitely give God the credit for
everything He has made and everything He has done for you to make life a wonderful experience.
Learning to love God through prayer, reading His Word, and singing praise songs and choruses is
a good start.
Look again at Matthew 22:37. It says to love the Lord with all your heart, with all your soul,
AND with all your mind.
Heart means “the core or center of anything.” It also means “tenderness, sympathy, and
sweetness of character.”
Soul means “the spiritual part of a human being.”
Mind means “the intellectual thinking and reasoning of a person.”
Observe the significance of each part of this verse.
First, love the Lord with the core of your being, using the qualities of tenderness,
sympathy and sweetness as your strength.
Next, love the Lord with your entire spiritual being.
Lastly, love the Lord by studying the Bible step by step to distinguish right from wrong
and accept it as truth.
Colossians 3:14-15 says “And above all these things put on charity (love) which is the bond
of perfection (completeness with Christ). And let the peace of God rule in your hearts.” Can you
imagine being at peace in the core of your being?
John 4:23 says “true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit (with your soul) and in
truth (with your mind): for the Father seeketh such to worship Him.” Verse 24 goes on to say “God
IS a spirit; and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth.”
Mark 12:30 adds “loving the Lord with all your strength,” which is all the power within you.
You must work to attain a loving relationship with the Lord like you work at loving relationship with
your spouse. Loving the Lord can also be expressed by praising the Lord in singing uplifting gospel
songs and choruses. Find a Christian radio station to listen to while going to work in the car and at
home. It is fun to learn praise songs by singing along with the radio.
Fourth Challenge: Sing a joyful, uplifting song every day, even if it’s just a chorus.
14
March/April 2015
ACTS
Daughters of the King
Camp Meeting is coming!! Save the dates (June 29-July 4th) and prepare to be Blessed by
all the activities, seminars, services and food. Mathew 18:20,
“Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”
Comforting words indeed!!
Plans for the Woman’s Tea are in progress for our Daughters of the King meeting at the
annual Camp Meeting 2015. The exact date has not been set yet, but I am looking forward to
the gathering. I would like to ask anyone planning on coming to bring a tea cup and saucer to
exchange. If you don’t have one please, come anyway!! I will be bringing extra to share with those
who may not have a spare one. Of course, if you also have an extra, please bring it. Like people,
each tea cup is different and special to someone. So if you decide to come at the last minute, or
have a friend who decides to come, we will have extra!!
We will have some craft times set into the schedule and I have some neat ideas to share.
Likewise, if you have a craft idea, that could be demonstrated, please let me know. You would
need to bring the supplies for it and a finished product. Anything cute, or easy, or made with supplies you might have around the house is welcomed!!
Seems like this year of 2015 is moving along all too quickly: We all have our worries,
concerns and stresses to deal with in our lives, but all things are possible with the Lord (Mathew
19:26). Let’s start every day with praise and prayer, and the peace of the Lord will be with you. My
prayer for all of you is that the Lord is with you and holding your hand always.
See you all at Camp Meeting!!
Yours in Christ,
Becky Lincoln
The officers elected at 2014 camp meeting:
Becky Lincoln
Millie Palmer
Marilyn Sheldahl
Kara Syvanen
Mary Lou Molinar
President
Vice President/Store Manager
Secretary/Treasurer
Committee Woman
Committee Woman
Contact me or any of the officers if you have any questions or suggestions: [email protected]
Advocating Christ The Savior
15
General Council Churches
(Seventh) Day Inc.
1827 West 3rd ST
Meridian ID 83646-1653
of
God
Non-Profit Organization
PAID
Permit Number 25
Meridian, Idaho
Address Service Requested
Contact us: by Mail
Phone (208) 888-3380
or
E-mail [email protected]
Website: www.actsforgod.org
Meridian Camp Meeting
June 29 through July 4, 2015
“He that has an ear, let him hear…”
Revelation 2:7
COME AND DINE!