The Good News: The Story Behind the Magazine

From http://el-paso.ucg.org/ or call 1-888-886-8632.

The Good News: The Story Behind the Magazine

article by Good News Editor





With this edition, The Good News has reached a special milestone - our 100th issue!







The 100th issue of the Good News magazine.When we first started this magazine 17 years ago in the autumn of 1995, we didn't know what the future would hold—especially since we were committed to offering it free to any who requested it. But we've held firm to that commitment, and today The Good News goes to more than 400,000 subscribers.



Drawing on writers from around the globe, The Good News is published in English, Spanish, German, French, Italian and Portuguese andis mailed to 189 of the 196 recognized countries of the world.



But who is behind the magazine? What is its purpose? What is it all about?



A magazine built on a message

When Jesus Christ began His ministry, He "came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, 'the time is fulfilled, the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel'" (Mark 1:14-15 [14] Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God,

[15] And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.





See All...). That same message clarifies what The Good News stands for in a world filled with a bewildering variety of religious beliefs, customs and opinions.



Many people ask hard questions: What is the ultimate purpose for human life? Why does so much evil plague the world? Why doesn't God put a stop to violence and war? Will He ever bring about long-lasting peace, and how?



The world desperately needs answers to these and other important questions.



Do answers exist? Yes. The message Christ brought—the gospel of the Kingdom of God—provides the answers and solutions that few have heard or understood. And this is the message of The Good News —a message desperately needed in a world of wars and disagreements that continue to escalate just as Jesus foretold.



Religion as a whole has failed to provide solutions to mankind's dilemmas. Part of our mission is to fill that gap, to make available hope and solutions that faithfully and accurately reflect the teachings of the Bible.



We see from Scripture that the collective mission Christ has given His true followers is twofold. First, it is to proclaim the gospel of the Kingdom of God throughout the world (Matthew 24:14And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.



See All...). Second, it is to teach people the truth Jesus Christ brought that they may become His followers—His disciples—as they learn that truth.



Scripture is clear that, just as Jesus commissioned His apostles to share the gospel—the good news—of the coming Kingdom to be established on earth at His return, so has He commissioned His followers today to continue that mission. The United Church of God, publisher of The Good News, takes very seriously that responsibility of proclaiming to today's world the same gospel Jesus preached.



Using today's tools to teach the truth

To carry out Christ's commission to proclaim the gospel message, we utilize many tools.



Most prominent is what you hold in your hands— The Good News magazine, published six times a year and mailed to hundreds of thousands of subscribers. The magazine is sent free of charge, anywhere in the world, to anyone who requests it.



While The Good News is devoted to covering key news events and trends, it is a news magazine with a difference. It covers the news from a much different perspective —that of the Bible, God's Word—affording insight and understanding you won't find in other publications.



Our articles are written from an all-important biblical perspective on a variety of subjects—prophecy, marriage and the family, Christian living, history, science, lives of individuals mentioned in the Bible, scriptural teachings and analysis of societal and world trends.



The scriptural understanding of God's purpose and plan for mankind, and His working out of that plan on earth, gives us the edge in explaining why our world faces the many problems that threaten our peace and safety. When we understand why certain events take place, and why people think and act as they do, it's much easier to see where we are going and what lies ahead.



Speaking of conditions before His return, Jesus Christ said our planet will experience "a time of great distress, such as there has never been before since the beginning of the world, and will never be again" (Matthew 24:21For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.



See All..., Revised English Bible).



So while we proclaim the good news of the imminent return of Jesus of Nazareth, at the same time we often report on the negative consequences of human behavior leading to the very conditions He described.



Following Jesus' example, part of our purpose is to highlight the lessons mankind is writing in its self-centered way of living and to warn of where this way is leading. But more than that, our intention is to illustrate the need for an alternative way of life—the godly way of life Jesus revealed and personified.



Beyond the bad news, we present this way of living that would eliminate all of mankind's problems. We also explain from Scripture that under the coming rule of Jesus Christ, God's way will become universal—and humanity will at last know true and lasting peace.



The world of today is indeed filled with bad news. Yet the future holds incredible promise—Christ's return to establish the Kingdom of God (Daniel 7:13-14 [13] I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him.

