For any instrument to be played, it has to be tuned correctly. When a musical instrument is tuned, it can be played and provides beautiful music. But when it is not tuned correctly, the sounds can be awful and disharmonious. When this happens, it is very hard to listen to music and enjoy it. Ephesians 2:2 holds a mighty truth for us: “…in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience…”  Just like an instrument that is tuned in the right way, so this world is tuned to Satan in the wrong way. It is tuned to his influence, his deceptions, his moods and destructive habits and creations! Notice that it says that we all once walked according to the paths of this world. We all have receptors that are still there; they still are tuned to the god of this world. In Romans 6:6-23, we should note that the “old person” should be buried in that watery grave that was our baptism—in essence, washing away the old person tuned to Satan and his ways which lead […]

Recent history is full of really difficult problems, such as wars, widespread diseases, political and economic upheaval and countless other challenges—both small and great. Right now, we are in the midst of a global pandemic, Coronavirus Covid 19. Although we may never know the actual number of deaths from Covid 19, we do know that worldwide the alleged number is approaching five million. It is also claimed that tens of millions more people have or are suffering from this terrible virus. True Christians are not immune to the ravages of the Covid 19. That fact has become abundantly clear following the Church of God’s observance of the Fall Festivals of God. Many people have been struck with Covid 19—some so severely that they could not at all observe the Feast of Tabernacles and the Last Great Day, while others were prevented from attending some of the services. Infections have not been limited to one particular church group. Reports indicate that individuals in many churches have contracted Covid 19. As Christians, we have been taught to turn to God in times like these and seek His protection and His healing (James 5:14-18). But what do we do after we have been […]

I recall my dad telling me as a young child that there had actually been a day when the BBC announced that there was no news and played music instead. Is no news, fake news? In this case, absolutely not! In April 2017 on the BBC News website, there was this interesting article: “It’s getting harder to remember what a slow news day looked like. But 87 years ago, on 18 April 1930, the BBC’s news announcer had nothing to communicate. ‘There is no news,’ was the script of the 20:45 news bulletin, before piano music was played for the rest of the 15-minute segment. The wireless service then returned to broadcasting from the Queen’s Hall in Langham Place, London, where the Wagner opera Parsifal was being performed.” I had forgotten all about this incredible bit of information that my dad had passed on to me, and although I never doubted his word, I was interested to see that this was part of a question that was asked on a television quiz show. When it came up, I knew the answer and all of the four contestants had no idea at all about this. Can you imagine that ever happening […]

Over the past year and a half, I have been working from home while our offices remain closed because of the restrictions imposed to combat the Covid-19 pandemic. Since I don’t get out of the house very often, it is not uncommon for my attendance at Sabbath services on Saturday to be the only time I leave my property during the course of the week. As a result, the amount of my face-to-face interaction with real, live people tends to be exceedingly limited. Certainly, my experience is different than others who get out of the house more often, but I dare say that most of us are getting less human contact than we normally do. Especially for those who live in areas where lockdowns are in effect. There are several damaging effects stemming from mandatory lockdowns, stay at home orders, and the limitation of human contact. But one of the most notable effects is the impact on our perception of reality. When we are limited in our ability to interact with the real world, the only ways that we can get any insight into what is happening “out there” is through the media that we are able to consume, and […]

We, as God’s people, have been given Ten Commandments as our primary rule of life. The first four tell us how to love God, and the last six tell us how to love our fellow man. Five of these last six are mainly concerned with physical actions, although with some spiritual overtones. When we break most of those, it can be obvious to those who see us. But the last commandment is purely moral or spiritual. If we break that one, it is possible that no one might ever realise that we have broken it, except for God, of course. It is a commandment to control our thoughts, more so than our actions. However, if we break it, it can lead us to break some other commandments as well. It is stated in Deuteronomy 5:21: “You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife; and you shall not desire your neighbor’s house, his field, his male servant, his female servant, his ox, his donkey, or anything that is your neighbour’s.” It is a very simple concept but can be very difficult to fulfill; especially, as it covers every possession of others. And as Jesus defined neighbor in the parable of the good […]

