United Church of God

This is the Way: Did You Finish It?

Tue, 9 Feb 2010 12:22:38 -0500

People seem to begin new projects in a never-ending cycle. We make resolutions about things we wish to accomplish, like lose weight, change a habit or finish a project. However, all too often we do not move past that resolution. Still, we are measured by the answer to the question, “Did you finish it?” We might begin by asking ourselves how many projects did we start in the last year—and how many did we actually finish? To our embarrassment we might find the list of plans much greater than the list of completed projects.

The Bible instructs us to count the cost before we begin a project lest we cannot finish it and are embarrassed with that (Luke 14:28-30). The things we plan to do may not always be physical. A young man recently said that he thought it was about time he turned his mind toward eternal life and God—and then did nothing after saying those words. Make a list of what you intend to do and develop a method of checking up on yourself. You will be amazed how much you actually get done by focusing on what you said you would do. Finish the job!

Bible FAQ: Why does a loving God tell us to fear Him?

Tue, 9 Feb 2010 11:38:21 -0500

How does the command to fear God, repeated throughout the Bible, mesh with His description as a loving God?

Bible FAQ: Why should I attend church?

Tue, 9 Feb 2010 11:36:47 -0500

Does a Christian have to attend a church, or is it possible to "go it alone" as an independent Christian?

GN Video Commentary: Missiles, Anti-missiles and Threats

Mon, 8 Feb 2010 15:26:57 -0500

Will humanity ever find the way to sustained peace? There is a way, but humans alone can't achieve it.

Beyond Today Commentary: Is Valentine's Christian?

Mon, 8 Feb 2010 11:20:27 -0500

Should true Christians observe Valentine's Day?

Beyond Today Program: What Is Real Security?

Mon, 8 Feb 2010 11:19:34 -0500

As financial and economic volatility troubles the world, where can you find true security? What or who can be your anchor?

Good News Radio Program: Valentine, Cupid and Jesus Christ

Mon, 8 Feb 2010 11:19:01 -0500

Is it possible that the innocent celebration of Valentine's Day supports unbiblical teachings?

GN Video Commentary: Abortion, Murder, and the Super Bowl

Fri, 5 Feb 2010 14:46:43 -0500

If we look back at the Book invoked by the Founding Fathers of the nation, we can find the solutions to these tough questions about murder, abortion and the beginnings of life. Worth considering over this Super Bowl weekend.

3 Bible Tips: Avoiding Strife

Fri, 5 Feb 2010 12:12:37 -0500

Fighting, arguing, quarreling, heatedly disagreeing—whatever you call it, strife is destructive to relationships. What tips does the Bible have for avoiding strife? Here are three:

1. Love is an antidote to strife.

"Hatred stirs up quarrels, but love covers all offenses" (Proverbs 10:12, New Living Translation throughout).

2. Humbly taking advice can help us avoid strife.

"Pride leads to arguments; those who take advice are wise" (Proverbs 13:10).

3. Being slow to anger is another antidote to strife.

"A hothead starts fights; a cool-tempered person tries to stop them" (Proverbs 15:18).

United News

Fri, 5 Feb 2010 12:11:47 -0500

The February 2010 issue of the United News is now available.

Sermon: Christian Giving

Fri, 5 Feb 2010 12:10:41 -0500

Listen to the audio/video sermon titled "Christian Giving" by David Johnson.

Sermon Transcript: A Positive Provocation

Fri, 5 Feb 2010 12:10:18 -0500

How do we as Christians bring about a positive provocation? And what should be the result of a positive provocation?

Commentary: Lessons From the Massachusetts Senate Election

Fri, 5 Feb 2010 12:09:08 -0500

Mankind has to learn the bitter lesson that no human being can solve the many problems that plague us—not only in the United States but in countries all around the world. Who then can save us from the many and serious problems that face mankind?

This is the Way: Enthusiasm

Thu, 4 Feb 2010 11:19:02 -0500

Charles Schwab once said “A man can succeed at almost anything for which he has unlimited enthusiasm.” Paul noted that the Romans had zeal but were without knowledge (Romans 10:2). We applaud and follow people who are enthusiastic about what they do. It is infectious. We need to feel enthusiastic about the gifts God offers to us and remove the mind-set that we are not deserving of any gift from God. Although that is certainly true, He already knows that and He is the One who offers the gift regardless. We can read about that in Romans 5:6-10.

Zeal is good, but it needs to be properly directed. That requires self-control and the willingness to learn and study. No matter what our life’s endeavors may be, show excitement, but add knowledge to direct your enthusiasm.

GN Video Commentary: Would Jesus Use a "Jesus Rifle"?

Wed, 3 Feb 2010 18:50:29 -0500

You've heard the catch-all Christian question: What would Jesus do? So answer this: Would Jesus use a "Jesus rifle"?

Bible FAQ: What is a disciple?

Tue, 2 Feb 2010 12:34:31 -0500

The four Gospels and the book of Acts use the word "disciple" often. What is a Christian disciple, and how can we become one?

Bible FAQ: What is faith?

Tue, 2 Feb 2010 12:34:10 -0500

The concept of faith appears many times throughout the Bible. What is faith, and what does it mean for us?

This is the Way: Square Pegs

Tue, 2 Feb 2010 10:47:22 -0500

Years ago, ships and wooden objects were held together by pegs. The method is still in use in some places today. The saying about “square pegs in round holes” came from the times when one needed to be careful in his choice of pegs. We use this saying today to describe a person who does not seem to fit into the place he occupies. That could be in business, in a crowd or in some walk of life. Pegs can be changed and corrected so they can be used. Humans can also change, and the Bible tells us that without change, we will not be in God’s Kingdom (Romans 6:1-2).

If we are not happy in what we are doing, it may be time for a change. We may be a square peg, and so we either need to change the hole or alter the peg. For eternal life, it is the peg that must be changed.

GN Video Commentary: Change

Mon, 1 Feb 2010 14:26:05 -0500

Are you looking for change? You'll never find it in political promises or New Year's resolutions, but you can find real, lasting, positive change if you're willing to look to the right source.

Beyond Today Commentary: No Place Like Home

Mon, 1 Feb 2010 13:21:13 -0500

The Bible says that we are sojourners and pilgrims or nomads in this world. Your real lasting home awaits you in the future Kingdom of God.

Beyond Today Program: These Graves Will Open

Mon, 1 Feb 2010 13:19:44 -0500

Contrary to popular belief, the Bible says nothing about an immortal soul. What truly happens at death? You need to know!

Good News Radio: Is There a Devil?

Mon, 1 Feb 2010 13:18:59 -0500

Is the whole world deceived? How can we resist Satan?

GN Video Commentary: The iPad: Obsolete?

Fri, 29 Jan 2010 10:55:01 -0500

The iPad will make a nice toy, and it will undoubtedly be capable of some impressive tricks. But if you want something that's lasting, relevant and filled with timeless value, you won't find it in any cutting-edge technology. You'll find it in the pages of your Bible.

Does Haiti Have a Future?

Fri, 29 Jan 2010 10:54:44 -0500

A massive amount of aid is pouring into the Caribbean nation of Haiti in the aftermath of a 7.0 earthquake. History has neglected this poor nation. Beyond this present tragedy, what is the best way forward?

Searching for a New Global Order

Fri, 29 Jan 2010 10:54:23 -0500

Consider carefully the shifting geopolitical chessboard as many perils menace global stability. National leaders seek enduring solutions through established world institutions even as they struggle to cope with the catastrophic crises of the 21st century. What does the Bible tell us about how it all began and how a divinely appointed new world order will finally solve our age-old problems?

He Set Ephraim Before Manasseh

Fri, 29 Jan 2010 10:53:50 -0500

As memories of the British Empire fade into the distant past, many think the United States is Ephraim and Britain Manasseh. There are sound historical reasons for this not being the case.

"I Will Build My Church"!

Fri, 29 Jan 2010 10:53:25 -0500

What comes to mind when you hear the word church? Do you think of a magnificent cathedral or a smaller church building with a spire? God's Church is much different from the conventional religious meaning of the word church, and that difference can affect your future.

3 Bible Tips: Hope is a Hopeless World

Thu, 28 Jan 2010 17:11:43 -0500

1. God strengthens and encourages those who have hope in Him.

"Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, all you who hope in the Lord" (Psalm 31:24).

2. God's hope—developed through trials—will not disappoint!

"And not only that, but we also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us" (Romans 5:3-5, New Revised Standard Version).

3. In a world without hope, we can have ultimate hope in the resurrection.

"But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus" (1 Thessalonians 4:13-14).

Sermon: Are You Sincere?

Thu, 28 Jan 2010 16:36:41 -0500

Listen to the audio/video sermon titled "Are You Sincere?" by David Evans.

Sermon Transcript: Are You Sincere?

Thu, 28 Jan 2010 16:36:10 -0500

A lack of sincerity has existed since the garden of Eden, and it certainly exists today. How sincere are we in our communication? In our relationships with each other? With our neighbors? With our coworkers? And even with our Father, the Almighty Eternal Creator God?

Commentary: The Meaning Behind the Empty Flight

Thu, 28 Jan 2010 16:34:43 -0500

Ever since the "underpants bomber" attempted to blow up the Amsterdam-Detroit flight over the city of Detroit, I had expected people to avoid the flight, the one I almost always catch when returning from visits to Ghana.

This is the Way: Little Drops of Water

Thu, 28 Jan 2010 11:59:13 -0500

There is an old saying, “Little drops of water and little grains of sand make the great big ocean and the Promised Land.” Some of these old saying are filled with wisdom. People today seem to be bent on instant success. We have instant meals, quick methods of learning and fast modes of travel. We have grown impatient. Life has not changed in its routine. Little by little, the sea or the land develops. It may take 10 or 20 years of effort before we can rest, but without that slow and patient effort, we will fail.

A generation ago, people dreamed of finally owning a home and being able to retire on a small income. Today, those dreams seem reversed. People want everything now and do not worry about tomorrow. We have heard the saying “too soon old and too late smart.” That holds true today. It takes a lifetime to accumulate wisdom and experience. There is no other way. Learn to treasure the drops of water and grains of sand for what they can and will become.

GN Video Commentary: Where's My Avatar?

Wed, 27 Jan 2010 16:07:55 -0500

What if you could just leave behind all your physical ailments and disabilities and inhabit a new body that allowed you to do things you never dreamed possible?

Bible FAQ: Where can I find biblical sermons?

Tue, 26 Jan 2010 11:05:42 -0500

Is there a place I can go to find sermons based on what the Bible teaches?

Bible FAQ: How can I choose good music?

Tue, 26 Jan 2010 11:05:19 -0500

How can a Christian make good choices in the songs he or she listens to?

This is the Way: The Power of Planning

Tue, 26 Jan 2010 09:16:22 -0500

Almost all of the failures we see about us are a result of poor planning. Creating an intelligent plan and then using the plan will help to ensure a greater success rate. Even our Creator has a plan. Every prophecy He stated was a plan He carried out. Consider the predictions about the sacrifice of our Savior. There are over 30 prophecies that were fulfilled within a 24-hour period on the day Jesus died. The plan was perfect, and we are saved because of it.