[14] And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.





See All...), ushering in a wonderful world of peace, prosperity and plenty during which all people will at last learn to live God's way of life. This truly is good news!



More tools for understanding

We also produce a sister magazine, Vertical Thought , which is geared for teens and college-age readers. Published quarterly, this magazinefeatures articles to help young people deal with the pressures and pitfalls of their world with a God-centered approach. Its associated website, VerticalThought.org, includes a question-and-answer section in which young people can receive personal answers by e-mail from ministers and others trained and experienced in working with youth.



We also offer dozens of booklets, also free, that cover a wide variety of biblical topics in greater detail. Interested readers may request any of them from our regional offices around the world or from our website, ucg.org/booklets .



Another valuable tool for learning about what the Bible teaches is our 12-lesson Bible Study Course , which covers the major themes and teachings of Scripture.



A weekly television program, Beyond Today , airs in cities across the United States and several other countries. Featuring several hosts who regularly write for The Good News, the program covers topics like those found in themagazine, though at times in greater depth. (For schedule information or to watch programs online, visit www.BeyondToday.tv .)



Recognizing that people increasingly seek information on the Internet, we also make extensive use of this important tool to reach an even wider audience.



Since many people have questions about the Bible and how to best apply it to everyday life, we have a letter-answering staff available to reply to questions from anyone. These can be sent through postal mail to any of our regional offices or by e-mail to info@ucg.org .



We also offer other publications exclusively on the Internet. For instance, Virtual Christian Magazine , an e-magazine (electronic magazine), offers a variety of biblically based articles 10 times a year. You can find it at VCMagazine.org



"Equipping the saints"

The publishers of The Good News diligently strive to implement the biblical mandate for "equipping the saints"—that is, preparing members of the "body of Christ" to fulfill their calling as God's servants now and as His eternal family in the coming Kingdom of God (Ephesians 4:12For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:



See All...).



Today, the United Church of God, an International Association, is striving to practice "the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints" (Jude 3). To accomplish this we have committed ourselves to living, as Jesus taught, "by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God" (Matthew 4:4But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.



See All...).



We strive to live by the same divine instruction that Jesus, His apostles and the early Church followed, very aware that this sharply distinguishes us from most of what is today called Christianity, which no longer follows the Church described in the book of Acts as its model.



Like the members of that early Church, we remain fully committed to proclaiming the message of the coming Kingdom of God and Christ's pivotal role in it. Likewise, we remain fully committed to preparing a people to serve as Christ's helpers in that Kingdom.



We sincerely encourage you to examine in much greater detail the message Jesus taught. If you are interested, be sure to request our free booklets The Gospel of the Kingdom and What Is Your Destiny? They are available through our office nearest you or our online literature library at GNmagazine.org/booklets.



One of the key charges Jesus gave was "Feed My sheep" (John 21:17He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.



See All...). He has given His Church additional shepherds—a human ministry—to guide, feed and encourage the growth of those God calls into the Body of Christ. As we see from Paul's instructions to Titus and Timothy, God appoints ministers based on criteria vital to the well-being of the other members of the Church.



Jesus Himself, explained the apostle Paul, "gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ" (Ephesians 4:11-13 [11] And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

[12] For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

[13] Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:





See All..., New International Version).



The Church Jesus built is commissioned not only to feed His sheep, as He commanded, but to prepare these followers for greater works of service to God, their families, their communities and their fellow man. Jesus placed great emphasis on serving others (Matthew 20:26-28 [26] But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister;

[27] And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant:

[28] Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.





See All...).



For these reasons the United Church of God, though smaller in numbers than many of the world's church organizations, strives to establish congregations around the world in which God's people can assemble and receive guidance in godly living and service. These congregations are served by ordained pastors trained to accurately teach and explain the Scriptures and to counsel those who request personal guidance. These pastors are often assisted by other dedicated men and women in helping congregations reach their full potential in serving others—as opportunity, need and resources permit.



Our congregations meet in various cities around the world. Regional offices in the Americas, Europe, Africa, Asia and the South Pacific serve members and support Church operations in their respective areas. They are also responsible for distributing the Church's publications and handling other requests and inquiries within their particular regions.



