In This Issue…

The Resource Corner | Bible Promises | Feast of Tabernacles Sites

Article…

You Shall Not Commit Adultery [Part 2]

The same Christian who would never think of sleeping with another man’s wife, regularly commits another form of adultery.

Adultery is heinous in the eyes of God. No matter whether a man sleeps with his neighbor’s wife, or buys sexual favors from a street-corner whore, adultery is adultery. The results are seen in broken homes and shattered families.

An ancient nation was shattered by adultery of another sort, and our Christian nations continue to commit it today. God calls it whoring after other gods (Judges 2:17).

Now before you write me with the usual hate mail, read the undeniable truth in your own Bible.

The Israelites had worshipped Egyptian gods through several generations. When God showed them He was the God of power, and rescued them from their enslavers, He had a right to believe they would follow Him exclusively. But did they?

God related the story to Ezekiel, saying there were two women, the daughters of one mother. In their youth, they committed whoredoms, referring to their service to the Egyptian gods.

After being delivered to the land of Palestine, civil war resulted in Judah parting company from the rest of Israel. God called the ten tribes Aholah, and Judah was named Aholibah.

Aholah played the harlot and committed whoredoms with the nations around her, and defiled herself with their idols. Not only that, she never really left the Egyptian gods behind.

God therefore, “...delivered her into the hands of her lovers,” who took the ten-tribed kingdom captive to the Caspian Sea area, from whence they were dispersed through the known world, and beyond, (Ezekiel 23:1-10).

One might think Judah, now known as the Jews, would have learned a lesson from this, but God continued saying, “And when her sister Aholibah saw this, she was more corrupt in her inordinate love than she, and in her whoredoms more than her sister in her whoredoms,” verse 11. The Jews were worse than the rest of Israel.

The remaining verses describe how God would deal with Judah, and for what. “I will do these things unto thee because thou hast gone a whoring after the heathen, and because thou art polluted with their idols,” verse 30. “They that have committed adultery, and blood is in their hands, and with their idols have they committed adultery, and have also caused their sons, whom they bare unto Me, to pass for them through the fire, to devour them. Moreover this they have done unto Me: they have defiled My sanctuary in the same day, and have profaned My Sabbaths,” verses 37-38. One need not wonder why the Jews became scattered throughout the world, and why, today, they cannot find peace. It’s all there in the record of Ezekiel.

But, what does this have to do with Christianity? We haven’t gone whoring after other gods. We haven’t profaned God’s Sabbaths. Oh?

God told Israel, “Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen....one cutteth a tree out of the forest....They deck it with silver and with gold,” Jeremiah 10:2-4. So, what do Christians do every December? They follow the way of the heathen.

What about every springtime? Christians honor an ancient Anglo-Saxon goddess called Eastre, but call their celebrations Christian. In so doing, they profane God’s holy days, Leviticus 23:1-44, as well as his weekly Sabbaths.

What does God say about this? He warned the ancient Israelites, and warns us today, “Take heed to thyself that thou be not snared by following them, after that they be destroyed from before thee; and that thou enquire not after their gods, saying, How did these nations serve their gods? even so will I do likewise,” Deuteronomy 12:30. “Thou shalt not do so unto the LORD thy God,” verse 31.

We cannot incorporate heathen gods and practices into the worship of the eternal God, and expect Him to look the other way forever. The commandment states, “Thou shalt not commit adultery,” neither with your neighbor’s wife, nor with the gods of the ancients.

— by Leslie A. Turvey

laturvey@becon.org

Hmmm…

Many believe that Mary was the most-mentioned woman in the Bible. Actually, it was Sarah (56 times).

From the Editor…

Truth or Consequences

Before even making an attempt to properly and fully identify a problem, people shoot from the hip, grasp at straws, or tilt at windmills trying to influence the issue with their preconceived ideology, often motivated by a sense of inflated knowledge or self importance.

Complicating matters is the fact that no one is really looking for truth. Witness the political, judicial, or media arenas. (Given the current societal unrest and havoc, I think “arena” is a very appropriate word.) Unfortunately, truth can be very elusive, even to one who is sincerely trying to find it.

Bernard Goldberg, a self-confessed liberal news commentator, admitted in his books, Bias and Arrogance, a disdain for truth in favor of personal agenda, but ventured (correctly, I believe) that the conservatives do the same.

When a problem or difference arises, there is no one who seeks truth. Like the pettifogger (lawyer) said: “My client doesn’t want truth or justice, he wants acquittal.”

When a solution is sought without a diligent search for facts, the result can only be wrong and will compound the problem. We tend to find what we are looking for.

Hence the inevitability of the saying: “It will come back to bite you.” We turn to solutions that are often worse than the original problem.

An example is that marriages and families are disaster areas, and have become spawning “arenas” for people looking for alternatives: cohabitation, homosexual relationships and marriages, divorces, single parenting, abortion, premarital sex, prostitution, and other options too depraved to speak of.

Man has had 6,000 years to prove that his way won’t work; they are ways of death. But we (translate that, you and me) keep trying new ways to end up with the same old fatal solutions based on very familiar lies, omitting or overlooking the truth, the WHOLE truth, and nothing but the truth.

A new concept: Why not TRY to see things as God would, not presumptuously or with its evil twin, arrogance, but with the firm conviction that no matter what the problem or consequences:

Rule 1: MAN’S (MY) SOLUTIONS WILL FALL SHORT. Bad consequences have always followed man’s way. We must remain vigilant. When all seems right, something is going to come back to bite you.

In 1987, the Rockdale County High School Bulldogs from Conyers, Georgia, won the state boys’ basketball championship — the only state championship the school had ever won. Their record was 21-5. The title game was a dramatic come-from-behind victory that left the students, teachers, and parents at Rockdale glowing with pride. The school board donated a brand-new glass showcase to house the state trophy. For weeks, people from all over the community would stop in and stare at that trophy in pride.

Then one day, some parents came in and found the showcase empty. Coach Cleveland Stroud had given the trophy back and had surrendered the state championship to the team his Bulldogs had defeated. Coach Stroud discovered that in the first game of the state tournament, a boy played for 45 seconds without scoring or having an impact. However, the young man was academically ineligible, and Coach Stroud had not been informed prior to the playoffs. Several people told him to remain quiet about it. After all, the kid only played 45 seconds in one game — and he didn’t even score. He had made no difference in their title run. But, Cleveland Stroud said: “You’ve got to do what’s honest and right to live in this world. I told my team that people forget the scores of basketball games; but they never forget what you’re made of.”