We can have good intentions in life and want the right things, but if we do not stand back and plan in an intelligent manner, then we will not make any progress. An example of a good master plan is found in Ecclesiastes 12:13. Fearing God and keeping His commandments is what is needed in all of our lives.

GN Video Commentary: The Peacemaker

Mon, 25 Jan 2010 13:53:43 -0500

One of the most important principles of conflict resolution is to be assertive without being aggressive. This means that you have to able to voice your opinions and feelings without attacking the other person.

Beyond Today Commentary: Inside the Gold Casket

Mon, 25 Jan 2010 13:52:59 -0500

If you try to hide behind a coffin of gold in order to impress others--no matter how beautiful the outside is, it doesn't change what's inside.

Beyond Today Program: Resolving Conflict in Your Life

Mon, 25 Jan 2010 13:52:26 -0500

Peace can't be found in your life until you recognize the problem lies within you. Learn how to be a peacemaker.

Good News Radio Program: Freedom Is Baffling

Mon, 25 Jan 2010 13:51:09 -0500

What are the values and concepts that form the foundation of real freedom?

3 Bible Tips: Christian Transformation

Thu, 21 Jan 2010 13:59:41 -0500

1. The Christian transformation, also called conversion, means renewing our minds to reflect the will of God.

"And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God" (Romans 12:2).

2. This transformation process requires both putting off the bad and putting on the good.

"That you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in righteousness and true holiness" (Ephesians 4:22-24).

3. In the ultimate transformation, Christ's followers will be like Him!

"Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure" (1 John 3:2-3).

Sermon: The Elect of God

Thu, 21 Jan 2010 13:58:42 -0500

Listen to the audio/video sermon titled "The Elect of God" by Ken Martin.

Sermon Transcript: A Matter of Character

Thu, 21 Jan 2010 13:57:51 -0500

The ultimate purpose of our existence in this human life is the development of godly character. Do we still have that focus in our lives?

Commentary: You, Me and Haiti... On the Tightrope of Techno-Society

Thu, 21 Jan 2010 13:57:11 -0500

What would we do if we faced such a crisis? With our dependence on all the modern conveniences, I think we would be even less prepared to cope.

This is the Way: Failure Guaranteed

Thu, 21 Jan 2010 11:38:48 -0500

None of us plan to fail--we strive and plan to win. Winning often places huge demands on us, and it is tempting to look for the path of least resistance. The problem is that those paths usually lead downhill when our objective may be the mountaintop. There is one sure way that guarantees failure, and that is to quit. Rest if you must (all mountain climbers do) and pace yourself to conserve energy--but never, never quit.

Our God knows we are frail and that we are battling ourselves. He also knows how important it is for us to face ourselves and to work toward becoming stronger. Babies are frail and weak, too, but we all know that living makes them stronger. Sometimes we may need to bolster our spirits and gather our strength for the next phase of life (Hebrews 12:12-13). Just as it is wrong for parents to do everything for a child, God will not do everything for us. We need to learn to face life and to live it. We need to learn the lesson of never quitting.

Bible FAQ: Did the thief on the cross go to heaven?

Tue, 19 Jan 2010 13:33:44 -0500

Did Jesus promise that the thief who was crucified with Him would go to "Paradise" that same day?

Bible FAQ: What does it mean to "judge," and why does the Bible say to "judge not"?

Tue, 19 Jan 2010 13:33:26 -0500

Christ said, "Judge not, that you be not judged" (Matthew 7:1). What did He mean? Is all judging wrong?

This is the Way: Habits -- Easy to Form, Hard to Break

Tue, 19 Jan 2010 13:32:35 -0500

There are many people who are striving to change their habits. Some try to lose weight, some try to quit smoking and some are working on bad habits of speech, posture or clothing. Long-standing habits take courage, determination and a lot of self-discipline to break. In life, we will either allow our habits to dictate the result, or develop the habits that guarantee the result we want. All habits do not need to be bad ones.

Paul wrote that he had learned to make his body his slave and he kept himself under control (1 Corinthians 9:27). Expending the effort needed to discipline ourselves is a great character builder. We become stronger and much more likely to go where we wish to be. Change habits that hinder your progress. Rather than changing our direction to conform to our habits, we need to change our habits to conform to our goals. Conversion requires change (Romans 6:19).

Beyond Today Commentary: John Hancock

Tue, 19 Jan 2010 13:32:09 -0500

Has your signature let God know where you stand?

Beyond Today Program: When God Doesn't Make Sense

Tue, 19 Jan 2010 13:31:44 -0500

Are troubles in your life unbearable? Do you believe God has left you in the dark? Discover the comforting answer.

Good News Radio: Old Europe, New Europe

Tue, 19 Jan 2010 13:31:07 -0500

What is the future of the United States relationships with its European allies?

Weekly Topic: Natural Disasters: A Biblical Perspective

Fri, 15 Jan 2010 11:25:07 -0500

Following are points we should keep in mind concerning the biblical perspective on tragedies, regardless of their scale or circumstances:

1. God has said in Bible prophecy that natural disasters would grow in frequency and intensity as the end of the age approaches—to shake people out of their complacency and lead them to seek Him (Matthew 24:7; Luke 21:25-26; Revelation 6:12; 11:13; 16:18).

2. In His design for the world, God allows many events to run their course according to "time and chance" (Ecclesiastes 9:11), so that many tragedies are, for those affected, accidental and unforeseeable.

3. Those who die in accidents or natural disasters are not necessarily greater sinners than those who survive (Luke 13:1-5).

4. Personal tragedies or calamities are not necessarily the result of one's sins (John 9:2-3).

5. Natural disasters or accidents should humble us, helping us to see our dependence on God to sustain and deliver us (Revelation 16:8-11).

6. Natural disasters have sometimes been the direct judgment of God on a rebellious humanity (Genesis 6:6-7, 11-13, 17; 18:20; 19:24-25).

7. Some natural disasters are made worse by man's poor judgments (Proverbs 14:12) and age-long rejection of God and His laws, resulting in worsening environmental and climatic conditions.

8. God is a truly loving God who is working out a great plan for all humanity (John 3:16; 2 Peter 3:9; 1 Timothy 2:4; 1 Corinthians 15:22-24).

9. Converted Christians who die in natural disasters will be resurrected to immortality in the first resurrection at the return of Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:51-52; 1 Thessalonians 4:16; Revelation 20:4-6).

10. Non-Christians who die in natural disasters, those who never had a genuine understanding of God or real opportunity for eternal salvation, will be raised in the second or general resurrection to live again in the flesh with their first real opportunity to learn God's way, repent and be saved (John 5:28-29; Matthew 12:41-42; Revelation 20:5).

11. The multitudes of humanity who are raised in the second or general resurrection will experience joyful and abundant life under the rule of the Kingdom of God (Ezekiel 37:12-14).

12. The sufferings experienced now in "this present evil age" (Galatians 1:4)—this era of man's self-rule under the influence of Satan the devil—are writing a lesson of experience about what it means to live in a world cut off from God and His ways.

13. We don't know all the reasons God brings or permits specific calamities or why particular people are made to suffer by them, but we should trust that in God's omniscience and ultimate wisdom He knows how to work out what is best for everyone in the end (Romans 8:28; 1 Timothy 2:4).

14. Jesus Christ will eventually return to usher in the rule of the Kingdom of God (Revelation 11:15; Daniel 7:14), under which natural disasters will no longer plague mankind.

15. When all humanity is at last glorified, there will be no more pain, suffering or sorrow (Revelation 21:4).

16. All the sufferings of this brief present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory we will ultimately experience for all eternity to come (Romans 8:18; 2 Corinthians 4:17-18).

Sermon: The Unbroken Chain

Fri, 15 Jan 2010 11:23:55 -0500

Listen to the audio/video sermon titled "The Unbroken Chain" by David Register.

Sermon Transcript: A Precious Calling

Fri, 15 Jan 2010 11:22:54 -0500

We have been given a very special invitation by God to be part of His Kingdom. What will you do with your invitation? Will you respond?

GN Video Commentary: Pat Robertson on Haiti: A Bible Fact Check

Thu, 14 Jan 2010 21:36:12 -0500

God has a plan to bring order and peace to this world. And all those who have died—in tragedies or not—will live again and experience God's ways in action. You'll find this plan in the pages of your Bible.

Commentary: The Haitian Earthquake: Where Was God?

Thu, 14 Jan 2010 12:23:20 -0500

As we see heart-wrenching photos and video of the Haitian earthquake disaster, we are once again left to ponder the age-old questions: "Where was God? How could a loving God let this happen?" These questions seem to have no answer—but do they?

This is the Way: Something for Nothing?

Thu, 14 Jan 2010 10:11:17 -0500

Some people believe that they can enjoy full success in life while enjoying the luxuries of life. They think they can have glory without sacrifice. Realists know that is not so. Every part of our growth toward wisdom and achievement requires effort and sacrifice. Time, effort, concentration and focus make up the path that leads to the top. Paul knew this principle when he explained that Christians are to offer their bodies as a living sacrifice (Romans 12:1). He saw that sacrifice as a spiritual act of worship in pursuit of the most important goal of all: eternal life.

Anything we may want to achieve in life is worth sacrificing for. If it does not seem so, then it is not a worthy goal. We do have to enjoy life as we move toward things we seek and want, but we must not allow that enjoyment to interfere with the course we are on. The new car, holiday trips or luxuries we want may be nice and alluring, but they can be the paving stones of the path that leads to destruction. Learn the value of sacrifice and the rewards it brings. That is how anyone gets to the top. You can’t have something for nothing.

GN Video Commentary: Gay Rights and Proposition 8

Thu, 14 Jan 2010 09:53:36 -0500

A nation divided on morality isn't good news. It's another example of our losing sight of a standard by which to determine what's right and what's wrong.

Bible FAQ: What does the Bible say about reincarnation?

Tue, 12 Jan 2010 15:09:22 -0500

Do the souls of people come back again and again in different bodies? Does the Bible contain any teachings about reincarnation or the transmigration of souls?

Bible FAQ: What is the "soul"?

Tue, 12 Jan 2010 15:08:58 -0500

Is the soul talked about in the Bible an immortal part of human beings...or is it something else entirely?

This is the Way: Live With It

Tue, 12 Jan 2010 10:51:32 -0500

The most outstanding athletes and successful people in life have such a strong and pure focus on the area of their expertise that is seems to swallow them up. It is what they think about, plan for, talk about, read about and no doubt dream about. Obsessions are extremes, but it is still true that when we eat, drink and sleep with our goals, they become reality. We have to live the dream in order for it to happen. The human mind is quite amazing in this way: the more we live our dreams, the more our mind seeks paths that lead in that direction.

This principle is true for physical dreams as well as spiritual. The spiritual last for eternity, and that makes them much more important. Psalm 55:17 shows that prayers are in order morning, noon and night—all day. Keeping God in our thoughts is what makes us one with Him. We are to live our religion and our beliefs, which will make them ours. Living God’s way of life makes you a good neighbor, mate and friend. It makes life an adventure full of rich and rewarding experiences. The trip is as exciting as the goal.