A home-office facility near Cincinnati, Ohio, serves as a support hub for operations in the United States and all the associated worldwide operations of the Church. From this location a dedicated staff supports the Church's daily operations in carrying out its mission throughout the world.

.

How Can You Understand the Rapidly Changing World Scene?

From http://el-paso.ucg.org/ or call 1-888-886-8632.

How Can You Understand the Rapidly Changing World Scene?






article by John Ross Schroeder, Scott Ashley





The staff that produces The Good News magazine obviously plays no role in determining either Israeli or American foreign policy. We have no crystal ball to foresee day-to-day or month-to-month occurrences. What we do bring to our readers is basic prophetic insight, based on the Bible, making assessment of significant global events and trends much easier.



We are well aware that today's news indicates that our world may be on the edge of economic and political chaos. Earlier this year, an article in Fortune magazine on a different subject stated: "Too much is happening in the world. Politically, economically, and culturally momentous news is occurring on every continent seemingly every day, and it's overwhelming for the hapless citizen striving to stay on top of it all" (Geoff Colvin, "A World in Chaos? That May Be a Good Thing," Jan. 23, 2012).



An important role of The Good News is to help readers separate the wheat from the chaff in implementing Jesus Christ's instructions of Luke 21:36Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.



See All...: "Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man." This is part of the end-time prophecy Christ gave on the Mount of Olives outside Jerusalem. It summarizes the traumatic events that will take place prior to His second coming.



Between one fourth and one third of the Bible is prophecy. If we choose to ignore or seriously neglect such an extensive portion of God's Word, we are depriving ourselves of crucial understanding of our modern world. After all, the prophet Amos did tell us, "Surely the Lord God does nothing, unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets" (Amos 3:7Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.



See All...).



Today we have the prophets and Christ's apostles as well as the prophetic sayings of Christ Himself in the Gospel accounts. The apostle Peter wanted Christians to "be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandments of us the apostles of the Lord and Savior" (2 Peter 3:2That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour:



See All..., emphasis added). Portions of the apostolic writings were prophetic, including of course the book of Revelation.



For many years The Good News has been analyzing and explaining the changing world scene in the light of Bible prophecy, focusing in particular on three major prophesied trends—ongoing unrest in the Middle East setting the stage for a final devastating war, the rise of a new superpower centered in Europe, and the moral, spiritual, economic and geopolitical decline of the United States and the major English-speaking nations.



It's no coincidence that all three regularly dominate our headlines. All were long ago foretold as key developments reshaping our world before the return of Jesus Christ as King of Kings and Lord of Lords to usher in the coming Kingdom of God—another key message regularly emphasized in the pages of The Good News.

.

Entering in the Middle of the Movie

From http://el-paso.ucg.org/ or call 1-888-886-8632.

Entering in the Middle of the Movie

article by Arthur Suckling





I love movies. Ever since I can remember from the first time I watched a movie I was fascinated.



I love movies. Ever since I can remember from the first time I watched a movie I was fascinated. One of the first movies I can remember was one named The Flame and the Arrow. We kids got into the movie for one penny. We sat in the “gods” section of the theater, which was high up and alongside the screen at a 90-degree angle. After the movie, and on our way home we could buy one penny’s worth of chips from the local fish-and-chip shop.



Now, that tells you I’m not a teenager! We lived in a safe society where everyone knew everyone else, and the local owner of the fish-and-chip shop knew who we kids were. We were local kids from poor families who had little, and he kindly kept the price of a small bag of chips below market value when the price of potatoes went up. He knew we had only one penny.



Shortly after World War II ceased, money became a little more available, and we would go down to the “Flea Pit.” That was our name for the movie theatre that was old and run down. We could go in and out whether the movie had started or not. I clearly remember one time entering half way through the movie and had to sit over until it started again to see the beginning.



There are disadvantages to this approach! You don’t know the plot or the people who may be the “goodies” or the “baddies.” You don’t know what they had done. You have no idea of who’s who or what’s what, and this isn’t a good place to be for clarity or understanding about what’s going on in the story line.



An old professor once taught me that you can’t understand the New Testament (NT) until you understand the Old Testament (OT). Some decades went by before I fully comprehended the importance of his point.