We have heard all these phrases ad infinitum: “Making America Strong Again! Making America Great Again!” Or, by contrast: “America Was Always Great.” Some have claimed the opposite: “America Was Never Great.” And now, recently, “America Is Back,” especially referring to an alleged better relationship with America’s allies. But events in Afghanistan have totally destroyed America’s image in the world and as a reliable great superpower. The Guardian wrote that “The 20-year western mission to Afghanistan collapsed in a single dramatic day.” It spoke of “deeply humiliating scenes for the Biden administration,” and that “a powerful international chorus is decrying the consequences of Biden’s too-hasty retreat,” calling it a “historic strategic blunder.” The Hill remarked that “Team Biden is getting hit from the right, the left and everywhere in between for its miscalculation” regarding the success of the Taliban. The Washington Post asked this question: “Whatever happened to ‘America is back’?,” citing Biden’s foreign policy promise to “rebuild alliances and restore U.S. prestige,” adding: “How can you say America is back when we’re being defeated by an insurgency armed with no more than [rocket-propelled grenades], land mines and AK-47s?” Breitbart wrote that “U.S. allies are fuming at President Joe Biden’s […]

The challenge of knowing when to keep silent and when to speak is something that we are faced with quite often.  Various situations may call upon our actions when we may need to stand up for what is right.  But this is a big challenge because oftentimes, we speak more than we ought to, depending on the circumstance. There is one supreme example that we should emulate who was the Master at when to speak and when to keep silent, especially when He was being accused and also put to the test constantly by those around Him. Christ always needed to remain vigilant as people attempted to set Him up, but He always found the “correct” way to respond.  In Matthew 27, Jesus was arrested and stood in front of the governor Pontius Pilate, and the governor asked Him in verse 11, “‘Are You the King of the Jews?’ So Jesus said to him, ‘It is as you say.’ And while He was being accused by the chief priests and elders, He answered nothing.” Continuing in verses 13-14: “Then Pilate said to Him, ‘Do You not hear how many things they testify against You?’ And He answered him not one word, so that the governor marveled […]

Many years ago, the former Worldwide Church of God (now defunct) printed a booklet, called, “The Modern Romans,” showing why Rome fell and drawing parallels with America at the time. Some of the issues raised in the booklet were these: “What Roman Jeremiah could have prophesied [was] the ravages of wars, taxation, mounting crime, race problems, moral decay, subversion from within, political assassinations and public apathy – not to exclude natural disasters.” Today, it is much worse, and a comparison with ancient Sodom would definitely be appropriate. Notice how bad things were in Sodom. Genesis 19:4-5 states:  “Now before they lay down, the men of the city, the men of Sodom, both old and young, all the people from every quarter, surrounded the house. And they called to Lot and said to him, ‘Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us that we may know them carnally.’” They wanted to sexually use and abuse Lot’s guests, not realizing that they were angels. Some of the parallels with Sodom are striking, but there is much more. It is claimed that the United States is the world hub for pornography, both in production and in distribution, […]

We tell people we love them—especially those to whom we are closest. Husbands and wives, parents and children, relatives and friends are people we may openly say this to, “I love you.” What about God—have you said to God, “I love You”? Of course, just saying the words might not be enough, but, like in human relationships, telling someone that we love them can really mean a lot. As much as encouraging another person about our commitment to them, we also strengthen our own resolve, and we show that we aren’t taking our relationship for granted. Popular religious parlance often involves those who claim that they “love the Lord,” but those may be empty declarations without proof. Proof of our love for God is shown when we “keep His commandments” (1 John 5:3). Only when we walk in the truth of God will we then be able to obey what Jesus described as “‘the first and great commandment’”: “‘“You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind”’” (Matthew 22:37). Imagine being asked by Jesus if you love Him! Peter was—three times in a row! (John 21:15-19). The Bible shows […]

We have just finished the annual ministerial Church Conference with great success and unity. We discussed many things, and we will continue collectively in doing the Work and feeding the Flock. And I want to thank everyone for their prayers in regard to the conference and its success. It may be challenging at times to look at the size of our respective groups and feel discouraged or frustrated by the apparent lack of members. But something that I take courage and strength in is the fact that within the ministry, we are of like mind, and we uphold each other. At the end of the day, we are each, in our ways, helping to support, maintain and participate in building the Church, as God shows us and opens the doors for us, including how to preach the Gospel as a witness to this world (Amos 3:3). There cannot be dissension and confusion (James 3:16). When we study the Bible, it is easy to see that, for the most part, the true people of God, in regard to churches, have not been large. Christ speaks about the little flock (Luke 12:32). He isn’t mentioning large swelling churches here, but rather a […]