March 15, 2005

FORTY-SIX YEARS (Anniversary)

Today (March 7, 2005), marks the 46th year of the editor’s marriage to Barbara. These years have all been good years with lots of good times and happy days, yet there have been occasions of unhappiness (death of loved ones – serious sicknesses – lack of dedication to God of some – and other problems), yet if we had it to do over again, we would! There are reasons for our happiness in spite of the problems of living that are common to everyone, our undiminished faith in God to carry us through because we are faithful and our untiring desire to go to heaven someday has aided us in staying the course, as the apostle Paul says,

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing” (NKJV) - 2 Tim 4:7-8.

PROPHETS (with miraculous powers today)?

KENNETH COPELAND:

“Copeland’s Prophecy Fails” by Bill Dillon

(Christian News 5/24/04; p.2)

(Gospel Gleaner, Volume 20, No. 3-4, p. 7, Column 1 – July-Dec. 2005)

False prophets are in abundance in today’s world and occasionally these religious pretenders over play their hand and say too much. Kenneth Copeland did on December 12, 2001. At a dedication service Copeland asserted that one billion Muslims would be converted in the next few months. His exact words were, “And there are going to be multiplied millions upon millions; there’s going to be close to a billion people that have been trapped in that religion, that in the next few months are gonna come into the kingdom of God (cheering). That is gonna happen; you watch and see what I’m telling you…”

WHERE WERE ALL THE PROPHETS BEFORE THE TSUNAMI?

(By Jim Lee, Knollwood Messenger, Vol. 8, Issue 3, March 2005, p. 2)

Did Oral Roberts, Benny Hinn. Or T.D. Jakes warn us? Where were Paul and Jan Crouch’s Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN)? Broadcast 24 hours a day, to almost the entire world, and yet we heard not a word of warning.

Don’t you think that our religious world should question its “prophets”? We often hear televangelists say that God spoke to them, especially when they need money, and told them to do this or that. But for some reason, none of these prophets said a word regarding the approaching tsunami. I ask why?

Isn’t this an obvious indication that there are no modern-day prophets? Doesn’t this prove Paul’s 1 Cor. 13:8 revelation – “prophecies will fail”?

EDITOR’S THOUGHTS:

It is amazing that day after day, week after week, year after year, people read, hear, and see these people who claim to receive special information from God, who claim that God has picked them out of 3 billion people to reveal unknowing and unverifiable facts about things only God knows. Why are so many people so easily deceived when it comes to unknowing things? Perhaps people are seeking help, real help for their lot in this world. It seems such a shame for these false prophets who, in God’s name give out unbiblical ideas (i.e. teach things not contained in the Bible), leading millions away from God and not toward God.

God has seen fit to reveal HIS ATTITUDE toward those who would prophecy false things, those who claim to have powers that are impossible to have in this age. Pleas hear God’s Written Word on these things,

Matt 7:15-20:

“15 Beware of false prophets , who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. 16 You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thorn bushes or figs from thistles? 17 Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Therefore by their fruits you will know them.

Matt 24:11-13:

“11 Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. 12 And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.

2 Peter 2:1-3:

“1 But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction. 2 And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed. 3 By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words; for a long time their judgment has not been idle, and their destruction does not slumber.

1 John 4:1:

“1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world” (NKJV).

Editorial: Garreth L. Clair—3/15/2005

glclair@sbcglobal.net

Our prayer is that we will be able to aid in the great work of teaching and encouraging people from all walks of life to take a little time and look at the evidence for God’s existence, His love for mankind, and His Holy Book (i.e., the BIBLE).

PSALMS 23:1-6

1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. 3 He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name's sake. 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the LORD Forever.

NKJV BIBLE

NEWS AND RELIGIOUS VIEWS FROM AROUND THE WORLD WILL OCCUR ON THIS PAGE REGULARLY.

The information that we will deal with from throughout the world will be printed in the English (i.e., American) language. The news and events will be gleaned from existent news sources, both electronic media and printed media. We will always give the source and credits for the origins of our NEWS ITEMS.

Garreth has over 50 years experience as a preacher, and is currently the preacher for the church that meets at 4840 Cemetery Road, in Hilliard OH.