Beyond Today Commentary: Discovery

Mon, 11 Jan 2010 13:09:35 -0500

Ask God to help you press on and discover new things in His Word!

Beyond Today Program: World Hunger: What Can You Do?

Mon, 11 Jan 2010 13:09:10 -0500

Even with abundant food supplies why do the poor starve? Learn what you can do and discover the ultimate solution.

Good News Radio Program: In The Image of God

Mon, 11 Jan 2010 13:08:33 -0500

How am I made in the image of God?

Sermon: A Precious Calling

Thu, 7 Jan 2010 10:41:16 -0500

Listen to the audio/video sermon titled "A Precious Calling" by Larry Salyer.

Sermon Transcript: Educated or Equipped?

Thu, 7 Jan 2010 10:40:43 -0500

How can we lack knowledge?

Commentary: "We're Mortgaging Our Children's Future!"

Thu, 7 Jan 2010 10:39:57 -0500

Sadly, in our world today, it seems our children are destined to endure pain because of the selfishness and greed of the generation preceding theirs.

This is the Way: Remind Yourself

Thu, 7 Jan 2010 10:39:01 -0500

A lady was once upset because she had asked her husband to do a number of small chores around the house. He always said he would, but he didn’t do it. Then she heard one very good piece of advice from a friend. “Make a small list and paste it on the door of the refrigerator.” By doing this, her husband would always have a reminder, and she would no longer need to worry or to nag. Six weeks later the list had been completed. He had the will and desire, but needed a constant reminder. We are all a little like that.

There are many different ways of reminding ourselves. One good way is to post a few notes around the house in places you often visit. The mirror, fridge or computer would be good choices. Seeing it everywhere provides the constant reminder of our goal and helps to focus our attention on attaining it. Paul said we need reminders of our faith (2 Timothy 1:6). Keep the Bible in an obvious place and develop a habit of posting a scripture in a certain place in your home. Remind yourself of the hope that lies in you.

GN Video Commentary: When All Else Fails...

Wed, 6 Jan 2010 17:53:27 -0500

The Bible serves to guide us in times of trouble, illuminate our paths, and reassure us about the future.

Vertical Thought: Vantage Point - All Education Isn't Equal

Wed, 6 Jan 2010 09:09:04 -0500

People's inability to get along with others is a spiritual problem that modern education can't solve.

Vertical Thought: Education: Why Bother?

6 Jan 2010 91:08:46

Is it really worth it? Yes, indeed! Here's why.

Vertical Thought: Finding Good Professors

Wed, 6 Jan 2010 09:08:23 -0500

It's not that difficult when you know how to do it.

Vertical Thought: Seven Types of Intelligence

Wed, 6 Jan 2010 09:08:00 -0500

You may be smarter than you think. You just need to know what type of "intelligence" is being considered.

Vertical Thought: Finding a Mentor

Wed, 6 Jan 2010 09:07:46 -0500

Having some encouragement and guidance can make a big difference in your life.

Vertical Thought: Three Important Kisses

Wed, 6 Jan 2010 09:07:23 -0500

Some people don't realize that the Bible speaks of kissing. Do you know the three different types it mentions?

Vertical Thought: "Are We Right for Each Other?"

Wed, 6 Jan 2010 09:06:25 -0500

These 10 questions can help you gauge the godly potential of your relationship.

Vertical Thought: Sibling Rivalry! Causes and Cures

Wed, 6 Jan 2010 09:06:10 -0500

How do you know whether you have it or not? How can you survive it?

Vertical Thought: Answers from Genesis - Part 7

Wed, 6 Jan 2010 09:04:38 -0500

Here are more frequently asked questions about Genesis, the book of origins.

Vertical Thought: Spanish and More

Wed, 6 Jan 2010 09:04:07 -0500

I thought I knew exactly what I was doing, but my trip to Spain yielded some unexpected results.

Bible FAQ: What religion or denomination is the United Church of God?

Tue, 5 Jan 2010 13:37:21 -0500

I've never heard of the United Church of God. How are you related to the other denominations?

Bible FAQ: What is a United Church of God church service like?

Tue, 5 Jan 2010 13:37:01 -0500

What should I expect if I visit a UCG congregation for Sabbath services?

This is the Way: Sailing Ships

Tue, 5 Jan 2010 11:14:55 -0500

The Bible tells us that the way of a ship on the high seas is a wonder (Proverbs 30:19). Two sailing ships can be driven by the same wind and yet one will go east and the other will go west. This is determined by how the sail is set, not the direction of the wind. A ship can alter direction using the same wind by simply changing the setting of the sail.

Life is much like that. We all have goals, and we need to know how to set the sails in order to reach those goals. If the wind changes, the sail must be adjusted. Not paying attention to the changing winds can take us far off course. Our goals and ambitions in life require constant attention and the willingness to make adjustments when needed. Sailors do not regret or fight the wind; they rejoice in it and use it. That is what makes them excellent seamen. Paying attention to the way we set our sails and how we read the wind will keep us on course.

Editorial: The "Prophecy Factor"

Mon, 4 Jan 2010 16:46:09 -0500

Many prophecies also deal with behavior—how people act and what subsequently happens.

Are America's Superpower Days Numbered?

Mon, 4 Jan 2010 16:45:10 -0500

Great powers come and go. For more than six decades the United States has been the world's dominant power. Seventy years ago, Great Britain—with its vast empire—was the world's greatest power. Could the United States follow Britain into decline, to be replaced by another power? Is time running out on America's days as a superpower?

Does the United States Appear in Bible Prophecy?

Mon, 4 Jan 2010 16:44:23 -0500

Several small nations are found in Bible prophecies of the time of the end. But what about the major English-speaking countries? Are they absent from Bible prophecy, or do we just not know where to look?

God's Time Machine

Mon, 4 Jan 2010 16:43:08 -0500

During this age of science, many have dreamed of traveling to the past or to the future. But could there exist a time machine that most are not aware of? Could you have a way to learn what the future holds?

America's Economic Meltdown: What Does It Mean?

Mon, 4 Jan 2010 16:42:32 -0500

Unemployment, debt and trade imbalances are soaring while the dollar's value is plummeting. What's behind the shocking economic melt-down in the United States? Does Bible prophecy help us understand?

Abundant Fresh Fruit: To Serve God and Share With Others

Mon, 4 Jan 2010 16:41:43 -0500

We can become like God by having His Spirit dwelling in us. As we grow spiritually, we should see more evidence of that miracle—more "fruit of the Spirit." And with more fruit, there is more to give to others!

The Perfect Example of the Fruit of the Spirit: Jesus Christ

Mon, 4 Jan 2010 16:40:53 -0500

It's vital that Christians bear fruit in their lives—the fruit of the Spirit. What exactly does that fruit look like? In Jesus Christ we have the perfect example of what God's Spirit should produce in our lives!

Will 2012 Bring the End of the World?

Mon, 4 Jan 2010 16:39:47 -0500

It is claimed that an ancient Mayan calendar mysteriously ends at the winter solstice in the year 2012. Will that mark the end of human history? Does Bible prophecy reveal what really lies ahead in the coming years?

Could You Use Some Hope in Your Life?

Mon, 4 Jan 2010 16:36:47 -0500

If you are like the rest of us, you could probably use more hope in your life.

Beyond Today Program: Entertainment Overload

Mon, 4 Jan 2010 12:55:21 -0500

Does the profusion of entertainment choices today keep us diverted from what’s truly important? What can you do about it?

Good News Radio Program: In Search of a Just God

Mon, 4 Jan 2010 12:49:08 -0500

How can we equate a God of punishment with a God of love and mercy?

Weekly Topic: Top 10 Good News Magazine Articles Viewed Online

Thu, 31 Dec 2009 17:02:55 -0500

1. DNA: The Tiny Code That's Toppling Evolution
http://www.gnmagazine.org/issues/gn58/tinycode.htm
As scientists explore a new universe—the universe inside the cell—they are making startling discoveries of information systems more complex than anything ever devised by humanity's best minds. How did they get there, and what does it mean for the theory of evolution?

2. Do Good People Really Go to Heaven When They Die?
http://www.gnmagazine.org/issues/gn46/goodpeople.htm
Most churchgoers believe that when they die they will go to heaven, But will they? The Bible reveals some astounding truths about the mystery of life beyond the grave.

3. The End of the World: What Does the Bible Say?
http://www.gnmagazine.org/issues/gn44/world.htm
For centuries people have read the Bible and concluded that the world will come to an end. But will it? If so, how? What do the Scriptures teach about the end of the world?

4. What Did Jesus Look Like?
http://www.gnmagazine.org/issues/gn51/jesuslooklike.htm
Can forensic scientists discover what Jesus looked like 2,000 years later? Their conclusions, and what the Bible says, might be surprising.

5. Seven Prophecies That Must Be Fulfilled Before Jesus Christ's Return
http://www.gnmagazine.org/issues/gn74/sevenprophecies.htm
Previous generations have thought that Jesus Christ would return in their lifetimes, but they were proven wrong. Many people alive today think that Christ's return is imminent. Certainly, the Bible contains prophecies that could not have been fulfilled until this generation.

6. The Top 10 Reasons Why I Don't Celebrate Christmas
http://www.gnmagazine.org/issues/gn67/christmas.htm
It’s that time of year again! You’ll soon be barraged by the sights, sounds and smells of Christmas. Shoppers will soon go into spending overdrive, and when the bills arrive, some will wonder if it’s really worth it. Here’s a perspective from one who kicked the Christmas habit.

7. Visions of Judgment: The Horsemen of Revelation
http://www.gnmagazine.org/issues/gn50/thehorsemen.htm
The "four horsemen of the Apocalypse"— this latter term being the Greek name for the book of Revelation—have intrigued Bible readers for centuries. What do they represent? The implications for mankind are staggering. In this first article of a series, we introduce the overall prophecy and look in detail at the first horseman.

8. Was Christ Born on Christmas Day?
http://www.gnmagazine.org/issues/gn43/bornchristmas.htm
Do you observe Christmas because you think it's Christ's birthday? Was He born on or anytime near Dec. 25? If Jesus lived on earth today, would He celebrate Christmas at all?

9. The Middle East in Prophecy
http://www.gnmagazine.org/issues/gn38/middleeast.htm
The world stood transfixed in the wake of a carefully planned series of hijackings that destroyed the World Trade Center, crippled the Pentagon and took the lives of more than 5,000 men, women and children. On a sunny September morning, the world dramatically changed. What is the long-term significance?

10. Can You Prove the Bible Is True?
http://www.gnmagazine.org/issues/gn53/bibletrue.htm
Belief in the Bible as the inspired and accurate Word of God is plunging. Here are some simple proofs you can use to show that the Bible is indeed what it claims to be—the very Word of God.