Things look very encouraging based on that report, but within ten years, an event occurred so horrific, that it was aired as a special on PBS Frontline, “The Children of Rockdale County,” which showed the depravity that comes from parental neglect.

I am still haunted by that story, which leads me to:

Rule 2: THE ONLY HOPE IS THE RETURN OF CHRIST AND THE KINGDOM.

Truth has not, generally, been sought or applied. Jesus said: “I am the way, the truth, and the life,” (John 14:6).

I don’t claim to have the answers. I just know that any solution for any problem man proposes for peace, marriage, family, politics, economics, religion, or education, is doomed to ultimately fail. Show me otherwise in history. Our analysis is and has been fatally flawed, because we rely on our human observation.

Perhaps we should try — really try — looking at things through God’s Word and His eyes for a change.

— by Steven J. Kieler

Fact…

Jesus Christ was not His name. “Christ” is a title, which is derived from a Greek word meaning “the anointed one.” To be correct, He should be referred to as “Jesus the Christ.”

Church News…

Church of God, Sabbath Day

Omaha, NE meets in Sioux City, IA

The Church of God, Sabbath Day, Omaha, NE had Sabbath services in Sioux City, IA on June 12th with twenty-one in attendance. Steve Kieler’s sermon was the last in a series on lying called “Truth or Consequences.” He showed us how lying and deceit permeate all other sins. It’s amazing how deceit is entwined throughout the Bible.

Dorothy Carrell, Randy Carrell, Cindy Jackson, Darren Flaugh, Ruth and Marvin Carrell

After a potluck dinner, William Paulson of Omaha presented an informative Bible Study on different issues starting in Matthew.

Marla Brandes, William and Mary Paulson,

Elijah Paulson, Dorothy Carrell, Steve and Suzanne Kieler

Frank and Diane Zemlicka, Terry Knutson, Patty and Jeff Zemlicka, Jim McCormick

Not pictured: Keith Besch and Millie Smith

— by Suzanne Kieler

Hmmm…

Why is lemon juice made with artificial flavor, and dishwashing liquid made with real lemons?

Of Interest…

Twenty-Third Psalm Made Simple

In his beautiful book, I Shall Not Want, Robert Ketchum tells of a Sunday school teacher who asked her group of children if anyone could quote the entire 23rd Psalm. A golden-haired, four-and-a-half-year-old girl was among those who raised their hands. A bit skeptical, the teacher asked if she could really quote the entire psalm.

The little girl came to the front of the room, faced the class, made a perky little bow, and said,

“The Lord is my shepherd, that’s all I want.”

She bowed again and returned to her seat.

That may well be the greatest interpretation of the 23rd Psalm ever heard.

Article…

Decisions! Decisions!

How do you make decisions? Flip a coin? Consult your horrible scope? Or are your decisions based on God’s perfect way?

It’s springtime, and the kids are playing “Not It!” You know the game. It’s called Tag. But the kids spend more time shouting, “1-2-3 Not it!” than they do running to avoid being tagged, or trying to tag someone else so he becomes “It.”

At the neighborhood sandlot, a bunch of kids flip a coin to see which team is up to bat first. And at the grocery store, the mother decides it’s easier to buy the breakfast cereal the kid wants to stop his screaming tantrums.

We make decisions every day. Should we get up when the alarm sounds, or hit the snooze button for a few extra zzzs? Should we swing by the donut shop to buy some treats for the guys at work? Should we answer the phone, or pretend we’re not home?

Most decisions aren’t earth shattering. The world will still spin on its axis if our decisions aren’t quite perfect. But, there are times when our decisions can be a matter of life and death.

A fellow from our town always drove home along a rural road with a level railway crossing. He always crossed the tracks at the same time, and the express freight reached the crossing two minutes later. He was so confident about his time, and the train’s, that he decided not to look up the track. One day… (You know the rest of the story).

When Dad was teaching me to drive, a large ball rolled in front of our car. “Stop!” commanded Dad. He told me, “When a ball rolls into the street, a kid is sure to follow.” If I decided to disobey Dad’s command, a young boy would never have retrieved his ball.

Why do we need to make decisions? Wouldn’t life be easier if God made them for us?

Aside from keeping the Almighty busy making billions of decisions every second, we would soon learn to hate Him. He would stop us from killing ourselves with tobacco. He’d force us to live with one wife, and not to indulge in sexual relations until she was our wife. He wouldn’t even let us work a few weekend hours to earn extra cash so we could buy the wall-size television we want. Even if we had the extra cash, He might decide we don’t need such a gigantic screen, or picture-in-picture, or a satellite dish to pull in two thousand channels. God could make life very miserable for us, couldn’t He?

When God created Adam and Eve, He told them everything in the garden was for them. But they were not to eat the fruit from one particular tree (Genesis 2:16-17). Now He could have wired their brains so they would not go near that tree, but that would make them automatons, not humans.

God gave man rulership over everything that breathes (Genesis 1:26). To do this, man would have to make decisions, even as to what each thing would be named (Genesis 2:19). And what about that tree? God’s first law was given in the Garden of Eden, “Don’t touch that tree.”

For those who say God’s law is a burden, it’s notable that His law gave our forefathers freedom — freedom to choose whether to make a Godly decision.

As adults we need to make Godly decisions, not only for our own well being, but to teach our children how to make their own wise decisions; because every decision, right or wrong, has its consequence, as the fellow at the railway crossing discovered too late.

God’s way is perfect (II Samuel 22:31). Why should our freedom to decide be based on any way that is less than perfect? The consequences will be less than perfect, and they could be eternal.

— by Leslie A. Turvey

Hmmm…

Why is the man who invests all your money called a broker?

Penned from Prison…

I Got the Call

Yes, I believe Jehovah/Yahweh, our Father, called me to Jesus/Yahshua the Messiah (John 6:44, 65) and hope to be one of the chosen (Matthew 22:14). I never really considered myself a “bad person” (I Corinthians 11:31), but deep down inside, I knew I was doing many things that I shouldn’t. The biggest mistake of my life was to be caught up in the crazy world of sexual addiction. What started as recreational, became a coping mechanism; therefore a full-blown addiction that has destroyed every aspect of my life. Eventually, and not surprisingly, my problems caught up with me, and I did something that landed me in prison. I made many poor choices, sabotaging my future as I’ve done so much of the time.