I would like to explore this idea of having an understanding about a topic that begins at a specific time in history—in the middle of the movie, so to speak—that gives us an incomplete picture of that topic. To illustrate the point, I will explore the biblical concept of the word “love.”



There is one excellent example in the NT that I believe will clarify this whole concept and approach. That is the discussion between the scribe and Jesus about the greatest commandment of all. There are three renderings of this episode in the gospels (Matthew 22, Mark 12 and Luke 10). I recommend a review of all three to obtain a synoptic or general overview.



Remember: The Gospels were written in the first century A.D. The entire cultural fabric of the early NT Church was “Jewish.” Its understanding of God’s way of life was Torah-based, i.e. based in the teachings and instructions of the Lord.



Now let us look at the example in Mark and the conversation between one scribe and Jesus. Briefly speaking, a scribe posed a trick question to Jesus: “What commandment is the foremost of all?” (Mark 12:28And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that he had answered them well, asked him, Which is the first commandment of all?



See All..., NASB). Obviously, there were numerous commandments contained in the “Torah,” as well as many man-made rules in addition. This question was designed to place Jesus in the position of making a judgment that would create a discussion with foreseeable, negative consequences.



Jesus answered by citing, “The first of all commandments is to ‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord [YHWH] our God is one’” (verse 29). This was followed with the two great principles of: love God, and love neighbor (verses 30-31). The scribe’s answer in verses 32-33 was said to be a wise answer by Jesus.



By only reading the account in the NT we are “entering into the middle of the movie,” so to speak. Why? Because we’ve got to understand the religious context of what “love” meant to that scribe and those reading this account in the first century. And that requires reading the original statements and their context in the OT. As mentioned before, the NT was not yet written when the scribe confronted Jesus with his question.



Going back to the original sources in the OT gives us the full background and understanding to this summary statement in the NT, which is about love. So what did love mean to the Hebrews?



Love Your Neighbor

We find the “love your neighbor” phrase in Leviticus 19:18Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD.



See All.... The time was soon after the Exodus of Israel from Egypt. God is concrete in His instructions as to how we love our neighbor. It is based in our behavior. A full reading of this chapter reveals that in verses 9-18, God gives us many specific, concrete, objective behaviors that each reflects love for our neighbor.



When we read all of these verses in context (9-18), loving our neighbor really does come down to what we do to each other and how we treat each other. It is a summary statement just as Jesus used it. And it’s based on action. These actions determine our care for our fellow man.



Historically it is clear that Israel did not demonstrate the behaviors that led them to love their neighbor. In short, they were rebellious and stubborn and tempted God 10 times, finally refusing to go into the Promised Land (Numbers 14:22-29 [22] Because all those men which have seen my glory, and my miracles, which I did in Egypt and in the wilderness, and have tempted me now these ten times, and have not hearkened to my voice;

[23] Surely they shall not see the land which I sware unto their fathers, neither shall any of them that provoked me see it:

[24] But my servant Caleb, because he had another spirit with him, and hath followed me fully, him will I bring into the land whereinto he went; and his seed shall possess it.

[25] (Now the Amalekites and the Canaanites dwelt in the valley.) Tomorrow turn you, and get you into the wilderness by the way of the Red sea.

[26] And the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying,

[27] How long shall I bear with this evil congregation, which murmur against me? I have heard the murmurings of the children of Israel, which they murmur against me.

[28] Say unto them, As truly as I live, saith the LORD, as ye have spoken in mine ears, so will I do to you:

[29] Your carcases shall fall in this wilderness; and all that were numbered of you, according to your whole number, from twenty years old and upward, which have murmured against me,





See All...). They simply did not trust and obey the Lord God! So He allowed them to wander for 40 years in the wilderness and die off, preventing them from entering the Promised Land.



Love God

The next example, to love God, was the first of the two “love commands.” We find this in Deuteronomy 6 in the famous Shema. Before we discuss this, it is important to know that Deuteronomy was written about 40 years after the “love your neighbor” principle in the Book of Leviticus, which is why I discussed that first. Only two individuals survived the wilderness wanderings, Joshua and Caleb (see Numbers 14).



