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                                                                 “A  Lifesaver”

When you  hear  this  word, what comes  to  your  mind?   A candy  will  come  to  some  minds,  a small  round
candy, that comes  in  several flavors  and colors.  I personally enjoyed  (enjoy!)  the cherry and  the
peppermint flavors. In reality, they don’t  save  lives at all, in fact they are  not really that good for  your
teeth, and  I feel that the  sweeteners  used  can be harmful  as  well! Agreed?

Some of you  will  have  thoughts  of  first  responders,  those who  rush  to  save  lives due  to  disasters,
floods,  hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, fires, terrorists acts,  and I’m  sure  that  there are
many other  tragedies that could  be  on  this  list! First  responders  also  deal  with  health
emergencies, heart  attacks,  vehicle accidents, victims  of  assaults, and  again I’m  sure  that
there  could be a  much  larger  list. Let’s  look  into  the Scriptures and  see some first
responders!

Luke 10:30
And  Yahshua (Jesus)  answering said,  “A  certain man  went  down  from  Jerusalem
(Yeruwshalaim) to Jericho  (Yer-ee-kho), and  fell  among thieves, which  stripped  him
of his raiment, and  wounded him, and  departed, leaving  him half dead. (KJV) 

I  would have to admit  that  this  person  was in dire need of first  aid.  He  was mugged,  robbed, stripped
of his  clothing, and  beat  up  pretty  severely. We have to remember that back in those  days, 9-1-1  did
not  exist,  so  the first  person  or  persons would  be  considered  as  a first  responder!  Let’s continue our
 investigation!

Luke 10:31-32
31 And  by  chance  a certain  priest  was going  down  that  way:  and when he saw  him,  he
passed by on the  other side. (ASV)
32 And  in  the same way, a  Levite, when he came to the  place and  saw him, went by on
the  other side. (BBE)

These  individuals,  the priest and  the Levite,  in  my  mind  got a  failing grade  as  responding  to  this  injured
man. I’m  sure  that  they  had the  expertise in lending  the much needed first  aid.  If  the shoe was  on  the
other  foot, and  they  were  the one  left  injured,  would they want the  same  kind  of  response? I  would
have to say, PROBABLY NOT!

Luke 10:33-35
33 But  a certain  Samaritan journeying came to him, and  seeing  him,  was moved  with
compassion, (DBY)
34 And  coming  near, he bound  up  his wounds,  pouring on oil  and wine,  and set  him
on his own animal and  brought him  to  an  inn,  and took care of him. (MKJV) 
35 The  next  day he took two  silver  pieces  and gave them to the  landlord  and said,  Take
care of  him,  and whatever more you  spend I  will  repay it to you  on  my  way back.(MNT)

This is an awesome  example of what a  true  first responder’s  attitude  should  be. A  Samaritan was  looked
upon by the  Yahudim (Jews) as less than a  human being, they were looked upon as dogs!  But look at
who  did what,  and who  did the  right thing! In fact,  the Samaritan  went  the distance!

Luke 10:36-37
36 “So which  of  these three  do  you think  was neighbor to him  who fell among  the thieves?”
(NKJV)
37  He  said, "The  one who  showed  mercy on him."  And Yahshua  (Jesus) said…"Go and  do
likewise." (RSV)

The  Messiah had  compassion  on  all of humanity,  He  wasn’t  selective.  He  healed  many  people  of  many
different  ailments, and  He  brought back to life a  dear  friend. He was  definitely  a lifesaver, and  the very
best first  responder anyone could  ever  want.

Matthew 4:24
And Yahshua’s  (his) fame spread all  through Syria. They brought  to  him all  who were ill
with any  form  of  disease,  or  who were suffering  pain--any who  were  either  possessed by
demons,  or  were  lunatic,  or  paralyzed;  and he cured  them. (TCNT)

John 11:1-3, 17, 43-44

1  Now  a certain  man was  sick, Lazarus  from  Bethany,  of  the village  of  Mary  and her sister,
 Martha. (WEB)
2  It was  the Mary who  poured  the perfume  over  the Master (Lord) and  wiped His  feet
with her  hair, whose  brother Lazarus  was ill. (WNT)
3  Therefore  his sisters  sent  unto  him,  saying, Master (Lord),  behold, he whom you  love
 is  sick. (KJV)        

17 So when Yahshua  (Jesus) came,  he  found that he had  been  in  the tomb four days
already. (ASV)

43 Then Yahshua  (he)  said  in  a loud voice, Lazarus, come out! (BBE)
44 And he who  had died came out, bound  hand  and foot with sheets,  and his  face  was
bound  with  a cloth. Yahshua  (Jesus) said to them,  Untie him  and let  him go! (MKJV)

Our  Savior  truly was  a lifesaver, He came to heal,  He  came  to  save  lives,  He  came  to  give  life! If you  were  very  sick, on the  verge of dying, or severely injured, who  would you  prefer  as  a first  responder?  I know who  I want by my side!