My life was spinning out of control for years, being left at my Aunt’s by my mother, because of my being sick only weeks after my birth. She had two other siblings to care for and had to work. Just before I turned four, she took me back to live with her and her new husband. The result was that everything in my life, as I knew it, was stripped from me, leaving me not being able to trust anyone. The person who was supposed to protect me, hurt me the most, even though she thought it best at the time.

So I’ve battled to survive throughout life, suffering from low self esteem by staying withdrawn and refusing to be hurt in such a way ever again. This all left me with a lonely childhood, resulting in being moved to over twenty-five schools before the eighth grade. I had a bad temper, behavioral problems, and did not get along with my peers. Mostly, I guess I was paranoid. I’ve been told that it still affects my life today.

I do not wish prison on anyone, but it became a learning transition for me. I found myself surrounded by heathen and an unpredictable environment. However, if one fears Jehovah/Yahweh, they need not fear men. Anyone can fight, but it takes a real believer to let Jehovah/Yahweh fight his battles for him (Romans 12:19).

If we have peace within, we can face battles from outside sources. My real battle isn’t with people around me, but rather with the passions within me (Romans 7:13-25.) I like to think that I’m maintaining a good attitude, for attitudes determine the outcomes, and weak or wrong attitudes can be defeating. Life has proven this point to me many times over, and I’m still struggling with it; but I’m taking it day by day.

I have confessed my sins to my Master Jesus/Yahshua, genuinely repented of them, and believe I’ve been forgiven (Romans 10:10.) I try not to look back on my sinful past (Jeremiah 6:16; Luke 9:62), for Satan uses the memories of the past to discourage and defeat me. Those not in Jesus/Yahshua the Messiah have a present that’s controlled by their past, but believers have a present that’s controlled by the future hope (Philippians 3:12-21).

The incidents that brought me to prison didn’t warrant the sentence I received, but then again, I did many things that went unpunished. Therefore, I feel that I’m collectively paying my debt to society. However, I feel I couldn’t pay Jehovah/Yahweh back for my past behavior, but with His undeserved grace and forgiveness, I can start anew.

I feel the “trial” that I’m going through is a refining process by which Jehovah/Yahweh is removing my dross and purifying me. However, I feel every one of His children will experience a certain amount of “trials” (Acts 14:22). Sometimes “trials” discipline us when we’ve disobeyed Jehovah’s/Yahweh’s will (Psalm 119:67), preparing us for spiritual growth or help to prevent us from sinning (II Corinthians 12:1-9).

I blame no one but myself for my woes, hold no ill feelings towards anyone, and if my sufferings become a blessing to me (I Corinthians 2:9), it will not be in vain. A faith that can’t be tested can’t be trusted.

Should someone be willing to communicate, letters would be most welcomed and I will respond to letters received. Thank you for reading my article.

— by Tim Powell #196694

Baraga Maximum Correctional Facility

301 Wadaga Road

Baraga, MI 49908

Obituary…

Joseph A. Orie, Nigerian Evangelist, Dies

Born April 4, 1943, Evangelist Joseph A. Orie died at the end of the Sabbath on April 27, 2004. He was ordained by the late J.O. Nwokeafor, General Overseer of the Church of God Seventh Day in Nigeria. Through self-study, Orie distinguished himself as a learned minister.

He served several local Churches, and evangelized throughout southeastern Nigeria, establishing Churches as he went. At one time, he was General Overseer of the Church in Nigeria. He preached at his home Church at Egwe-Oguta, Imo State, where just a few months before his death he baptized five new converts.

Joseph Orie is survived by his wife Mabel, and five children, one of whom is married, and the others adolescents. Among those who gave funeral orations were Pastors Boniface “Bonny” Okolo, and Jude Adindu Anyanwu, Giving & Sharing representatives in Nigeria. Pastor Jude reports that Orie wrote many songs, and I hope to be able to share some of them with you.

My friendship through correspondence with Joseph Orie extended back more than twenty years. He impressed me as a dedicated servant of the Messiah.

The dedication of the Church of God in Nigeria has been an inspiration to others and myself. As Pastor Jude states, “Pastor, Evangelist, prophet Joseph Arodiwe Orie was an erudite minister with all the wealth of Scriptural experience and learning.

“If it were in the world, Joseph was overdue for an award of a doctorate degree in religion, but suffice it to say that the Church of God is a spiritual Kingdom which does not place any premium on the award of worldly honor and distinctions as a result of one’s great achievements, but her ministers are content with the manifestation of the gifts of God in them with which they work in the Vineyard of the Lord God.”

Giving & Sharing sends bulk shipments of our free Newsletters and Bibles to Nigeria. We encourage you to correspond with our Nigerian brethren. Write:

Jude M. Adindu Anyanwu, Box 264, Nkwogu, Aboh Mbaise, Imo State. E-mail: pastorjudeadindu@yahoo.com, or

Bonny Okolo, Box 9589, Enugu, Enugu State, Nigeria. E-mail: bisenus@yahoo.com

If you decide to assist the Nigerian brethren with Bible literature, you may wish to ship directly to Africa (we recommend using economical surface rate M-bags from the U.S. postal service), or contribute funds and/or literature to Giving & Sharing for our “Bibles to Africa” project.

— by Richard C. Nickels

Hmmm…

Libel and slander are often confused. Libel is printed and slander is spoken.

Church News…

Giving & Sharing Materials in Eastern Europe

Aleksandar Veljic, known as Sasha in COG circles, writes of his pleasure to receive Giving & Sharing materials:

“Greetings from Zrenjanin, a town in Serbia and the only place in East Europe where a small collection of books related to God’s Truth is located. A few days ago, I received several magazines from Giving & Sharing along with the precious Six Papers on the History of the Church of God, written by Richard Nickels. I keep reading the Six papers. I have covered the history of the COG in England; I am now into reading about its development in the USA — absolutely fantastic material.