Further, the title Deuteronomy means “second law,” meaning a repetition of the law. Moses wrote this to the people just prior to them entering the Promised Land. The first nine verses of chapter six places the responsibility on Israel to hear, shema, which also by default means to obey. But obey what? God’s statutes, commandments and judgments (verses 1-2). The responsibility to teach loving the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and might to the nation and individually to your entire family in daily living is given and summarized a little later with, “Man shall not live by bread alone: but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the Lord” (Deuteronomy 8:3And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live.



See All...).



The scribe understood all this background and context in the conversation with Jesus. In turn, Jesus concluded with an incredible response saying, “You are nor far from the Kingdom of God” (Mark 12:34And when Jesus saw that he answered discreetly, he said unto him, Thou art not far from the kingdom of God. And no man after that durst ask him any question.



See All...).



This remarkable statement by Jesus indicates in the light of the two principles in Leviticus 19 and Deuteronomy 6 what our actions, our behavior and our deeds should be in order to demonstrate love! It is not our emotions!



This is an astounding truth. We have been inundated with the notion from every conceivable source of entertainment and literature that love is an emotion! This is because we enter in the middle of the movie! Where did we get that idea, when Scripture clearly says love is action, or behaviorally based?



The idea of emotion being love comes from ancient Greek thought and philosophy. By accepting this, we enter into the movie in the middle, and that voids the original biblical understanding of love. Why? Because we have been taught that love is viewed from an emotional basis only. The inheritance we have from the Greek language places love solely in the emotional domain. Note the three Greek words used to describe love as emotion. Philia, brotherly love, Éros, erotic love and Agápe, godly or committed love.



These are all emotionally based.



The Greek culture taught that emotion is sought first and after that comes commitment. This love is seen and demonstrated by attraction, feelings and emotion and not necessarily in behavior. The need to sustain emotion was necessary or the relationship failed. When emotions change in a relationship due to behavior, emotion can quickly turn into hate, which is the other side of the emotional “coin”!



To comprehend this, consider the horrible high divorce rate in the Western world today.



At this point, it is critical to understand that the Hebrew perspective of love is based in behavior and obedience, not in emotion. The Hebrew verb ahab or love is based in the idea of preferring or choosing. This is not an emotional concept. Jesus said, “If you love [ ahab ] Me, [you will] keep my commandments” (John 14:15If ye love me, keep my commandments.



See All...). Reworded, “If you prefer (love) or have chosen (love) Me you will do what I say.” Obedient, objective behavior as described in God’s laws is necessary in order to demonstrate godly love in our lives.



The Hebrew concept of love is entirely the opposite to the Greek concept in which emotion comes first then commitment. The Hebrew thinking is that emotion is the outcome or result of behavior.



Loving God and one’s neighbor are actions based in behavior and deeds. Obeying Godly principles of behavior in our relationships are the motivators that stimulate emotions and commitment. These feelings and passions are the outcomes of our good actions. Viewed from a verb perspective, our actions speak louder than words.



The emotions of caring come from doing what God determines is good and right objectively. There is no difference or discrimination in living God’s way in its application to others, whoever they are! The story of the good Samaritan demonstrates this clearly. The Samaritan, despised by the Jews because of his ethnic background, helped a man beaten and stripped of his clothes by thieves. Two “good religious men,” a Levite and a priest, passed by, doing nothing. The despised Samaritan had compassion and mercy—emotions that emanated from behavior and helping the victim.



If we view things from the middle of the movie by only basing our understanding on our inherited Western thought, the result is that we sever the teaching of the Old Testament from the shortened statements recorded between Jesus and the scribe. When we read the Greek meanings of the word “love” in English, we are two full steps away from the original intent of the Hebrew concept of love, which is preferring and choosing God’s ways.



When I think back to, “You can’t understand the New Testament without understanding the Old,” I think the old professor was right. We must go back to the original Hebrew definitions from the beginning about love to truly understand loving our God and our neighbor. Only then can we place the conversation between Jesus and the scribe in its full historic and cultural context to comprehend what it means to be “not far from the Kingdom of God.”

.

God Makes Sense

From http://el-paso.ucg.org/ or call 1-888-886-8632.