John 10:10, 6:48-51
10 “The thief  never comes  except  to  steal and  kill  and destroy. I  am  come  that  they  may
have life,  and may  have  it  in  abundance. (MNT)

6:48 I am the  bread of life. (NKJV)
49 Your fathers  ate the  manna in the  wilderness, and  they  died. (RSV)  
50 The  Bread that comes  down  from  Heaven  is  such  that  whoever eats of it will never die.
 (TCNT)
51 I  am  the living bread  which came down out  of  heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he
 will  live  forever.  Yes,  the bread  which I  will  give  for the  life  of  the world  is  my  flesh.”
(WEB) 

I  would now  like  to  research  two other  examples  of  lifesaving, one  in  the Old  Covenant  Scriptures,  and the  other in the  New Covenant Scriptures. 

1 Kings 17:17-22                                                                                                                                 (KJV)
17 And  it  came  to  pass  after these  things, that the  son of the  woman,  the mistress of the
house, fell sick;  and his  sickness  was so sore,  that  there was  no  breath  left  in  him.
18 And she  said  to  Elijah, What have I  to  do  with  you,  O man  of  Elohim  (God)?  Have
you  come  to  put Elohim (God)  in  mind  of  my  sin,  and to put  my  son to death? (BBE)
                                                                                                                                             (ASV)  (MKJV)
19 And  he  said  unto  her,  Give  me  your  son.  And he took him  out of her  bosom,  and
carried  him up into the  chamber,  where he abode, and  laid  him upon his  own bed.
20 And  he  cried to Yahweh (the LORD), and  said, O  Yahweh  (LORD)  my  Elohim  (God),
have You  also  brought evil on the  widow with whom I  am  staying,  by  slaying her  son?
21 And  he  stretched himself  out on the  child three  times,  and cried  out to Yahweh (the
LORD)  and said,  "O  Yahweh  (LORD)  my  Elohim  (God),  I pray,  let this child's  soul  come
back to him." (NKJV)
22 And  Yahweh  (the  LORD) hearkened  to  the voice  of  Elijah; and  the soul of the  child
came into him  again,  and he revived. (RSV)

In this miracle, it didn’t require  the use  of  a defibrillator to get  the boy’s  heart beating  again!  No! It
was  accomplished  through total  faith,  and the  power of Yahweh Elohim!  On  to  the next lifesaving
miracle.

Paul (Shaul)  being a  Hebrew  of  the Hebrews, was  also  a teacher  of  teachers! He definitely had  a  very  healthy set  of  lungs,  in  other words… “He was  long  winded  (at times)!” This  next  example  is  very  serious but  it  also  has a  ‘somewhat comical’ side to it.  Let’s investigate.

Acts 20:9-12                                                                                                                                 (TCNT)
9  And  a young  man named  Eutychus  (Yoo’-too-khos),  sitting at the  window, was  gradually
overcome with great  drowsiness, as Paul (Shaul)  continued his  address.  At  last, quite
overpowered  by  his drowsiness,  he  fell  from  the third  story to the  ground,  and was
picked up for  dead.
10 And  Paul  (Shaul) went down,  and fell on him, and  embracing him  said, “Trouble not
yourselves;  for his  life  is  in  him.” (KJV)
11 Now  when  he  had come up,  had broken bread  and eaten, and  talked  a long while, even
till daybreak,  he  departed. (NKJV)
12 Meanwhile  they  had taken  the lad  away  alive,  and were greatly  comforted. (TCNT)

This Sabbath  fellowship  went  well  into  the night, in fact until  daybreak. Our  fellowship  sometimes will
not  end until  after six  or  seven hours, this one  mentioned in this Scripture  lasted  much  longer  than
that.  I can  understand  a young  lad falling  asleep, but  not in a  window!

These  are only a  few examples of a  prophet,  an  apostle,  and our  Messiah,  healing different  sicknesses 
and  diseases, and  even  bringing  back  to  life, those  who had  breathed  their last breath.  Our Messiah 
made a  statement in the  book  of  John  that  is  most  interesting…let’s investigate!