“I also got a sheet with materials that Giving & Sharing offers. Some of those materials are free; others are to be paid for. I wish I was able to pay for many of them and obtain them for the spiritual benefit of people in Serbia who are striving to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints.

“On the list of materials that you offer, I noticed that you would send items free as funds allow to those that are not able to afford to send your suggested donation. Also, I noticed a note on the list which underlines that Giving & Sharing helps the needy in accordance with Matthew 25:31-46 as part of the requirement for spreading the Good News. Upon reading that, an idea was born in my mind.

“It is true that both I and those who hold fast to the Truth over here live in fairly destitute conditions. Also, there are other Sabbath-keeping groups in the country that do need at least a spiritual support to uphold their holding fast to the true Biblical doctrines. However, in spite of both my physical conditions and the fact that the country is economically devastated, the precious Truth of God is more important than my (our) passing physical life. For that reason, I wanted to appeal to you to consider a one-time aid to Serbia.

“Such aid wouldn’t be related to any physical thing, but purely in spiritual materials that are needed for our spiritual survival in this region.

“I noticed that you send aid to widows and orphans; free Bibles, etc. which surely are worthwhile efforts. In light of this dedication to your mission of spreading the Good News in the best way possible, please consider this: The country that we live in lacks every possible spiritual material that is needed to strengthen our faith in God.

“The country is steeped in pagan traditions and customs. We do have very few spiritual resources as far as literature is concerned, but none of those sources was written by people from our spiritual legacy. Rather, those materials were written by SDA people (and there is not much value in them) or some other Sabbath-keeping groups (such literature usually lacks the depth of things that Giving & Sharing offers). Therefore, that means that we are left with no choice when it comes to pure Biblical doctrinal teachings in print.

“The preaching of the Gospel in the last century did not leave any legacy in this region since there were no converted individuals or people who cared about it. What you offer is a spiritual treasure beyond any expectations.

“Over the last several years, I have tried to collect and compose a set of books that would form a good logistical basis for those who want to follow the voice of the Good Shepherd. So far I have had a very limited success simply because I lack material resources to order various things that would uphold the biblical teachings. Upon seeing the list of your materials, as well as your willingness to spread the Good News, I saw an opportunity that would resolve this void that exists in our region. If possible, please help. I realize that it wouldn’t be possible to send all the desired materials at once, nor do I ask you to do that. The way I envisioned this is to mark, all those desired items on the list, so that you could send them one at a time over the next several years.

“In that way, I would be able to compile all those materials into the existent collection and make them available to all those that are interested to get to know the only One True God. (May His Name be honored forever and ever.) Most of the items that I am interested in are printed materials and some HWA audiotapes.

“Thank you for at least considering this request. In Christ’s name, Sasha.”

Note: I responded to Sasha, asking him to provide a list of the five items he would most like to receive. As funds are available, we will send him some of these items. Those wishing to contact Sasha may E-mail him at cbbj@sezampro.yu. If you wish to designate funds specifically for free Giving & Sharing materials to Serbia, write: Serbia Project, c/o Giving & Sharing, 3316 Alberta Drive, Gillette, WY 82718.

— by Richard C. Nickels

Hmmm…

If the population of China walked past you, in single file, the line would never end because of the rate of reproduction.

If you are an average American, in your whole life, you will spend an average of six months waiting at red lights.

Tigers have striped skin, not just striped fur.

Article…

You are Laborers of God

Are we as Christians to be involved in the Work of God or just to sit in the sidelines and observe the leadership of the Church in action? Some Christians believe that their efforts as individuals are insufficient in preaching the Gospel. What is the Biblical point of view on this topic? It is worth our efforts to study it.

Jesus presents a parable about the Kingdom of God and judgment in Matthew 25.

Matthew 9:36-38 says, “But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. Then saith He unto His disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the laborers are few; pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that He will send forth laborers into His harvest.” The disciples were told that they should pray for more laborers to assist in the Work.

Then in Matthew 25:34-36, “Then shall the King say unto them on His right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was an hungered, and ye gave Me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave Me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took Me in: naked, and ye clothed Me: I was sick, and ye visited Me: I was in prison, and ye came unto Me.”

The righteous ones were confused on this matter and asked when they had performed these deeds to him.

The King’s reply was verse 40, “…Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these My brethren, ye have done it unto Me.”

Note that the deeds mentioned in this parable were not what many individuals would call great deeds; but the King, which represents Jesus Christ in the parable, considered them as great deeds.

In Galatians 6:9-10, Paul states, “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.”

II Thessalonians 3:13 states, “But ye, brethren, be not weary [faint not] in well doing.” We can be a witness by what we do instead of what we say. Our actions do speak louder than words, which could cause someone to inquire of our beliefs. This is one way to open a door.

James 2:18-19 says, “Yea, a man may say, thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.” You will note that James would show his faith by his works or actions.

We can conclude from just these few verses that we are to do something. Our actions can include writing a friend who is sick or visiting the elderly, or just sending cards of encouragement to those that are discouraged, or even inviting someone to Church. These seemingly small deeds are not as small to God as stated in the parable in Matthew 25.

And, yes, some individuals may conduct Bible studies with friends and family as their way to spread the Gospel as well.

Whatever way you choose to be a laborer of God, whether it is in simple deeds of kindness to others, conducting Bible studies, or just assisting your Church in special programs, God will surely honor your efforts with many blessings.

— by Doyle J. Carter

PO Box 690592

Tulsa, OK 74169

Quote…

None are more hopelessly enslaved than those who falsely believe they are free.

— by Johann von Goethe, 1742-1832

Article…

A Tragic Story

He was a good man, a priest, a high priest, and a “son” of Aaron. He knew right from wrong and he didn’t like to see people drunk in the area of God’s House. So, Eli rebuked Hannah when he thought she was drunk but joined her in her quest for a son when he found out otherwise. His two sons, Hophini and Phinehas, (meaning “tadpole” and “the Nubian”), were given Egyptian names. It probably wasn’t Eli who named them. Perhaps it was their mother.