God Makes Sense


by Amanda Boyer




God Makes Sense



Source: Photos.com"If there is not a God, nothing makes sense—not even chance." In our first of the Fundamental Theology module classes at the Ambassador Bible Center, Dr. Ward gave these words of wisdom.



The Bible says in Isaiah 45:18For thus saith the LORD that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited: I am the LORD; and there is none else.



See All...: "For this is what the Lord says—he who created the heavens, he is God; he who fashioned and made the earth, he founded it; he did not create it to be empty, but formed it to be inhabited—he says: 'I am the Lord, and there is no other'" (NIV).



When we look around at God’s creation, there is no doubt that a higher being has fashioned the universe. Mankind has even proven God’s Word true in our discovery and understanding of Earth’s placement in the solar system. For example, if the Earth was any closer to the sun, glaciers would melt, the oceans temperature would increase and evaporation would amplify. Inversely, if the Earth were any further away from the sun, our planet would be covered with ice and the carbon dioxide in the air would dissolve. Earth would be uninhabitable.



But knowing God is the Creator and Sustainer of life just isn’t enough, because our existence is not by chance! God is a personal and purposeful being. He is our Creator, and we were made to have a relationship with Him, as well as a purposeful life. Without God, our lives are empty. We need Him to have any true sense in our lives.



Growing in faith of God begins in believing in His existence—but it doesn’t end there. Hebrews 11:6But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.



See All... says, "But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him." So take the challenge of diligently seeking God and see the reward of sense in your life.







--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Hidden Danger of Big Government

From http://el-paso.ucg.org/ or call 1-888-886-8632.

The Hidden Danger of Big Government

A commentary by Don Hooser

Posted July 24, 2008





Why do governments become inflated with regulations?



he cover story of the April 21, 2008, issue of U.S. News & World Report was "The Return of Big Government."



It's prediction: "More taxes. More regulation. More spending"—regardless of who is elected as America's next president.



The U.S. Federal Register—which records new and existing federal regulations—contains over 75,000 pages! Compare this to the Christian Bible. It contains virtually all the laws that governed ancient Israel. Yet, by comparison, it is a tiny book!



Why do governments become inflated with regulations?



For one thing, governments seem to expand as the moral character of their people declines. When the character of a people declines, so does the character of elected leaders. True statesmen are gradually outnumbered by career politicians focused mostly on public prestige.



Also, when increased percentages of ordinary people are not willing to voluntarily live by the laws of the land, more laws are made to plug legal loopholes and control criminal activity. Each new law requires additional funding for its enforcement. Such measures deal with the effects instead of the underlying causes of citizen irresponsibility.



In the eighteenth century Alexander Tyler, a Scottish history professor, wrote: "A democracy is always temporary in nature ... A democracy will continue to exist until the time that voters discover they can vote themselves generous gifts from the public treasury. From that moment on, the majority always vote for the candidates who promise the most benefits from the public treasury, with the result that every democracy will finally collapse due to loose fiscal policy, which is always followed by a dictatorship."



He went on to say that nations generally progress in the following manner: "From bondage to spiritual faith. From spiritual faith to great courage. From courage to liberty. From liberty to abundance. From abundance to complacency. From complacency to apathy. From apathy to dependence. From dependence back into bondage."



The three primary causes, according to historians, for the fall of the mighty Roman Empire were its decline in morality, its weakened economy and its unmanageable influx of foreigners who simply crossed its borders without permission. Much can be learned from the decline and disintegration of that empire.



One of America's great strengths has been that its government is a republic, not a pure democracy. A republic is governed first and foremost by its constitution. The U.S. constitution was crafted to reflect, in large part, many biblical principles that were acceptable to a majority of Americans at that time. But many of its political leaders now seem to be pushing the U.S. toward a pure democracy with no biblical roots.



The history of pure democracies is that they destroy themselves. Each citizen is tempted to vote for candidates or legislation that would seem to help him in the short run rather than for what is best for the country in the long run. Short term political goals lead to more taxes, more regulation, less liberty and a weaker economy. Printing money then becomes the alternative to raising taxes, resulting in more inflation and a devaluation of the nation's currency.



Today, the U.S. is bleeding to death financially. Costs from acting as the world's policeman have become astronomical. Welfare programs cost even more. And the nation's economy is propped up by loans and investments from other countries.