Sermon: Importance of Sound Doctrine--The Degrees of Authority in the Scriptures

Thu, 31 Dec 2009 17:02:03 -0500

Listen to the audio/video sermon titled "Importance of Sound Doctrine--The Degrees of Authority in the Scriptures" by Richard Pinelli.

Sermon Transcript: Satan's Greatest Deception

Thu, 31 Dec 2009 17:01:29 -0500

How can there be such a great deception at the end of the age? How could we be deceived through great signs and wonders?

Commentary: Taken Hostage in Wytheville! (What's Holding You Hostage?)

Thu, 31 Dec 2009 17:00:09 -0500

We find much of society around us living in a state of stress and anxiety, not knowing what will be the outcome of circumstances that are seemingly holding them hostage. What is holding you hostage?

This is the Way: The Enemy of Contentment

Thu, 31 Dec 2009 10:31:30 -0500

In the last of the Ten Commandments, God instructs, “You shall not covet…anything that is your neighbor’s” (Exodus 20:17). Covetousness, the lust to have what does not belong to us, is the driving force behind many of the sins forbidden by the Ten Commandments. The Bible records that Satan—originally “the seal of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty” (Ezekiel 28:12)—started on the road to becoming the twisted, evil being he is today when he began coveting God’s position as Most High (Isaiah 14:12-14).

Likewise, if we allow our desire for the forbidden to drive us, we, too, will disqualify ourselves from the incredible future God intends for us. Paul, a servant of God who often found himself in life-threatening and otherwise trying situations, wrote about learning “in whatever state I am, to be content” (Philippians 4:11). He knew that “the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that shall be revealed in us” (Romans 8:18).

Being content with what we have does not always mean suffering. God wants His children to have the good things in life, but He knows the importance of working for them and being deserving of them. His contentment will not and cannot coexist with covetousness—and it is only with this contentment that we can realize the incredible potential we can have as members of God’s family.

Won’t it be great when the whole world finally keeps the Tenth Commandment?

GN Video Commentary: ... And a Successful New Year!

Wed, 30 Dec 2009 16:24:19 -0500

Now is a good time to stop and ask ourselves about how this first year of a new decade is going to go. What will it hold for us? Will it bring resolutions or revolutions? And, perhaps most importantly, what can we do to control our future, our success, in 2010?

Bible FAQ: How can I find the true Church of God?

Tue, 29 Dec 2009 14:06:05 -0500

Jesus promised His Church would never die out. In today's world of religious confusion, where is that church?

Bible FAQ: What was the mark of Cain?

Tue, 29 Dec 2009 14:05:41 -0500

What was the mark mentioned in Genesis 4:15 that God put on Cain after Cain killed his brother Abel?

This is the Way: Far From Harmless

Tue, 29 Dec 2009 11:48:51 -0500

Some people believe that as long as we aren’t hurting others or breaking the law, innocent “white” lies can make life more pleasant. That’s the most common justification given for what many call “white lies” (lies that are intended to shield the recipient from otherwise painful or uncomfortable truths. Can a lie truly not hurt anyone? Can it really be told with good intentions? Truth is, all lies—white or otherwise—operate on the premise of deception. They take the truth and either shade, twist or completely deface it. They also harm the person telling the lie and corrupting good character.

When it comes to honesty, God and Satan stand in two opposite corners. God “cannot lie” (Titus 1:2), while Satan is “a liar and the father of it” (John 8:44).

God tells us not to lie in the Ninth Commandment (Exodus 20:16). The world is not a better place because of our white lies. White lies—and all other kinds—have resulted in the continual distrust and skepticism that plagues society. There are always alternatives. In many cases where our opinion could be hurtful, we can avoid saying anything. Other times, with thought and sensitivity, we can find things to say that are kind and tactful—“speaking the truth in love” (Ephesians 4:15).

Won’t it be great when the whole world finally keeps the Ninth Commandment?

Beyond Today Commentary: The Ten Commandments

Tue, 29 Dec 2009 11:48:23 -0500

Are you really keeping the Ten Commandments?

Beyond Today Program: Can You Believe Bible Prophecy?

Tue, 29 Dec 2009 11:47:53 -0500

Are you a spiritual skeptic? How can you know what the Bible says is really true? Tune in to discover the answer.

Good News Radio Program: Babylon in History and Prophecy

Tue, 29 Dec 2009 11:47:18 -0500

Do modern marvels cause us to neglect ancient Bible prophecies? You'll be amazed at what God reveals for the future!

This is the Way: Theft Is Wrong--Plain and Simple

Thu, 24 Dec 2009 09:11:23 -0500

God said simply, “You shall not steal” (Exodus 20:15). What God says is wrong is wrong. His law doesn’t contain escape clauses, and what He calls wrong we cannot allow ourselves to think of as right or even justifiable under certain circumstances. Theft in any of its forms—whether of a candy bar or $150 million—means depriving someone else of the fruits of their labor.

The world tells us, “If you want it, take it.” God tells us, “If you want it, earn it.” The things worth having often require effort on our part, but this is not a hindrance—instead, it helps us appreciate what we’ve worked for. We work to maintain friendships. We work to make the income necessary to live. We work to maintain our relationship with God.

A world without theft will be a world where locked doors, alarm systems and other precautions are no longer required for protection. Can you imagine a world focused on giving rather than getting?

Won’t it be great when the whole world finally keeps the Eighth Commandment?

Weekly Topic: 10 Reasons Why I Don't Celebrate Christmas

Thu, 24 Dec 2009 08:56:56 -0500

It's that time of year again! You are now barraged by the sights, sounds and smells of Christmas. Shoppers are going into spending overdrive, and when the bills arrive, some will wonder if it's really worth it. Here's a list of ten reasons from one person on why they kicked the Christmas habit.

1. Christmas is driven by commercialism.

2. Christmas is nowhere mentioned in the Bible.

3. Jesus wasn't born on or near December 25.

4. The Christmas holiday is largely a recycled pagan celebration.

5. God condemns using pagan customs to worship Him.

6. Christmas is worshipping God in vain.

7. You can't put Christ back into something He was never in.

8. The Bible nowhere tells us to observe a holiday celebrating Jesus Christ's birth—but it clearly does tell us to commemorate His death.

9. Christmas obscures God's plan for mankind.

10. I'd rather celebrate the Holy Days Jesus Christ and the apostles observed.

For more details about each of these ten reasons, read the complete article.
The Top 10 Reasons Why I Don't Celebrate Christmas

Sermon: Christmas and the Saddest Irony of All

Thu, 24 Dec 2009 08:53:22 -0500

Listen to the audio/video sermon titled "Christmas and the Saddest Irony of All" by Clyde Kilough.

Sermon Transcript - Lessons from the Nativity

Thu, 24 Dec 2009 08:53:17 -0500

What lessons can we learn from the birth of Jesus Christ and do these lessons present any challenges for us as Christians as we live our lives?

GN Video Commentary: A Distant Family Member

Wed, 23 Dec 2009 16:37:02 -0500

Once you begin to understand the real story of Jesus Christ then you will understand how He is finding His family.

Commentary: Why Do You Celebrate Christmas?

Wed, 23 Dec 2009 16:36:25 -0500

I found I could not ignore these facts: Christ never instituted Christmas, never celebrated it and never taught it. So, why was I doing it? What about you? Why do you celebrate Christmas?

Bible FAQ: How can I choose a self-help program for overcoming deeply ingrained habits or sins?

Tue, 22 Dec 2009 12:15:44 -0500

What biblical principles apply to deciding on a program to help break a bad habit or sin?

This is the Way: Sex Is a Gift From God

Tue, 22 Dec 2009 11:17:20 -0500

The Seventh Commandment, thundered by God from Mount Sinai, states, “You shall not commit adultery” (Exodus 20:14). Straightforward enough, but when Jesus came to earth, He made it clear that the commandment was not dealing exclusively with physical actions, but also underlying attitudes. He said: “Whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart” (Matthew 5:28).

That takes things to a whole new level. It’s not enough to just keep from sex outside of marriage, but to keep our minds clean of the lust to do so. Adultery destroys relationships. For the married man or woman, it will seriously damage the marriage relationship along with the essential trust in it. There are no upsides to the abuse of the gift of sex. Even the lustful attitude leading to sex outside of marriage is condemned because its ultimate result is an ugly mess of lies, deceit, hurt, sorrow and anger.

Such things have no place in God’s family. He instead wants to see us find incredible joy and pleasure in a fulfilling, monogamous marriage—the same type of loving, enduring relationship that Christ has with His Church (Ephesians 5:25-27).

Won’t it be great when the whole world finally keeps the Seventh Commandment?

GN Video Commentary: The Man Who Will Be King

Mon, 21 Dec 2009 12:06:27 -0500

Jesus Christ is returning to Jerusalem, not as a baby in the manger, but as King of Kings.

Beyond Today Commentary: Christmas Without Christ?

Mon, 21 Dec 2009 12:06:00 -0500

Do you have a love/hate relationship with the holidays?

Beyond Today Program: Christmas Without Christ?

Mon, 21 Dec 2009 12:05:18 -0500

Some say Christ needs to be put back into Christmas. But was He ever in Christmas to begin with? Learn the plain truth!

Good News Radio Program: Have Christians Forgotten Christ?

Mon, 21 Dec 2009 12:04:44 -0500

Have Christians forgotten Christ in Christmas?

Weekly Topic: Christmas is big business

Thu, 17 Dec 2009 17:12:21 -0500

Those Christmas bells chiming during the holiday season might be likened to cash registers ringing up millions of dollars in retail sales. Christmas is very big business and is thought to be great for the national economy. But has anyone thought to ask whether this type of wild spending is really in people's best interests, either now or, more importantly, for their long-term spiritual well-being?

Should we be buying gifts others frequently don't want or need with money we don't have? It's a logical question.

Yet people will defend observing Christmas by countering that it's a celebration honoring Jesus' birth. If that's true, why buy gifts for others and not Jesus Christ? Is Christendom behind the presumptive trappings of a pre-Christmas season or is it being promoted by secular businesses for their own gain?

Christmas is so popular that millions of atheists and people of other religions celebrate the holiday. Why don't people, those who claim to be Christians or otherwise, resist the commercial aspect of the season?

Observing Christmas because "everyone does it" is a trigger feature. Other triggers include the music, the lights, the decorations and the sentimental store displays, each of which can cause us to respond automatically—rendering us nearly helpless as we part with our money. But do we really honor God by uncontrolled spending during the Christmas season?

Sermon: Lessons from the Nativity

Thu, 17 Dec 2009 17:11:43 -0500

What lessons can we learn from the birth of Jesus Christ and do these lessons present any challenges for us as Christians as we live our lives?

Sermon Transcript: Effective Repentance: Corinthian Style

Thu, 17 Dec 2009 17:11:06 -0500

Repentance is the foundation upon which we build our Christian lives.

Commentary: The First Christmas in Rome and What It Means to Us

Thu, 17 Dec 2009 17:10:33 -0500

The majority of Christians believe they are honoring Jesus Christ by observing Christmas. A minority of Christians believe keeping Christmas does not honor Christ. Where does the Bible stand on this question?