Once Hannah had her son, she dedicated him to God and brought him to Eli for the service of the temple. Eli virtually raised him in the service of God. Samuel listened to Eli and followed his instructions. However, the contrast between Eli’s sons and Hannah’s son could hardly be greater. While Samuel “ministered to the Eternal,” the sons of Eli were worthless men who “did not know the Eternal.” That is, they had no regard for YHVH (I Samuel 2:11-12). Eli’s sons “despised the offering of the Eternal.” By contrast, Samuel was “ministering before the Eternal” (verse 17-18). While Samuel “grew before the Eternal,” Eli heard that his sons “lay with the women who served” at the tent of meeting (verse 21-22). It was not by accident that the author of I Samuel placed these statements in stark contrast!

Eli was so strict with Hannah thinking she was drunk, but so soft on his own sons for doing all they had done: “…Why do ye do such things? for I hear of your evil dealings by all this people,” verse 23. This is typical of parents who cannot set limits and have no standards. They ask, “Why did you do that?” This is one of the most useless questions a parent can ask. It teaches a child that if s/he can come up with a good enough reason, whatever s/he did would be OK. The “Why?” question would be better replaced with “What?” or “How?”; “What did you do?” “How did this happen?” “Where were you when it happened?” “Who else was involved?” These are much better questions than “Why?”

He told them: “The report is not good which I hear from the Eternal’s people” (verse 24). He warned them that if God did something to them, no one could intercede. But “they would not listen” to their father (verse 25).

By contrast, “Samuel was growing in stature and in favor (grace) both with the Eternal and with men” (verse 26). It seems evident that Eli left the rearing of his sons up to his wife. He probably did not have much of a relationship with them.

Samuel received a dream that restated what a “man of God” told Eli (I Samuel 2:27-36). It was so dramatic that Samuel didn’t want to tell it to Eli, but Eli knew God was speaking to Samuel and demanded to be told. From the boy he reared came the message that God was going to carry out the punishment He promised against Eli. “For I have told him...because his sons made themselves vile, and he restrained them not,” (I Samuel 3:13).

Because of this evil, God would not deliver Israel from the hand of the Philistines (I Samuel 4:2). Then the “elders of Israel” got the idea to send the Ark of the Covenant out to the front lines with the soldiers to give confidence to the soldiers and to figuratively put God into the battle against Philistines. Surely, the men of Israel thought that if God’s Ark was there, they couldn’t lose to the Philistines. But, here is a lesson for all. Righteousness counts more than “holy things” or symbols!

Israel lost 30,000 men, the Ark was captured, and Eli’s sons were killed. When Eli (“lofty” or “exalted”) heard about the Ark he fell off his seat backward and broke his neck and died (he was old, blind, and overweight). Phinehas’ wife died in childbirth and the house of God was empty, only a shell in Shiloh.

— by Dr. David Antion

Guardian Ministries

PO Box 50734

Pasadena, CA 91115

drdaveca@earthlink.net

Article…

Basic Christianity

Am I Being Called? How Do I Know?

There is much concern by some as to whether or not God is calling them to Jesus the Christ. First, we must come to realize why God calls someone to Christ at this time and in this age. I Corinthians 1:26 says, “For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called.”

That is seemingly a very harsh analysis of our human condition upon first reading, isn’t it? Why would God call people who are ‘nothing’ to make them His Children? What in the world is behind all this?

The reasons God does this are shown in I Corinthians 1:27-28, “But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to naught things that are.” He has chosen the foolish, weak, and despised people to confound the mighty of this world to bring them to nothing at a time in the future so He can begin to work with them also.

At this present time, their human wisdom, might, and stature in this world (through their vanity) will not allow them to submit to God. Their nature is enmity (Romans 8:7) against God and not subject to Him. Normal human nature hates the ways of God. These mighty human beings glory in their own presence. God must humble them because I Corinthians 1:29 says, “That no flesh should glory in His presence.” Yes, to God will be the glory! He will have all the glory, majesty, and honor from those He has created.

We must also realize that a person can only come to Jesus if God is drawing (calling) them to Jesus Christ (John 6:44, 65)! Once we realize why God calls whom He calls, and how He calls, we can then begin to believe and understand that He might be calling us.

What Then?

There comes an understanding that what God says in His Word is Truth! It is an understanding that there truly is a real God, and that He is able to do as He has said He will do! It is an understanding that God hates sin and will eventually eradicate it from existence. It is an understanding that God loves mankind and has made a way of escape from this trap of sin, which so easily besets us!

Where is the Source?

From where does that understanding come? From God, through His Holy Spirit, of course. Why do we want to ‘come to Christ?’ Because God has begun to work on our guilty conscience. He has begun to call us and make us understand that Jesus was, and is, truly the Son of the Living God.

How Do We Know?

How do we know and understand that? Matthew 16:13-17, “When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, He asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the Living God.” Jesus then made a statement that most people miss in their reading of the Scriptures: verse 17 “And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-Jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but My Father which is in heaven.”

Yes, God the Father had revealed it to Peter through the power of His Holy Spirit! Peter could not have known this unless God had opened his understanding to it through God’s Holy Spirit! The only way we can know that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God is through the revelation of God’s Mind to our mind, making us know, for certain, that Jesus is the Christ!

Do you know? If so, it is because God has revealed it to you through the power of His Holy Spirit as He is calling you! Why then do you want to stop sinning? Why have you begun to wonder what truly is sin? Because God is convicting you of your sins, and leading you to question everything you do in relationship to Him and Jesus.

But what is sin? I John 3:4, “Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.” Thus saith the Lord. Sin is the breaking of God’s law! What is that Law? It begins with the Ten Commandments as the foundation of all law. Those Ten Commandments give us a summary, or outline, of exactly what we must do to quit sinning!

Of course, these are not all the laws we must obey! We must search the Scriptures for those things in which we must be obedient to God (II Timothy 2:15). Those laws include such things as His Holy Days, specifically described in Leviticus 23, and called His feasts! No, they aren’t the feasts of the Jews. They are God’s Feasts!

You will also find other commandments, which He has given to us for our good. He tells us what physical foods are good for our bodies, and He tells us what spiritual foods are good for our mind. All this can only come through the study of God’s Word, and understanding can only come through God’s Holy Spirit as you progress, and “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (II Peter 3:18). It will come step by step, as you are able to receive it. It will come to you personally through God’s Holy Spirit because He is working with you personally and you must make your calling and election sure.

God says through the Apostle Paul: “Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling,” Philippians 2:12. Yes, we must work out our own salvation between God and us individually. Not with some preacher, priest, or rabbi between God and us!