As a result, respect for and confidence in America is plummeting. Its economic leadership also is declining. This could lead to financial and military vulnerability simply because "The borrower is servant to the lender" (Proverbs 22:7The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.



See All...).



President Ronald Reagan, at a prayer breakfast in 1984, said: "And without God, democracy will not and cannot long endure. If we ever forget that we're one nation under God, then we will be a nation gone under."



Deuteronomy 28 lists blessings that God is willing to bestow on a people when they obey His laws. But it also lists disasters that will befall them if they persistently disobey those laws. Notice this financial warning for such disobedience: "The alien who is among you ... shall lend to you, but you shall not lend to him; he shall be the head, and you shall be the tail" (Deuteronomy 28:43-44 [43] The stranger that is within thee shall get up above thee very high; and thou shalt come down very low.

[44] He shall lend to thee, and thou shalt not lend to him: he shall be the head, and thou shalt be the tail.





See All...).

.

Where Is Jeremiah When You Need Him?

From http://el-paso.ucg.org/ or call 1-888-886-8632.


Where Is Jeremiah When You Need Him?


A commentary by Darris McNeely

Posted January 25, 2007





The United States needs a speech like that given by the prophet Jeremiah when he stood in the capital city of ancient Judah.



The reviews are in from President George Bush's State of the Union address this week and, as expected, there is a great deal of second guessing and criticism of the war policy in Iraq. That is the nature of politics and a free society. But behind the partisan discussion are larger issues impacting the future course of America and the world.



America has engaged itself in a war in Afghanistan and Iraq. These engagements followed the 9/11 attacks where three thousand Americans lost their lives and the nation was stunned by the reality of the forces of evil arrayed around the world to work against the current world order. Osama bin Laden and the Islamic jihadists have been the face of the enemy these last six years. Terrorist attacks have hit Britain, Spain, Bali and other smaller places during this time, just enough to remind us they are out there and have not gone away.



I have long felt that President Bush had a wake-up call on 9/11 that galvanized his life into one purpose, to protect America from future attacks and to "preserve, protect and defend" his country and all it stands for. You can criticize his policies, his management of the war, his focus, his personality...anything you want about the man and his politics. I am not defending him from any partisan agenda. I just strongly feel that on 9/11 he looked into the abyss and clearly saw the danger to his nation.



I also see that other top leaders here in the United States do not have the same vision and urgency for the grave physical dangers we face. History is repeating itself. Like the 1930s in England, we have voices calling for appeasement and moderation. There is the hope that we can pull within a "fortress America" and disengage from the world and go about our business and return to normal. Let's just all go to Disney World and pretend.



But the U.S. president has not seen far enough. The larger danger facing America is spiritual in nature and can be found in Bible prophecy. America, a nation blessed with wealth and power by the hand of God, has forgotten Him and all He has given. We have trampled His laws and have come to the point where we fight over the public display of the Ten Commandments. The Fourth Commandment, to honor the Sabbath, cannot be found in our materialistic, pleasure-driven culture. Americans have not only forgotten the true God, but we have forgotten who we are as a people and why we occupy a preeminent position in the world.



We look to our exceptionalism, our military power and our economic vitality for trust, confidence and security. We pay lip service to a form of religion, thinking that will be enough to save us, while we tolerate immorality and indecency and export it to the world. The latest Sundance Film Festival in Utah honors films portraying sexual child abuse and bestiality. This so-called "art" is excused in the name of honesty and realism. It is part of our national sins that God will one day call us to account over.



The United States needs a speech like that given by the prophet Jeremiah when he stood in the capital city of ancient Judah, in front of their national symbol—the temple—and spoke clearly to the spiritual state of the people and the state. Here is what he said:



"The word that came to Jeremiah from the L ORD , saying, 'Stand in the gate of the L ORD 's house, and proclaim there this word, and say, "Hear the word of the L ORD , all you of Judah who enter in at these gates to worship the L ORD !"' Thus says the L ORD of hosts, the God of Israel: 'Amend your ways and your doings, and I will cause you to dwell in this place. Do not trust in these lying words, saying, "The temple of the L ORD , the temple of the L ORD , the temple of the L ORD are these"'" (Jeremiah 7:1-4 [1] The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying,

[2] Stand in the gate of the LORD's house, and proclaim there this word, and say, Hear the word of the LORD, all ye of Judah, that enter in at these gates to worship the LORD.