John 14:11-13
11 Believe  me  that  I am in the  Father, and  the Father in me:  or  else  believe me for  the
very works' sake. (ASV)
12 Truly  I say  to  you,  He who  puts  his faith  in  me  will  do  the very works  which I  do,
and  he will do greater  things  than  these,  because I  am  going to my Father. (BBE)
13 And  whatsoever  you shall  ask in my Name,  this  will  I do,  that  the Father may  be
esteemed (glorified)  in  the Son. (DBY)

I  find  these Scriptures very,  very  interesting!  Was our  Messiah speaking only of His  day and  age,  or
do His  words include  the 21^st century? I  personally  feel  that  His words  have  no  bounds!

I  would now  like  to  conclude  this  study paper  with  two poems  penned  by  my  believing soul mate,  she truly  loves   life, and  enjoys  helping others.  Truly be encouraged! 

                                                     “A Time To Die”

It’s not  easy  to  write about  death,  none  of  us  know  when  it’s  our last breath.

Yahweh knows  our heart  before  we  die,  He  hears the  faithful  when  they  cry.

I  have  a friend who  lost  her mate,  we  know  not why, we’ll  call  it  fate.

The  pain  is  strong, our  will  is  too,  rejoice in this trial, begin  anew.

Let  Yah’s power  be  in  you now, eyes straight ahead  as  you take to the  plow.

Have daily  contact with the  Master, our  best  resource, His  Set-apart Word.

Nothing  compares  to  what  will  be, at one  with  Yah for  eternity!
(RIW ~ 6/3/85)

                                                       “True  Compassion”

It’s best to follow through  when  you know of a  need, ask  guidance  from  the Master and  He  will lead.

There’s  so  many  people  hurting in the  world today, we pray to our  Heavenly  Father  to  show us the  way.

It’s such a  blessing  knowing our  prayers are  heard,  comforting  others  with  our Savior’s precious Word.

True compassion is expressed  by  those who  care, willing  to  give  of  their sustenance and  want to share.

There  are endless  ways  to  ease  the pain,  of  lives when all  is  lost, and  none  remains.

The  miracle of faith  will  all make it happen,  lives will be restored once again.

The  will  to  survive keeps  us  all going, reaching out  to  others, true joy  it  brings!

(RIW ~ 9/7/04)

May  Yahweh  Bless ~ our  lifesaving  walk!   DLW
The  Lewiston  Berean  Fellowship, P. O. Box  1904, Lewiston,  Id, 8350
 

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                                     “ What Man  Do  You Follow?”

Do you  look  up  to  a human  being,  i.e.  a man  or  a group  of  men,  and put  them  on  a
pedestal? Do you  think that all  of  HWA’s words  or  actions are  bound in heaven?  Do  you
follow Gerald Flurry because  you believe  that  he  was given  the baton  after HWA  died?  Are
you  a member of the  UCG (United  Church  of  G-d)  because you  believe that they are  the
only group  doing the  work?  (HWA ~ Herbert W. Armstrong)

I  have  read  or  heard all  of  these expressions! I  personally  feel  that  they  are in error…we are  told  to
look at the  fruits…that we will know them by their  fruits! Let’s  take  a look at some of the  fruits  of 
those  mentioned above…not  that  we  are judging  them…but we do need to prove  all things…and
turn over as many rocks  as  we  can.  A lot  of  information is out  there,  but it takes  much
 investigation!

Is every  teaching  of  HWA  bound  in  heaven? Do  you feel that he was  an  end time

Elijah (EliYah)?  Did all  of  his predictions  come  to  fruition? These  are hard questions  that
must be answered to get  a good look at the  fruits.

Matt 16:19   And  I will give unto you  the keys of the  kingdom of heaven:  and whatsoever
you  shall bind on earth  shall be bound in heaven:  and whatsoever you  shall loose on
earth  shall be loosed in heaven. (KJV)

I  personally  know  a man  and a  woman,  now in their  latter  years,  who I  met while  I was  a member of
the  WCG  in the  mid 70’s.  They  were  once  a married  couple, but  were  told  that  they  could
not  stay  married and  be  members of the  WCG  organization.  The reason was  that  one or both of
them had  a previous marriage!  (WCG ~ Worldwide  Church  Of  G-d)

The  man remarried  another woman  within the  same  church   area  after this,  the once married
woman  and the  newly  married woman knew each other, and  I’m sure were considered friends, or
spiritual  sisters.  Could  you live in a  situation such as this?  How sad!!! The  son loved  both
his  dad and  mother, but  now had  a step-mother  to  consider. This caused some friction
within the  ranks I’m  sure. Was  this  bound in HEAVEN? 