Only Jesus the Savior should be between God and us — not some man or woman. Ministers are to be servants just as we are and cannot be an advocate between God and us. Only Jesus is our Advocate with God the Father. I John 2:1, “My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.” Don’t let anybody else or anything else get between you and God!

Responsibility

When we have been called, what must we do? The Apostle Peter was asked that same question, and gave an answer to it. Acts 2:36-39, “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.”

If you have been convicted of your sins, and deeply feel the need to repent (which means to turn around and go the other way), and be baptized, then what do you need to do? You should find someone who preaches the Truth of God, not a religion mixed with paganism and watered-down facts. Then you will begin to walk in “newness of life” having God the Father and Jesus the Christ as your only leaders.

(See our article on the http://7times.org Web site entitled, “In Jesus’ Name” for more understanding about this.)

God equates your receiving His call with the sowing of seeds. He describes this in the book of Luke. Luke 8:5-8: “A sower went out to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell by the way side; and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it. And some fell upon a rock; and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it lacked moisture. And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprang up with it, and choked it. And other fell on good ground, and sprang up, and bare fruit a hundredfold. And when he had said these things, he cried, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.”

His disciples needed an explanation because they didn’t understand this Parable. (A parable is used to hide the meaning of some teachings — Matthew 13:10-15.)

Jesus then explained to them in plain words, which has been written for our understanding, what He was talking about. Matthew 13:18-23: “Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower. When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side. But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it; Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended. He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful. But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.”

Satan is always ready to create confusion in the minds of people, especially those whom God is calling into His marvelous Truth. If the truth a person hears is not understood, (understanding can only come through God’s Holy Spirit) then Satan catches away the seed, which has been sown in that person’s mind (verse 19 above).

Obstacle #1

If the truth a person hears is received into a ‘stony’ mind, a ‘hard’ mind, that person may truly receive that truth with joy. Yet, he has never put down any religious roots in his own mind; and when tribulation and persecution come because of God’s Word (and they will come), then that person becomes one who dislikes or even hates God’s Word.

Obstacle #2

If a person who hears this truth, is one who really loves the ‘cares of this world,’ and the ‘deceitfulness of riches,’ always putting things above God, then that person will become unfruitful. They won’t grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and there will be no fruit produced in their lives that shows God’s Glory.

If a person who hears this truth receives it into ‘good ground,’ that person will understand the spiritual aspects of God’s Word, and will produce fruit according to how God is dealing with them and according to the gifts of the Spirit, which they have been given. These latter will be the ones God chooses after that calling. Those are the ones who will begin to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ!

How, then, can you know if you are being called? You will know because you will begin to see and understand the Scriptures in ways you have never seen before! You will begin to understand that with God, all things are possible (Matthew 19:26; Mark 10:27). You will desire to be with those who have been called and chosen by God to be His children. You will begin to understand that God is creating a family, which will be born at the return of Christ to this world when He resurrects all who have died in Him. You will begin to understand that none of God’s laws have been “done away with.” As He said, “For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in now wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled,” Matthew 5:18. Not only will you understand these things, you will accept them and make them a part of your life!

If you are called, you will begin to understand that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God. You will begin to understand that you must repent of breaking God’s Laws which are founded upon the Ten Commandments, and that you must be baptized into the Name of God and His Christ through the power of His Holy Spirit. Then you will receive God’s Holy Spirit into your mind, which will lead you into all truth.

You will then begin to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and begin to produce spiritual fruit in your lives where you will be an example of true Christianity and you will show God’s Glory in you as an example of God’s wonderful coming Kingdom to this earth.

You will then know, and know that you know, (you will have Godly Faith — given through God’s Holy Spirit) that God will do as He has promised, and that He has the power to do all that He has promised (Hebrews 11:1-6).

Please let God work in you to do His Will, and may God bless your calling.

— by Ken Browder

828 Greenhills Dr. SE

Cleveland, TN 37323

7times.org

Hmmm…

People are funny, they want the front of the bus, the middle of the road, and the back of the church.

Church News…

Foremans Renew Vows

Danny and Tammy Foreman renewed their marriage vows July 3, 2004 at the Church of God Seventh Day in Tulsa, OK. Pastor Jerry Morgan performed the ceremony. All five children played a part in the event.

Pictures by Doyle Carter

Danny and Tammy Foreman

— by Doyle Carter

Article…

How Do You Feed Babes?

The Apostle Paul tells us that those that use the milk of the Word are babes (Hebrews 5:13). They have the “earnest of the Spirit” (II Corinthians 1:21-22), which makes them one of Christ’s (II Corinthians 5:4-5; Ephesians 1:11-14; Romans 8:9). Yet, new converts are usually lacking in knowledge, understanding, and obedience. In Galatians 6:1-2, Paul discusses how to handle a man that has erred. Certainly, a babe in Christ could be guilty of this. Those that are spiritual are to be very careful (gentle) in order to be able to restore him. Paul covers several aspects of how to take care of a babe, but all of them are admonitions to the spiritual person. In the example of Galatians 6:3-10, Paul does not tell us what to say to him. Obviously, Paul is more concerned that the spiritual person be very watchful of his own attitude. If we were all as concerned about our attitudes towards babes, sinners, etc. as Paul wants us to be, then the question “How Do You Feed Babes?” becomes easy to answer. Let us first pull the beam out of our eye so that we can see clearly how to pull the mote out of someone else’s eye.

If we fail to properly do this, we will also fail to feed, encourage, restore, pull out of the fire, etc. those that need help. And if we fail, let us not reason that they were at fault. Paul’s words are to warn the spiritual person. We are talking about someone’s spiritual life. If we cannot, do not, or will not, exercise great care in helping those that are weak to be able to come back, or grow spiritually, then how can God give us that job in the Kingdom? When we have not yielded ourselves to God enough for Him to be able to use us, we actually demonstrate our selfishness when we fail to properly feed or restore others. We should be very careful with other human beings lives. Why? Because God is not willing that any should perish. There is not a higher calling than being able to be your brother’s keeper. Are we?

I have ten points that can hopefully be used to help feed babes:

1) Give them enough each sermon, message, or article to show how these basic principles fit into their lives. WHY — because they need it. Just giving them knowledge for knowledge’s sake is not very helpful.