This is the Way: If Thoughts Could Kill

Thu, 17 Dec 2009 11:48:28 -0500

Christ told His disciples, “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.’ But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment” (Matthew 5:21-22). “Angry” here implies a deep wrath or hatred of one’s brother. What we learn here is that God’s command in Exodus 20:13, “You shall not murder,” was not intended solely as a restriction against taking someone’s life. The attitude behind murder—hatred of another being—is also forbidden.

Christ explained: “I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you.” Why? “That you may be sons of your Father in heaven… Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect” (Matthew 5:44-45, 48).

God was willing to send His Son to die for us. If anyone has a right to hate someone else, God does. And yet, we read that “God so loved the world” (John 3:16)—so much so that He wants to include its people in His eternal family.

GN Video Commentary: Silvio Berlusconi Attacked

Wed, 16 Dec 2009 15:14:19 -0500

Events like this bring to mind a passage in the New Testament—a troubling description of social trends in the last days.

Bible FAQ: Is drinking alcoholic beverages a sin?

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 14:56:18 -0500

The Bible clearly teaches that drinking too much alcohol is sin. But is alcohol itself a sin?

Bible FAQ: How can I overcome an alcohol or drug problem?

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 14:54:09 -0500

What does the Bible say that can help me in my struggle with drinking and drugs?

This is the Way: Honoring Mom and Dad

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 14:22:08 -0500

In the Fifth Commandment (Exodus 20:12), God instructs, “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the LORD your God is giving you.” God takes family relations seriously. He wants us to be children in His family (1 John 3:1). But such a family is impossible without the correct relations between each member—especially honor.

It’s important to note that there’s no “if” clause in the Fifth Commandment. We are not told, “Honor your father and your mother unless/until [insert reason here].” We are to honor them always. That may be difficult when families are in chaos.

As a representative of your family’s name, you choose whether or not you bring honor or dishonor to your parents by your actions. What you do (and even don’t do) will affect how people see not only you, but those related to you. When we choose to bring honor to our family name and our parents, it opens up the potential for a long and happy life.

Won’t it be great when the whole world finally keeps the Fifth Commandment?

GN Video Commentary: Jesus Misquoted

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 16:01:03 -0500

Jesus didn't teach that there are no standards of right and wrong. Jesus did teach that before you judge someone else you must first judge yourself.

Beyond Today Commentary: Christmas

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 16:00:40 -0500

Should Christians celebrate Christmas? The Bible has some surprising answers!

Beyond Today Program: A Modern Menace: Infectious Disease

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 16:00:05 -0500

Jesus Christ warned of coming worldwide disease pandemics. Are they now near our doorstep? You need to know.

Good News Radio Program: 4,000 Years of Christmas

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 15:59:31 -0500

The origins of Christmas may be different that what you have been lead to believe.

Weekly Topic: Cause and effect: often overlooked

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 18:33:59 -0500

God has often tried to impress on man the crucial principle that every effect has a cause. But we have difficulty grasping this truth, so we continue to suffer the debilitating effects of our transgressions.

We can trace many tragedies and much suffering to our own all-too-human actions and decisions. In a world of freedom of choice, some choices inevitably lead to harmful and painful results.

Actions yield consequences. Many people recognize the saying "You reap what you sow," but they do not realize that it comes from the Bible (see Galatians 6:6-7). Proverbs 22:8 says that "He who sows iniquity will reap sorrow."

When we analyze the phenomenon of suffering, we can learn much if we will trace the circumstances back to their cause. Proverbs 22:3 warns us to consider the long-term consequences of our actions: "A prudent man foresees evil and hides himself, but the simple pass on and are punished."

When we look for the main causes of suffering, we often need look no further than ourselves—the decisions and actions of individuals and humanity as a whole. In one way or another sin is usually the underlying cause, and suffering is the effect.

Sermon: Seven Footprints of Faith

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 18:32:56 -0500

Listen to the audio/video sermon titled "Seven Footprints of Faith" by Ralph Levy.

Sermon Transcript: A Lesson From the Elephants

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 18:32:22 -0500

The family unit is extremely important to God. When the family unit is disrupted, or injured, the results can be far reaching, and affecting many people beyond just that small group.

Commentary: An Overlooked Aspect of the Climate Change Debate

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 16:48:58 -0500

The Bible talks about a cause of future climate change that no scientific model can predict and that no amount of debate can debunk. The core of the Bible teaching is simple, but the future predictions are earthshaking.

This is the Way: Working 24/6

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 16:48:20 -0500

Ever felt like you were being pushed beyond your limits? Like your every minute was crammed so full of activity that it was about to burst? Wouldn’t it be great to have some time to take a break from it all?

The Fourth Commandment gives us the incredible opportunity to do just that. In Exodus 20:8-10, God commands, “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the LORD your God. In it you shall do no work...” This seventh day of rest is both a commandment and a blessing to all those who faithfully keep it.

God, who alone has an intimate knowledge of our needs, established the Sabbath so that once every seven days we would take a break from our hectic schedule and rest. Failure to set aside time to recharge our batteries will eventually cause us to burn out and crash. We are commanded to keep this time holy by not working and by delighting in it and focusing on God (Isaiah 58:13-14). This includes meeting together to worship God, fellowshipping and serving others.

In a world drowning in endless jobs and chores with an ever-burgeoning demand on our time, the Sabbath is a welcome and necessary rest. It is a time to change our focus, slow down, and draw closer to our Creator, who has had, still has and will always have our best interests at heart.

Won’t it be great when the whole world finally keeps the Sabbath?

GN Video Commentary: Copenhagen: Just Snuff?

Wed, 9 Dec 2009 16:37:44 -0500

We do need to take a major step toward global management of our planet—we need a one-world government. But who can be trusted to be fair, truthful and benevolent to all the world?

Bible FAQ: What does the Bible teach about homosexuality?

Tue, 8 Dec 2009 11:47:30 -0500

Homosexuality is an explosively controversial subject in our present society, but it is not a new issue for the Church of God. It confronted the early New Testament Church.

Bible FAQ: What does the Bible say about same-sex marriages?

Tue, 8 Dec 2009 11:47:06 -0500

How does the Bible define marriage?

This is the Way: Don't Take It in Vain

Tue, 8 Dec 2009 10:22:53 -0500

In America especially, God’s name is used ad nauseam to express an extensive range of thoughts and emotions: surprise, horror, fear, excitement, frustration, joy, disgust, sadness—in fact, it is used for almost everything but actually talking to God and Jesus.

Using God’s name as nothing more than an exclamation is a common infraction of the Third Commandment: “You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain” (Exodus 20:7). Invoking the names of the most powerful Beings in the universe just to indicate shock is not only vanity, but it shows great disrespect.

But there’s more to it than that. As part of God’s family (1 John 3:1), we represent and bear His name. It follows that, like it or not, our actions will determine how others view the God we worship—and giving others a skewed impression of God because of our disregard for His commands is even worse than speaking God’s name in vain. It would mean living God’s name in vain.

By making sure to both speak and live in a godly manner, we can be sure of two things: we will be safe from breaking the Third Commandment, and we will give others a better understanding of who God is and what He is about.

Won’t it be great when everyone finally keeps the Third Commandment?

GN Video Commentary: Christmas: Why Are We Doing This?

Mon, 7 Dec 2009 14:34:13 -0500

Have you ever stopped and found yourself asking why? Why are we doing this? Why are we spending all this money, even burdening ourselves with debt carrying over into the new year? Is Christmas even worth celebrating?

Beyond Today Commentary: Echo

Mon, 7 Dec 2009 14:33:52 -0500

Jesus Christ set the example and gave everthing for you. Be sure to echo His way.

Beyond Today Program: Is 2012 the End of the World?

Mon, 7 Dec 2009 14:33:08 -0500

Movies, books and Websites are fanning the 2012 disaster craze. Should you be troubled? Learn the important truth!

Good News Radio Program: Tyre in History and Prophecy

Mon, 7 Dec 2009 14:32:27 -0500

In these modern times can really believe in ancient Bible prophecy?

Vertical Thought Commentary: Feel Good vs. Real Good

Fri, 4 Dec 2009 14:29:44 -0500

What is it that many of these so-called "feel-good churches" really offer to their attendees?

Weekly Topic: Who Is God Calling?

Thu, 3 Dec 2009 15:43:56 -0500

Jesus said, "For many are called, but few are chosen" (Matthew 22:14). What is the difference between being called and being chosen? The Greek word kletos, translated "called," can also be translated "invited." A calling by God is His offer, His invitation, to repent and enter into a relationship with Him.

In Romans 8:28-30 we read: "We know that in everything God works for the good of those who love him. They are the people he called [kletos, invited], because that was his plan . . . And he decided that they would be like his Son so that Jesus would be the firstborn of many brothers. God planned for them to be like his Son; and those he planned to be like his Son, he also called; and those he called, he also made right with him; and those he made right, he also glorified" (Romans 8:28-30, New Century Version).

Yes, God must first call, or invite, us to enter into a relationship with Him. He does this by opening our minds to a basic understanding of the Scriptures and our need to repent.

Why must God invite us to have a relationship with Him? Christ answers that question in John 6:44: "No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day." If God did not place some understanding of His Word into our minds and provide us an incentive to repent, we would never recognize how much we need to change.

But recognizing a need for change is only recognizing God's calling. Only those who respond and repent are chosen for a special relationship with Him in the spiritual Body that is His Church. Paul addresses those who have accepted God's invitation as "the church of God . . . , those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called [invited] to be saints, with all who in every place call on the name of Jesus Christ our Lord" (1 Corinthians 1:2). Those who repent and are baptized (Acts 2:38) are then chosen "for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth" (2 Thessalonians 2:13).

God invites many more into this special relationship than respond. However, the Bible reveals that most people who are called do not respond to their invitation for several reasons. That is why many more are called than are chosen for salvation today.

In the parable of the sower and the seed (Matthew 13:18-23) Christ explained that the sower (God) casts the seeds of invitation to many people. However, for various reasons, including deception by the "wicked one" (the devil), lack of spiritual roots, pressure from friends and relatives and the distraction of the physical cares of this life, most do not accept God's invitation to have a close, personal relationship with Him. Only a few do and eventually bear fruit.

We must keep in mind that God sets terms on our relationship with Him. Millions of people claim to have a relationship with God, but in reality they have ignored the terms He set for us to enter into a relationship with Him. They want to have a relationship with God, but one based on their terms, not His. Thus we must clearly understand the terms of the relationship God wants to have with us.

In this Bible Study lesson, we'll examine that relationship. We will also review some historical relationships and see the lessons we may learn from them. Then we will consider what God expects from us and offers us through a relationship with Him.

Sermon - A Matter of Character

Thu, 3 Dec 2009 15:42:31 -0500

Listen to the audio/video sermon titled "A Matter of Character" by David Johnson.

Sermon Transcript: God Wants You to Be Happy

Thu, 3 Dec 2009 15:39:54 -0500

Why are so many people unhappy in this world? Could it be they are lacking something in their lives?