[3] Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, Amend your ways and your doings, and I will cause you to dwell in this place.

[4] Trust ye not in lying words, saying, The temple of the LORD, The temple of the LORD, The temple of the LORD, are these.





See All...).



Jeremiah goes on to list their national sins, saying God had often sent warnings to repent and return to the true ways, but they insisted in adopting false religion and slipping further into sin. He warns the result will be a national captivity:



"Therefore thus says the Lord G OD : 'Behold, My anger and My fury will be poured out on this place—on man and on beast, on the trees of the field and on the fruit of the ground. And it will burn and not be quenched'" (verse 20).



Words like this need to be said. But they aren't.



Keep watching.

.

Snake Bit on Wall Street

From http://el-paso.ucg.org/ or call 1-888-886-8632.

Snake Bit on Wall Street


Thursday, November 17, 2011

The Occupy Wall Street movement gets a second life today. But what's it all about?







Media Download Options [ Download Media: right-click on link ]

Audio

MP3 Audio







[Darris McNeely] If you’ve been confused about the Occupy Wall Street Movement, so have I and so have a lot of other people. It reminds of being snake bit—seeing all of these protests across the United States and other world capitals against the world economic financial condition.



[Steve Myers] Well, it certainly reminds you of how do we fix our problems? You know, people come up with all kinds of solutions and the latest one is protesting and violence in many cases. So, is that what solves our problems? Is that really where it’s at?



[Darris McNeely] Well, you know, Steve, they drove them out of Zuccotti Park in New York earlier this week and today they’re threatening to come back in by the tens of thousands and maybe getting a second life it seems with this protest movement. And, again, are they…There’s even confusion about the goals that they have and what they actually want to do…some want to bring down the whole economic system, whole system of capitalism.



[Steve Myers] It’s interesting, some of the goals, are they good? Some of the things I’ve heard, yeah. Is man's system working in some ways? Yeah.



[Darris McNeely] There are problems.



[Steve Myers] But in other ways there are problems.



[Darris McNeely] And we know now this has come three years after the near collapse of Wall Street and the entire American and world financial system that has been tried to be put back on track, yet there has been recessions that have kept it from really operating and coming back with all engines operating. And we’re still in the middle of a mess and that seems to be fueling this. This seems to be a symptom of larger problems.



[Steve Myers] Boy, is it ever. Absolutely.



[Darris McNeely] It reminds me of the story you told in a Beyond Today program recently that we did of the canary in the coal mine that starts to sing when the gases get a little bit too high. This is a symptom of something bigger. That, um, just won’t go away.



[Steve Myers] And where do you look? Are we looking to Wall Street to solve our problems or do you take down Wall Street so we can solve our problems. Or is there a different place that we need to look?



[Darris McNeely] Well, the problem is in leadership. The problem is in some workable solutions. It reminds me of a scripture in the book of Amos, where the prophet Amos talks about conditions at the time of the end. People are told there that they will flee from a lion, and run into a bear. They will run into a house and put their hand against a wall and get bit by a snake (Amos 5:18-20 [18] Woe unto you that desire the day of the LORD! to what end is it for you? the day of the LORD is darkness, and not light.

[19] As if a man did flee from a lion, and a bear met him; or went into the house, and leaned his hand on the wall, and a serpent bit him.

[20] Shall not the day of the LORD be darkness, and not light? even very dark, and no brightness in it?





See All...). Everywhere they turn, they don’t find solutions, they find bigger problems.



[Steve Myers] That’s right



[Darris McNeely] And I think that’s where we are right now.



[Steve Myers] Are we solving our own problems? I think that scripture points it out. As long as we keep looking to ourselves we’re going to be snake bit. We’re going to run into a bear. We’re going to run into a lion. So are we looking to God for the solution? Proverbs says that we look to God. He knows how to direct our steps (Proverbs 3:5-8 [5] Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

[6] In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

[7] Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.

[8] It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.





See All...).



[Darris McNeely] That’s BT Daily. Join us next time.

.