2) Teach a love for each other. You will need to get to know the people to do this effectively.

3) Teach them the difference between the Holy and the Profane (Ezekiel 22:26; 44:23). Teach them that God views Holy things differently than the Profane. If we are to be holy, we must conduct ourselves in a holy manner and give proper regard to holy things and holy time. Because they are babes, they won’t know this.

4) Cover difficult Scriptures often. This is usually the area they will have the most questions.

5) Brush up on the difficult Scripture answers yourself, so you can explain them clearly with Biblical answers.

6) Show them that they have brethren in other Sabbath-keeping congregations.

7) Be there for them. If you are not willing to do this, please leave them alone. You will only hurt them in the end.

8) Teach them to work out problems between each other according to Matthew 18.

9) Teach them to love the truth. Show them that good doctrine is essential for obedience to the truth. Godly doctrine is defined as “how” they apply the truth. Psalms 119:142 says, “…Thy law is the truth.” The Fourth Commandment says, “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy,” Exodus 20:8. This is sound Biblical truth. Yet, how we actually keep the Sabbath holy is our doctrine. If our doctrine is not sound, we may be disobeying the truth.

10) Teach them the importance of getting the “basics” right so God will allow them to go onto perfection (Hebrews 6:1-6).

— by Wayne Holmes

holmesfamily@cei.net

Church News…

Redwood City, CA

The Believers in Christ Church of God is small in number but big on projects. The independent congregation — formally with the Church of God International in the ’90s — consists of less than 25 adults. Yet, they are hosting a Northern California Feast site at Clear Lake, just north of the famous Napa Valley, a 2.5 hour drive from San Francisco and 1 hour from Sacramento. This is a one-time event. For information, contact Jeff and Cathy Henderson at 650-726-3005.

— by Jeff Henderson

www.biccog.org

Church News…

Living Church of God

LCG’s Charles Bryce reports, “The first half of 2004 is now history. It is encouraging to look back on this year so far and consider the blessings God has poured out on His Work. For instance, we are now right on target with our projected budget for the year. We are running an 8.3% increase in income over this same time last year. Church attendance, baptisms, visit requests, and new co-workers are all increasing substantially. We thank God for His guidance and help in all of these areas.”

From Trinidad, Fitzroy Greeman writes, “The total telecast responses for June 12th were 163. Last week’s telecast was ‘When Will Christ Return?’ by Mr. John Ogwyn. The booklet being offered is ‘Fourteen Signs Announcing Christ’s Return!’ The total responses so far are 144. For the month of June, our telecast program has been pre-empted by football. Our program is now being aired at 6:30 p.m. As a result, we are reaching a whole new set of listeners. Last Sabbath there was an attendance of 65.”

In the latest co-worker letter, R.C. Meredith writes, “Right now, we are in a slight ‘lull’ before the storm. This will give each of us an opportunity to examine ourselves carefully, to cry out to God for full understanding, and then to take the needed actions so that we may truly serve our God, genuinely let Jesus Christ live His life within us through the Holy Spirit (Galatians 2:20), and so prepare ourselves to weather these coming storms of end-time events with God’s mercy on our side. The present pope has only a short time to live.

“The final prophesied False Prophet of II Thessalonians 2 and Revelation 17 has not yet appeared. The powerful dictator soon to head the ‘Beast’ Power described in Revelation 17 is also now alive somewhere on earth today. The final ten nations (Revelation 17:12-13) have not yet fully come together. Again, they will not include Britain! But the preparatory events and situations laying the groundwork for all these prophecies are right now taking shape before our eyes!

“As one who has served in Christ’s Work full-time for over fifty-two years and has carefully ‘watched’ these situations, I can earnestly warn you that we are definitely living in the prophesied ‘last days’ of human history. Time is running out! It behooves each of us whom God is calling to act on the Truth, which He is now revealing.

“The inspired Apostle Paul wrote: ‘The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light,’ Romans 13:12. May God help you to grasp what I am saying! And may He inspire all of us to genuinely surrender our lives to Him, to let the true Jesus Christ of the Bible rule our lives, and to do everything in our power to get behind and assist in the end-time Work of the living Christ!

“We all need to pour our ‘hearts’ and our prayers in generously giving of our time, our talents, and our resources that our fellow men and women may be truly warned of the coming Holocaust, and be taught the way of escape before it is too late. As Jesus Himself said, ‘I must work the works of Him that sent Me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work,’ John 9:4.”

— submitted by Robert Thiel

Cogwriter@aol.com

Hmmm…

There is no Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, but there is a Chief Justice of the United States.

Establishing the Children…

Parent/Child Connection

In times past, mothers thought that they needed to be “stay-at-home” moms while the children were infants and toddlers, but as the children grew older and started to school, some went back to work. They reasoned that since their children were in school most of the day, it would not matter to them, and they would not be missed. After all, the children could stay by themselves for an hour or so until the parents got home. Or, if they were too young for that, they would ask a friend or neighbor to “baby-sit” their little ones until they got home from work.

Now there is a trend for the mothers to work early on, and then stay home when the kids become pre-teens or teenagers. Recent research supports the idea that as our children approach adulthood, they need us as much as they ever have, if not more. Most parents have heard how important it is to be there during a child’s first few years, since this is when our children develop emotionally and physically; and these are the years when children learn faster and are more trainable. This is the time when our children are learning how to behave.

Sadly, as mentioned above, the trend has come for moms to go back to work soon after the birth of a child, and then plan to be there for them later on when they reach about the age of ten years. Many parents have neglected their children at this early age instead of being there with them during these crucial years. In addition, as often as not, they continue working when their children do grow into pre-teens and teenagers. Once the family becomes used to having a second income, it’s hard to give up that extra income which helps buy all the “perceived necessities” that come along with parenthood.

Have we shortchanged our children in order to have and give them more “stuff” during their growing years? A telephone national survey done for the YMCA in 2001 found that the average teen was left unsupervised after school at least two days a week, and for 32 percent it was three or more days. There is a widespread notion that the older a child gets, the less the kids want their parents involved in their lives. In fact, studies show that parents retain an enormous influence over their almost-grown kids. Teens who felt that their parents liked, respected, and took them seriously were less likely than their peers to smoke and drink according to a study of more than 4,200 middle school students published in the journal Health Education & Behavior in 2001.