The Rise of the Asian Dragon

Thu, 3 Dec 2009 15:37:38 -0500

How do China's amazing transformation and increasing global power fit into prophesied end-time events?

Restoration: Springtime in Israel

Thu, 3 Dec 2009 15:37:07 -0500

Is there another type of "insurance" we can procure for the dangerous times that lie ahead?

"Mr. Gorbachev, Tear Down This Wall"

Thu, 3 Dec 2009 15:36:41 -0500

This historic demand, delivered by U.S. President Ronald Reagan in front of Berlin's Brandenburg Gate on June 12, 1987, came to symbolize the Eastern European revolt against Communist slavery in 1989. Nearly 2 1/2 years after the president's epochal visit, the Berlin Wall collapsed on Nov. 9, 1989. What are the prophetic implications indicated in God's Word?

The Anglo-Catholic Unity Conundrum: Consider the Future Implications

Thu, 3 Dec 2009 15:36:24 -0500

Why does the Roman Catholic Church now seek to recruit disenchanted Anglican priests and lay members? How will Pope Benedict's ostensibly generous offer ultimately affect Europe? How do these European religious movements fit into Bible prophecy?

Could America Be Replaced as the Global Superpower?

Thu, 3 Dec 2009 15:36:05 -0500

Great powers come and go. For more than six decades the United States has been the world's dominant power. Seventy years ago, Great Britain—with its vast empire—was the world's greatest power. Could the United States follow Britain into decline and be replaced by another power? Are we seeing the first stages?

This Is The Way..."And You Hold Fast to My Name"

Thu, 3 Dec 2009 15:35:13 -0500

What's in a name? Does your reputation hold fast to Christ's name?

GN Video Commentary: Et Tu, Tiger?

Thu, 3 Dec 2009 13:00:52 -0500

The Tiger Woods high-profile sexual scandal have captured headlines around the world. This should serve as a sober reminder to all of us of the danger of letting down our own moral guard, and lead us to ask ourselves if we could do something similar.

This is the Way: Silly Gods and American Idols?

Thu, 3 Dec 2009 10:47:28 -0500

God told ancient Israel, “You shall not make for yourself a carved image [idol]…you shall not bow down to them nor serve them” (Exodus 20:4-5). To many people in the modern world, carved images and idols sound so primitive. Can such an ancient command have relevance for us today?

Yes—yes it can. In Ezekiel 14:3, God holds against His people the fact that they have set up idols in their hearts. An idol is not just a statue—it is anything we give more importance or priority than the true God, as well as any physical representation we might try to use in worshipping God. In his article, “Our Silly Gods and American Idols,” Rob Dreher lists a few of the idols we may have set up in our hearts. Two are Money and Hedonism (or, “If it feels good, do it”). The point is, using a statue or picture in our worship isn’t the only form of idolatry.

Mankind is walking down a progressively darker and darker road because of our insistence on serving useless, harmful idols in place of the only living God. The prophet Isaiah, speaking for God, contrasts these two paths and their ultimate ends: “When you cry out, let your collection of idols deliver you. But the wind will carry them all away, a breath will take them. But he who puts his trust in Me shall possess the land, and shall inherit My holy mountain” (Isaiah 57:13).

Won’t it be great when everyone finally keeps the Second Commandment?

GN Video Commentary: Out of the Rubble

Wed, 2 Dec 2009 13:23:22 -0500

The next time you face the storms of hardship, try to look at them from a different perspective and determine to make it an opportunity for greater growth.

Commentary: Four Lakewood Police Officers Killed: How Did This Happen?

Wed, 2 Dec 2009 12:04:06 -0500

As a society, we must learn how to better deal with evil.

Commentary: Can the U.S. Consumer Save the World?

Tue, 1 Dec 2009 15:21:24 -0500

Will Americans spend or save? Which should they do?

Bible FAQ: Is adultery grounds for divorce?

Tue, 1 Dec 2009 11:46:52 -0500

Did Jesus Christ mean by His statements recorded in Matthew 5:31-32 that the sin of adultery is grounds for a believer to divorce his or her spouse?

Bible FAQ: Why are there so many examples of polygamy in the Bible?

Tue, 1 Dec 2009 11:46:20 -0500

What does God think about polygamy—having more than one wife or husband?

This is the Way: Number One

Tue, 1 Dec 2009 11:29:56 -0500

In the Bible: “You shall have no other gods before Me” (Exodus 20:3).

On the Internet: “Believing there is no God means the suffering I’ve seen in my family, and indeed all the suffering in the world, isn’t caused by an omniscient, omnipresent, omnipotent force that isn’t bothered to help or is just testing us, but rather something we all may be able to help others with in the future. No God means the possibility of less suffering in the future” (Penn Jilette, “There Is No God”).

This excerpt encapsulates the way many around the world view the God of the Bible: an all-knowing, all-present, all-powerful being who either doesn’t care about His creation or who wantonly subjects it to cruelty. Such a being, many atheists conclude, could not exist.

To their credit, they are right. No such God exists. What Penn Jilette—and countless others across the globe—doesn’t understand is that all the suffering in this world is in fact caused by a near-universal rejection of the true God and His commandments. God did not turn His back on us; rather, we as a world have turned our back on God.

God promises, “If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14). Suffering will end only when humanity learns to place God first in their lives. Won’t it be great when the First Commandment is finally kept?

GN Video Commentary: The EU: Still to Join the Heavyweights?

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 18:32:51 -0500

While Europe's endgame may not yet be clear in the minds of EU politicians, it is clearly depicted in Bible prophecy, where a ten-nation superpower known as "the Beast" is prophesied to arise out of European politics and religion.

Beyond Today Commentary: Eraser

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 12:41:18 -0500

Change your life for the better and utilize that great spiritual eraser.

Beyond Today Program: Soft on Hell

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 12:40:44 -0500

People have conflicting ideas on heaven and hell. Since they can’t all be right, what are the real facts? Prepare to be challenged!

Good News Radio Program: When God Doesn't Make Sense

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 12:35:53 -0500

What do we do when God just does not seem to make sense?

This is the Way: White Garments

Thu, 26 Nov 2009 09:15:38 -0500

White clothing looks clean and fresh, but only until stains and dirt disturb the beauty of the outfit. Wearing white is cherished, even though it is a challenge to preserve. Wedding dresses are traditionally white to show the purity and virginity of the person wearing the gown. The Bible describes saints as those dressed in white. In that case, white describes righteousness and purity.

“Let your garments always be white” says the wise man in Ecclesiastes 9:8. There is much to be said about people who are careful, not only about their clothing, but also their inner purity and righteousness. It takes vigilance and care to avoid staining a white garment, and it takes the same qualities to maintain a good name and reputation.

“Let your garments always be white” means keeping your guard up against all that is wicked, evil, unholy or profane. The rewards are great in this life and in the future. The Bible therefore used the description of white garments when referring to the condition of the person of great righteousness (Revelation 3:5; 19:8). By keeping your outer and inner garments pure, you will please both God and your fellow man.

GN Video Commentary: Thanksgiving: More than Turkey and Football!

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 17:51:33 -0500

Thanksgiving is about more than turkeys and football. It's a day dedicated to our Lord and Creator. As we approach the holiday this year, let's remember and acknowledge Him, and His role in our national blessings.

Weekly Topic: The Bible encourages giving thanks

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 15:51:02 -0500

When it comes to the need to be thankful, the Bible emphasizes action over passivity. In the New King James Version of the Bible, the word thankful appears only three times, and unthankful appears only twice. The number of times both words are used is surprisingly small.

However, thanksgiving occurs 31 times, and the phrases give thanks or give You [God] thanks occur 43 times. The words thank and God occur in the same verse 15 times; thanks and God are used together 23 times; thank or thanks and Lord appear together 43 times.

The word praise implies a big thank-you given with an abundance of admiration and respect. The world would be a better place with more praise and less criticism. If parents praised their children more, they would need far less punishment. If we praised our families and coworkers, the workplace would be far less tense and would experience more peace and productivity. We humans thrive and strive better under the warm sunshine of praise.

The Bible stresses that the greatest praise should go to God. Praise and God occur in the same verse 57 times, and praise and Lord occur together 97 times. Are you thankful for a beautiful day, a gorgeous rainbow, a spectacular sunset? Tell God about it! Thank the One who created it all!

We should be thankful for all we've been given, and express it. This is what Thanksgiving Day is supposed to be about. Remember to be thankful for your country and its blessings. Do you express it? Tell your family and friends how much you appreciate them, and remember to give the greatest share of credit and praise to the Great Benefactor, the Creator and Giver of all blessings (James 1:17).

Commentary: Universal Healing Care Headed Our Way

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 14:22:25 -0500

The time is coming when all humanity will experience the life-giving and life-altering miracles that only the love and power of God can provide.

Sermon: After the Feast--The Importance of Christian Growth

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 14:21:44 -0500

Listen to the audio/video sermon titled "After the Feast--The Importance of Christian Growth" by Lyle Welty.

Sermon Transcript: The Missing Dimension in Godly Love

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 14:21:18 -0500

Is there a missing dimension in our understanding of Godly love?

Bible FAQ: How should a Christian view the Old Testament?

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 12:42:41 -0500

Is the Old Testament outdated and obsolete or valuable for Christians to live by?

This is the Way: The Price of Freedom

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 11:27:27 -0500

Jesus Christ said the truth would set a person free (John 8:32). Most people want truth—as long as it doesn’t mean any major changes for them. Truth does set us free from the ultimate results of error and falsehood, but because it is not always convenient, people tend to choose an easier route.

It takes courage to follow truth when that path is narrow and difficult—and the Bible tells us that the right, best and only successful way is indeed narrow (Matthew 7:14). When a person determines to follow what is right, he or she also grows in strength of character, developing many positive traits along the way. There is danger in everything we do. Why not take the risk with something worthwhile?

GN Video Commentary: Artificial Barriers

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 12:43:25 -0500

Have you ever regretted not trying something new because you worried about failure or looking bad? How many artificial barriers have you constructed in your life?

Beyond Today Commentary: Lies

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 12:43:01 -0500

Has lying become acceptable? Life works better when you tell the truth!

Beyond Today Program: Why Give Thanks?

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 12:42:33 -0500

What is thankfulness and to whom should it be given? Are we truly grateful for our blessings? Should a nation give thanks?

Good News Radio Program: The New Intolerance

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 12:41:59 -0500

Is there absolute truth when it comes to moralism?

GN Video Commentary: Bend But Don't Break

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:40:40 -0500

The next time you experience one of those difficult times that take you close to your breaking point, remember the bamboo: bend but don't break.

Weekly Topic: Make family Bible study a positive, pleasant time

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 17:59:59 -0500

Such of the success of family Bible study will depend on your children's attitude toward it and what kind of memories they have of it. So strive to make it into a relaxed, happy family tradition that they will cherish.

Parents who regularly lead in family Bible study consider it to be a great blessing for themselves. They experience great satisfaction and joy in those special times sharing the treasures of God's Word with their children.