Being “connected” with their parents and families (which not only meant feeling loved, but having a parent present before or after school, at bedtime or dinner) helped protect teens against almost every health-risk behavior studied according to the National Longitudinal Study on Adolescent Health. Finally, it has become clear that adolescence is a time of surprising physical and psychological development. “Psychologically, all kinds of development occurs” states Laurence Steinberg, Ph.D., a professor of psychology at Temple University in Philadelphia, and author of The Ten Basic Principles of Good Parenting.

Dr. Steinberg continues, “This includes the growth of independence, self-reliance, and the ability to control anger and anxiety, and to behave morally. Teens also develop the ability to have relationships characterized by intimacy, trust, and loyalty.” Teens do a lot of challenging and testing, but still look to parents to set rules and limits, and for their opinions.

At the beginning of this article, it was stated that parents used to stay at home with their young children with the idea that the mother would go back to work after the children were older. Then the trend reversed itself and mothers began to go back to work after their children were born, with the idea they would quit their job when their children grew into their pre-teen and teen years. However, most families needed the extra income and most moms stayed at their jobs, leaving their children to “raise” themselves during this important time in their lives.

Ideally, it would be better if families could afford for one parent to be home during the early years of their children’s lives, and also be there for the children as they enter their “teen” years. It would take sacrifices, but our children would benefit greatly if they had one of their parents there for them in their early formative years, as well as being there as they learn how to handle themselves as they grow toward adulthood. Not every family can accomplish this, but for those who can, the rewards are tremendous. Our nation is full of “latchkey kids,” and perhaps this is the main reason we have so many troubled children. Hopefully, more parents will realize how important it is to be there for their children during all stages of development. Perhaps we can yet. “And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse,” Malachi 4:6.

(Some of the information contained in this article was taken from an article titled “The New-Stay-At-Home Mom” in the Ladies Home Journal, March 2004 Issue.)

— by Shelby Faith

sfaith@mindspring.com

The Resource Corner

Talk Sheets: (By David Lynn) Zondervan Publishing House (Sold at Christian Bookstores). Review: Contains fifty instant discussions for teens on a variety of topics that young people want to talk about. These are reproducible, and have simple step-by-step instructions on how to use them. They can be utilized for large or small groups, Sabbath school or Bible study.

Yea Sabbath School Books: Published by Christian Education Ministries (CEM), PO Box 560, Whitehouse, TX 75791. Phone: 903-509-2999. adm@cemnetwork.com.

Review: Sabbath school lessons available for youth of all ages, including intermediates (ages 12-15), and seniors (ages 16-19). You can order a book for every child in your home or Sabbath school class. Teacher’s guides are also available. Nominal cost.

Sabbath Keeping Youth (Sky): Catalog of resources and lessons available from Church of God, International, PO Box 2525, Tyler, TX 75710. Phone: 903-825-2525. You may view SKY at www.cgi.org.

Review: At this site, youth may chat, ask questions, contribute Bible stories, etc. Includes teen articles and Newsletter, which can be downloaded. Lesson plans available at the Parent/Teacher Connection Resources at this site also. No cost.

Youth Web Sites: www.ucgyouth.org, www.youthmagazine.org.

Articles, lessons, question and answer features, youth magazine for teens, can be downloaded.

www.sabbathschoolint.org Contains lessons, activities for all age groups. Can be ordered from this site, free of charge.

Bible Activity Sheets: (By Nellie de Vries). Published by Baker Book House, P.O. Box 6287, Grand Rapids, MI 49516-6287.

Review: Reproducible copyright free Bible activity sheets, contains about 100 activities. (Bookstores).

The Complete Book Of Bible Trivia: (By J. Stephen Lang), Published by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.

Review: Contains about 4,500 questions and answers based on the Bible, for all age groups. (Sold at Christian Bookstores).

Bible Crosswords: (By Linda Krein) Shining Star Publication, Div. of Good Apple, Inc., Box 299, Carthage, IL 62321-0299.

Review: Reproducible for ages 8 to adult, contains about 40 pages of crossword puzzles and answers. (Sold at Christian Bookstores).

Bible Lessons & Activities for All Age Groups: Published by Accent Publications, PO Box 15337, Denver, CO 80215.

Review: Booklets have 12-13 week lessons, activities and Bible verses. Nominal cost.

New Testament Bible Activities:

Published by Rainbow Published, Div. Of Success with Youth, PO Box 261129, San Diego, CA 92126

Review: Activities for ages 8-14. Can be reproduced for class use. (Sold at Christian bookstores).

Bible Crafts On A Shoestring Budget:

Published by Rainbow Books (sold at Christian bookstores).

Review: Easy-to-do crafts using inexpensive materials, Reproducible for various age groups.

Children’s Prayers…

Dear God, Thank you for the baby brother, but what I asked for, was a puppy. I never asked for anything before. You can look it up. Joyce

Dear God. Maybe Cain and Abel would not kill each other so much if they each had their own room. It works out OK with my brother and me. Larry

BIBLE PROMISES

The Bible makes many promises,

but there are conditions linked to them.

See if you can fill in the missing conditions in the blanks.

The answers can be found in the Scriptures listed.

1.      “Blessed are the _________, for they shall inherit the earth,” Matthew 5:5.



2.      “The Son of Man . . . shall reward every man according to his

_______________,” Matthew 16:27.

3.      God shall make him ruler over all his goods if he is a “_______________ and________________ servant,” Matthew 24:45.

4.      “Henceforth, there is laid up a crown of righteousness unto them that love His____________,” II Timothy 4:8.

5.      “Blessed is the man that endureth __________: for when he is __________,

he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that

___________Him,” James 1:12.

6.      “To him that _______________ will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in

the midst of the paradise of God,” Revelation 2:7.

7.      “______, and it shall be given you, ________, and ye shall find; __________,

and it shall be opened unto you,” Matthew 7:7.

8.      “I can do all things through Christ which ______________ me,” Philippians 4:13.

9.      “Whosoever therefore shall ______________ himself as this _________ __________, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven,” Matthew 18:4.

10. “If we ________ one ___________, God dwelleth in us, and His love is perfected

in us,” I John 4:12.

God’s promises are many and He is faithful.

Put your trust in Him always,

and claim His promises.

Steven & Suzanne Kieler 2004