Now a word to fathers. Many fathers have turned over most of the teaching and training of their children to the mothers. But when fathers are present, God wants them to take a major share in teaching and to gently take the lead, being careful with their approach.

"Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord" (Ephesians 6:4, Revised Standard Version).

Our goal should be to inspire our children to have "the love of the truth, that they might be saved" (2 Thessalonians 2:10). We need to teach our children that "all Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable" (2 Timothy 3:16).

The broader context of both of these passages speaks about how persecution and deceptive teachings will become worse at the end of this present age of man. To remain faithful to God during those trials, we and our children need to be prepared with the Word of God in our minds and hearts as our source of faith, wisdom and strength.

Those of us who are parents should consider our children as loaned to us from God. We must be the best stewards and teachers that we can be, for they also are God's children! When those precious children reach adulthood, may we be able to say to them, as Paul wrote to Timothy in 2 Timothy 3:15, "From childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures."

Commentary: "Acts of God"

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 17:59:31 -0500

There is a substantial error in the common use of the term "acts of God." Why?

Sermon: Whatever Happened to the Father?

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 17:59:06 -0500

Listen to the audio/video sermon titled "Whatever Happened to the Father?" by Gary Antion.

Sermon Transcript: Whatever Happened to the Father?

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 17:58:33 -0500

Whatever happened to the Father? Why is He seemingly so unimportant in the world of Christianity? Let's see what the Bible and the Jesus Christ have to say about whatever happened to the Father?

This is the Way: Out of the Frying Pan...

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 14:48:43 -0500

There is an old saying that fits foolish people: "Out of the frying pan, into the fire." The actions of an impulsive, non-thinking person fit this statement. All too often in life we think we are escaping one predicament only to put ourselves into another one—one that is worse. Peter explained that some had escaped the corruption of the world only to be entangled again and more deeply (2 Peter 2:20).

Advisers in money matters often find that once people get their house in order, they go right ahead and slip into a mess again. It seems our guard is lowered. The most dangerous time seems to be the moment at which the first problem vanishes. Then we can become complacent again. It is not always easy to maintain our guard, but it is vital that we do. In time, when better habits are formed, we can relax our guard a little. It is great to get out of the frying pan—but if we don’t look carefully, we can land in the fire.

This is the Way: Open Your Heart

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 11:09:51 -0500

“The human heart, at whatever age, opens only to the heart that opens in return,” stated Maria Edgeworth, a 19th-centurty writer. And certainly we have each experienced, from others or within ourselves, a closed heart. It is difficult to remain open because of the trust that is required from both sides. This element of trust we must have toward our fellow man is an important lesson and challenge we all face. Our life is built on trust in many small ways. Opening up to someone is one way to practice the trust we must feel for God and Christ.

To open one’s heart does not mean complete exposure of all we are to everyone we meet. Instead, it means being friendly, ready to talk, smiling and inviting. In its purest form it means showing respect and concern to others. The Scriptures tell us that we will reap as we sow (Galatians 6:7). And truly, when we open our hearts to others with wisdom and discretion, they will come toward us. Give trust a try.

Bible FAQ: Is there a secret Bible code?

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 11:09:21 -0500

A popular book claims that there is a secretly embedded code in the Bible, discernible by computer calculations. Is this true?

Bible FAQ: Is the book of Enoch sacred writing?

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 11:08:53 -0500

Is the book of Enoch an inspired writing that Christians should study like the Bible?

GN Video Commentary: 40 Years of Sesame Street

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 15:00:35 -0500

Sesame Street has done a lot in its 40 years to strengthen important life skills in younger generations.

Beyond Today Commentary: Raccoon

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 12:21:30 -0500

Sin often comes dressed in an adorable appearance. Don't be fooled by sin.

Beyond Today Program: Surviving an Economic Crisis

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 12:21:02 -0500

How can you get control of your life, behavior and money? The answer comes from a surprising, yet very wise source.

Good News Radio Program: What Did Jesus Look Like?

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 12:20:15 -0500

Can we really know what Jesus looked like?

GN Video Commentary: Peace, Peace -- But There Is No Peace

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 14:15:12 -0500

Keep your eyes on the Middle East. Bible prophecy indicates it will be the center of strife and troubles, leading up to the coming of the Prince of Peace. Only He will be really successful in bringing true peace.

Vertical Thought Commentary: The Decline and Fall of Civility

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 10:44:32 -0500

What's behind the increasing trend of rude public behavior?

Weekly Topic: Walking Through the Valleys of Life

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 14:11:16 -0500

King David wrote in Psalm 23 about walking through "the shadow of death." This is probably a metaphor for life's trials in general, though it also applies to a person facing his own death or the death of a loved one.

In this life we face trials. We are constantly exposed to a range of strains and stresses. However, we can call on several strategies to lessen the load. Here are a few effective steps:

• Learn from trials and suffering. They can help us learn new skills. Jesus Christ learned by His difficult circumstances and experiences (Hebrews 5:8), and so can we.

• Count your blessings.When we focus on pain, we often forget how good life has been to us. Paul said we should always be thankful (Philippians 4:6). He also explained that the result of giving thanks is a "peace which surpasses all understanding" (verse 7).

• Don't be a prisoner of your suffering. Severe trials can cause emotional paralysis. We need to remain active because inactivity further devastates morale. Dr. Paul Brand, an expert on the subject of pain, said: "When I confront intense pain, I look for activities that will fully absorb me, either mentally or physically. I ... have found that conscious distraction and the discipline of activity can be helpful tools in combating pain" (Paul Brand and Philip Yancey, The Gift Nobody Wants, 1993, p. 254).

• Find someone with whom you can share your load. Many people undergoing severe trials make the mistake of trying to handle them alone. Without question, those who reach out to others in times of need benefit from doing so. We need human contact. "Two are better than one ... But woe to him who is alone when he falls, for he has no one to help him up" (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10).

• Break the trial into bite-sized bits. When your difficulty or workload is daunting, divide it into manageable chores.

• Take life one day at a time. People battling depression, emotional struggles and difficulties in general often share a self-defeating mind-set. Their emotions tell them their trial will never end. In such times we need an attitude that realizes that this trial, too, shall pass—as most difficulties indeed do. Adopt the psalmist's perspective: "This is the day which the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it" (Psalm 118:24), in spite of our difficulties.

• Don't be frustrated by trifling issues. Learn to put minor problems behind you and make decisions of lesser importance with a minimum of stress and worry.

• Eat a balanced, nourishing diet. Our bodies and minds are much less able to deal with stress and other difficulties if we do not provide them with the nutrients they need.

• Exercise regularly. Proper exercise relieves stress, provides a feeling of well-being and helps us sleep better—all of which are important for our contentment and mental stability.

• Provide yourself regular rest and relaxation. God commanded that we rest every week on the Sabbath day (Exodus 20:8-11). We also need relaxing time on a daily basis.

• Make a change. We cannot avoid some distressful situations, and others we should not avoid. To opt out of them would be wrong. But don't be a glutton for punishment. If you can escape a trial without being irresponsible, take steps to do so (see Proverbs 22:3).

• Develop your sense of humor. "A cheerful heart is good medicine (Proverbs 17:22, NIV). Humor helps us rise above stresses. Viktor Frankl discovered, while imprisoned in Auschwitz, that humor is an innate weapon in the fight for survival. Laughter truly is effective medicine.

• Realize that ultimately all things are in God's able hands. Jesus points us to God: "Father, into Your hands I commend My spirit" (Luke 23:46). David urges us to "commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him" (Psalm 37:5). The Hebrew word translated "commit" means "to roll some object on." A mental picture that can help make the meaning clear is the thought of flinging yourself upon God—as a child would fall helplessly into his physical father's outstretched arms.

Commentary: Dangers in Genetically Modified Food

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 14:10:31 -0500

Genetically modified foods reflect a much larger problem—greed in the marketplace and the powerful drive for profits. The desire for more and more money can cause producers to overlook the possible adverse effects that these products could have on consumers.

Sermon: A Lesson From the Elephants

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 14:09:26 -0500

Listen to the audio/video sermon titled "A Lesson From the Elephants" by Rex Sexton.

Sermon Transcript: Life Lessons From Ecclesiastes

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 14:08:53 -0500

Does the fun and enjoyment in your life reflect God's way? Do you find real meaning in life?

This is the Way: One Opportunity

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 10:51:11 -0500

Life consists of a flurry of possible opportunities and experiences. Many chances are only available within a short time frame, and if we do not take advantage of them, they are lost. For example our young years vanish quickly and will never return. Youth is wonderful and so often taken for granted.

Just like youth, the spiritual opportunity for salvation only comes once. We cannot put our spiritual lives on a shelf until we reach the “right age.” It is throughout this life that we build for eternity. The Bible tells us to remember our Creator and what He commands before the silver cord of life is broken (Ecclesiastes 12:6).

Make the most of your time here on earth. We pass this way but once to determine our future. In our physical life, good opportunities come and go and can often be replaced by better ones. In our spiritual lives, there is no replacement—there is only one true opportunity. God invites us to the wedding supper. Whether or not we have excuses, He does not extend the invitation the second time (Matthew 22:2-13).

GN Video Commentary: World 2.0

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 12:55:04 -0500

Information abounds and is transmitted, shared and absorbed instantly by a variety of means. Nothing is secret and information cannot be controlled. All this puts a greater responsibility on you and I, to make sure our words and communication are responsible, true and gracious.

This is the Way: Number One

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 11:54:52 -0500

Bible FAQ: Could Jesus Christ have sinned?

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 11:54:24 -0500

The Bible clearly states that Jesus Christ did not sin. But during His physical life as a man on earth, could He have sinned?

Bible FAQ: What is the "spirit in man"?

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 11:53:57 -0500

Several verses in the Bible talk about a spirit of man that is described much differently from what many religions envision as an immortal soul. What is this spirit in man?

GN Video Commentary: When Walls Come Down

Mon, 9 Nov 2009 13:56:31 -0500

We can tear down the physical walls, but until we allow God to tear down the walls in our hearts, we will not have peace.

Beyond Today Commentary: Stress Mess

Mon, 9 Nov 2009 11:14:00 -0500

God holds the solution to the stresses you face!

Beyond Today Program: The Book Nobody Knows

Mon, 9 Nov 2009 11:13:15 -0500

The Bible is a book nearly everyone owns yet few understand. You need to comprehend this book’s critical message for you

Good New Radio Program: The Truth About Hell

Mon, 9 Nov 2009 11:12:44 -0500

What does the Bible really say about hell?

GN Video Commentary: Hope for Fort Hood

Fri, 6 Nov 2009 17:22:57 -0500

Is there any hope, either for the dead or for the sickness that leads to this type of tragedy?

Vertical Thought Commentary: Just a Little Late--or Not?

Fri, 6 Nov 2009 11:25:25 -0500

When it comes down to it, the songs "You Found Me" and "Alive Again" are about two entirely different Gods—one who is apathetic and incompetent, or one with a carefully crafted plan for mankind who knows what He's doing. Which do you believe in?

Weekly Topic: How should faithful Christians view their trials and suffering?

Thu, 5 Nov 2009 17:05:25 -0500

"Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified" (1 Peter 4:12-14).

"My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing" (James 1:2-4; compare Matthew 5:10-12).

Those who have faith in God's faithfulness are confident they can trust Him to act on their behalf. They know that when He intervenes in their trials to deliver them His intervention will be in their best interest according to His great purpose. They trust in God's wisdom and fairness and are willing to suffer to prove it (1 Peter 4:19).

Peter sums up the attitude of trust that God's Spirit leads them to have: "In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith; the salvation of your souls" (1 Peter 1:6-9).

Europe and the Church, Part 13: And One Is Yet to Come

Thu, 5 Nov 2009 17:05:10 -0500

The book of Revelation shows there is to be one more revival of the Roman Empire immediately prior to Christ's return. Is the European Union the prophesied revival?

An American Thanksgiving

Thu, 5 Nov 2009 17:04:51 -0500

Every year Americans gather on the fourth Thursday of November to give thanks for a land of plenty and a year of blessings. What if Americans truly gave thanks to God for their blessings? Could it make a difference for the future?

How Long Will the NATO Alliance Last?

Thu, 5 Nov 2009 17:04:33 -0500

The 50th anniversary of the NATO alliance in 1999 was a celebration of the successful defense of the free world. Just 10 years later there are signs of serious trouble within the alliance.

A New Superpower? Europe Takes a Big Step Forward!

Thu, 5 Nov 2009 17:03:52 -0500

Newspaper headlines on both sides of the Atlantic heralded the Irish ratification of the Lisbon Treaty. What is the long-term biblical significance?

Commentary: Americans Losing Their Freedoms

Thu, 5 Nov 2009 17:02:59 -0500

America has enjoyed unprecedented freedoms and prosperity, although many people fear we are losing both. Few recognize the real source of those blessings.

Sermon: A Positive Provocation

Thu, 5 Nov 2009 17:02:08 -0500

Listen to the audio/video sermon titled "A Positive Provocation" by Gary Smith.

Sermon Transcript: Where Do You Dwell?

Thu, 5 Nov 2009 17:01:07 -0500

Are your thoughts Jesus Christ's thoughts?

This is the Way: Me First

Thu, 5 Nov 2009 11:02:14 -0500

We have all experienced conversations in which the speaker referred to himself over and over again. “I,” ”me” or “myself” seem to arise in every sentence. Somehow our world has slipped into the error of gratifying self to the point of excess, regardless of what happens in the long run. Greed, avarice and envy abound. We strive to outdo our neighbor and continually amass more. Our companies strive to “maximize profits” with little concern whether we can sustain this lifestyle.

The wisdom of such thinking is ungodly. It comes from another source and is earthly, sensual and demonic (James 3:15-16). Gone are the days when a person shunned indebtedness and greed. Gone are the days when a decent profit was enough. Gone are the days where we were truly concerned about our neighbor. Present are the days of self-indulgence and carelessness. Present are the days of climbing over another in order to get ahead. “Me first” will be the death of the individual who succumbs to its allure. That path leads to destruction and unhappiness.

GN Video Commentary: Afghanistan's Cancelled Elections

Wed, 4 Nov 2009 17:20:28 -0500

Prophecies in the Bible indicate that Islamic fundamentalism isn't going away any time soon, and that the prestige and influence of the English-speaking powers will continue to wane. Events to play out in Afghanistan over the coming weeks, months and years may be key to these developments.

The Religion of Evolution

Wed, 4 Nov 2009 12:22:43 -0500

Evolution does not merely dismiss a Creator. It rejects any spiritual meaning for our existence.

Creation or Evolution: Which Is More Believable?

Wed, 4 Nov 2009 12:22:27 -0500

The theory of evolution is being loudly trumpeted in this 200th anniversary year of Charles Darwin's birth and 150th anniversary of the publication of his On the Origin of Species. But have you read in detail what our Creator has to say about how mankind and the heavens and the earth came into being? Have you considered this crucial testimony?

10 Ways Darwin Got It Wrong

Wed, 4 Nov 2009 12:22:11 -0500

This year marks the bicentennial of Charles Darwin's birthday and, coincidentally, 150 years since the publication of his book On the Origin of Species. One of the most influential books in modern history, it has helped shape philosophy, biology, sociology and religion in the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries. But both Darwin's theory and his book are doomed by major flaws.

How Darwin's Theory Changed the World

Wed, 4 Nov 2009 12:21:56 -0500

A great deal of attention has been given to how Darwin's theory of evolution contradicts the biblical account of creation. But little attention has been paid to how his theory changed the world's thinking in dangerous ways.

How Can You Talk With Your Children About Evolution?

Wed, 4 Nov 2009 12:21:34 -0500

Almost everywhere you turn, your children are being exposed to the "facts" of evolution rather than the flaws in the theory. What can you do to properly educate your kids? They need you to spell out the truth!

A Crucial Factor in Producing Fruit: Eradicate the Weeds of Sin

Wed, 4 Nov 2009 12:21:16 -0500

Victory requires understanding the enemy. In our spiritual warfare, the enemy is us! Raw human nature is like a field taken over by noxious weeds. We must eradicate the weeds and replace them with God's Spirit so we can produce much good fruit!

Who Are You?

Wed, 4 Nov 2009 12:21:00 -0500

Every day we see people trying to discover their personal identity through plastic surgery or facial injections, meaningless sexual liaisons or by buying into the latest fads. How can you be at peace with yourself?

Christmas Before Christ: The Surprising Truth!

Wed, 4 Nov 2009 12:20:31 -0500

If you discovered that Christmas had nothing to do with Jesus Christ's birth and actually predates that event by centuries, would you still celebrate the holiday? And if you realized that the Bible reveals Holy Days commanded by God, would you celebrate them instead?

Bible FAQ: Does the Bible teach predestination?

Tue, 3 Nov 2009 17:01:11 -0500

Did God predetermine every detail of every person's life, including whether he or she would be saved?

Bible FAQ: What does the parable of Lazarus and the rich man mean?

Tue, 3 Nov 2009 17:00:52 -0500

Did Jesus intend the parable of Lazarus and the rich man (Luke 16:19-31) to give us a real-time view of the state of the dead now, either in heaven or an ever-burning hell? How does this parable fit with the teachings of other scriptures about the state of the dead?

GN Video Commentary: Healthcare and Horse

Tue, 3 Nov 2009 13:34:58 -0500

Find your Bible and check out all the details of God's health care program and Jesus Christ's plan to make it universally available to all mankind.

This is the Way: Keep Your Focus on the Target

Tue, 3 Nov 2009 13:34:27 -0500

Hitting the bull’s eye means hitting the center of a target in some endeavor. In order to have success we must see the center circle clearly. Once we perceive the objective, we can shoot for it straight and hard.

We have to focus on the targets in our lives unless we are taking a necessary break for rest. But we must watch out for diversions that take our minds off the main objective. Lot’s wife struggled with distractions that ended in her demise. She looked back at what she was leaving with longing in her eyes rather than forward to a better goal and purpose in life (Genesis 19:26).

We will not hit our target unless we focus our attention fully and clearly on the goal. Life demands that we know the destination and purpose of life. Without such focus, we end up wandering aimlessly and without success. We must learn from Lot’s wife and keep the vision of the future God offers us clear in our minds.

Beyond Today Commentary: The Bible's Challenge to You

Tue, 3 Nov 2009 10:23:35 -0500

How well do you know the Bible and is it really important in your life?

Beyond Today Program: Blind Faith

Tue, 3 Nov 2009 10:23:07 -0500

Although you may have splendid physical vision could you be suffering from spiritual blindness? Is it time for a spiritual eye exam?

Good News Radio Program: Death, Then What?

Tue, 3 Nov 2009 10:20:17 -0500

Is it possible to understand what death really is? What happens when we die?

Vertical Thought Commentary: Are You Ready for Some Football?!

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 12:56:53 -0500

As we watch our football this season, let's keep in mind that it is only a game, but one that teaches us some lessons.

GN Video Commentary - Ho, Ho, Halloween

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 12:18:59 -0500

Why spend so much time, funds and effort celebrating these two terribly expensive holidays when they are based on bad information and manipulation of the masses?

Weekly Topic: Can people make Halloween harmless?

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 14:32:55 -0500

When it comes to Halloween—or any other holiday for that matter—you should ask yourself, "Did God make man in His image, or did God intend man to remake God in man's image?" Now that's a sobering thought.

The religious excuse for perpetuating Halloween might be that, as we've seen, church leaders long ago called it a "holy evening" for all the Catholic saints who had no day assigned to them. But face it: People who celebrate this evening today couldn't care less about such religious notions. All they think about is instant gratification, to follow the pack with everyone else and to have some fun.

The Encyclopedia of Religion goes on to say: "Modern Halloween activities have centered on mischief making and masquerading in costumes, often resembling otherworldly characters. Folk customs, now treated as games [such as bobbing for apples], have continued from the various divination practices of the ancient celebrants of this occasion. Supernatural figures [such as the ghost, the witch, the vampire, the devil] play a key role in supplying an aura of the mysterious to the evening, whether or not they originally had an association with the festival.

"Children are particularly susceptible to the imagery of Halloween, as can be seen in their fascination with the demonic likeness of a carved and illuminated pumpkin, known as the jack-o'-lantern. In recent times, children have taken up the practice of dressing in Halloween costumes and visiting homes in search of edible and monetary treats, lightly threatening to play a trick on the owner if a treat is not produced" (p. 177).

Halloween is one of many human traditions that cloud biblical teachings and keep people in the dark from God's truth that can set us free (John 8:32). It is not a harmless holiday for you or for your children. God warns us to avoid it and to follow His ways, because He hates for us to dabble in the spirit world of Satan and his demons! Instead, as God tells us in Isaiah 66:2, "On this one will I look: on him who is poor and of a contrite spirit, and who trembles at My word."

Commentary: Should Parents Protect Their Children From Halloween?

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 14:32:20 -0500

If you as a parent want God's Word to have the final say on how children should be brought up, why would you allow them to participate in Halloween?

United News - November 2009

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 14:31:47 -0500

The November 2009 issue of the United News is now available.

Sermon: The Two Trees

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 14:30:33 -0500

Listen to the audio/video sermon titled "The Two Trees" by Jim Franks.

Sermon Transcript: The Mind of Christ, the Body of Christ

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 14:29:58 -0500

What is your personal part in the body of Christ? How can you personally contribute to the harmony, the unity of the body of Christ around the world? Each one of us has a part to play and the most important part is to have the mind of Christ.

This is the Way: BOO!

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 12:42:26 -0500

Boo! Ever been scared by an unexpected sound? Are you afraid of the dark? Would you run at the rustle of a leaf? We are all a little nervous at times, and the cause is often traceable to our childhood fantasies. Spooks, goblins, witches and dark moonless nights make Halloween exciting for children—but also provide the foundation for fear.

That which is placed into a mind is what the mind reacts to, and the impact can be great. Think about that the next time you plan to frighten a child at Halloween.