How  about HWA’s  second marriage,  and the  bitter  divorce that ensued?  This  divorce cost
the  WCG a  lot of money, I’ve read articles quoting  amounts of hundreds of thousands of
dollars! Was  this  bound in HEAVEN?  We aren’t to add  to  nor take away from the  Scriptures, we can’t
bend the  rules for  our own  gain!

When you  read  about the  couple  mentioned earlier, who  had to separate,  and what is mentioned  in 
the  above paragraph, anger  and resentment could  set in!  We  can’t let  that  happen, bitterness is poison
to us.  We  must  learn from the  mistakes  of  the past,  that  are written  in  the Scriptures,  and that are
common knowledge  about HWA  as the  Pastor  General of the  WCG.

Let’s  take  a look at some scriptures referring  to  the end  time  Elijah (Eliyah).

Mal 4:5  Behold,  I will send you  Elijah  (Eliyah)  the prophet  before  the coming of the
great  and dreadful day  of  Yahweh  (the  LORD).
6  And  he  will  turn  the hearts of the  fathers to the  children, and  the hearts of the
children to their  fathers,  lest  I come and  strike  the earth  with  a curse. (NKJ)

Was  this  fulfilled through  HWA?  Did he turn the  hearts  of  the children to the  fathers and  visa  versa? 

Mark 9:11  And  they  asked Him, saying,  Why is it that the  scribes say  that  Elijah
(Eliyah) must come  first?
12   And  He  said  to  them, Elijah (Eliyah) does first  come  and restore  all things.  And
yet  how is it written of the  Son of Man  that  He  should  suffer  many  things  and be
treated  with contempt?
13   But  I say  to  you,  that  Elijah  (Eliyah)  has indeed come,  and they did  to  him
whatever they wished,  just  as  it  is  written of him. (NAS)

Matt 17:13   Then the  disciples understood that he spoke  unto  them  of  John  the Baptist.
(KJV)

Was  HWA’s  heart  turned  to  his children?  Before  their deaths,  did he reconcile  with  his son
Garner Ted? If you  would like to read in GTA’s  own  words,  request a  copy  of  “Our  New Year’s
Visit  To  Ambassador  College:  My  Personal  Reminiscences”,  write  to  GTAEA,  P.O.  Box 747, Flint, TX
75762. Hopefully  it’s  still available. I  think that it will show you  that  Herbert W. Armstrong
was  not the  end time Eliyah.

If you  have  him on a  pedestal,  you need to replace  him with the  Messiah.  I  advise  you to
request  an  audio tape entitled “Hero’s”,  by  C.  Wayne Cole.  He  was probably closer to HWA than
any  other,  please  write to the  COG Big  Sandy,  P. O. Box  1020, Big  Sandy,  Tx  75755,  it’s
very informative  and hopefully  still available!

What about  his predictions? Again, these  are common knowledge, and  are well documented!  I have read
many articles in Servants News about  HWA,  Norman  Edwards had  a collection of articles that
went way  back!  I don’t  think that he produces Servants News anymore…but  information can  be
searched on the  internet. We need to know where  we  came  from  so  that  we  can make
necessary  course  corrections.  Also, Giving and  Sharing,  P.O.  Box 100, Neck City,  Mo  64849
has  some  good  information as well!  Write for  “Herbert  W.  Armstrong: 1892 – 1986.”

If you  have  a strong stomach, you  can read the  Ambassador Report,  this  is  not for  the weak!
Servants’  News  had the  “Ambassador Report Index”,  a collection of excerpts from the 
actual reports, they give you  an  idea  of  what  was going  on, it isn’t  very  pretty!

It goes along  with  the old  Clint Eastwood movie, “The  Good, the  Bad,  and the  Ugly”. The 
Ambassador Report can  also  be  found on the  internet  as  well. 

We are  to  be  lights in our  communities,  our lights need to be seen,  not hidden.  The   information  that
we have covered  has no brightness at all, only darkness.  It isn’t  from  above,  it’s  of  this  world!

Matt 5:16  Let  your  light so shine  before  men,  that  they  may see  your  good  works,  and
 esteem  (glorify) your Father which  is  in  heaven. (KJV)

Do you  think that our  Heavenly  Father  has been esteemed by all  of  this? Is the  Most  High  pleased?
Did  He  bring down the  HWA/WCG  Empire?

Acts 5:38  And  now I  say to you, keep away from these  men and  let them alone; for  if
this plan or this work is of men, it will come to nothing; (NKJ)

You  decide  for yourself,  I know what my answer is!  Our little ministry of service  has three  interesting
study  papers,  please request  them  if  you have not  received  them  already:  “The  Widow’s
Might”,  “Puzzle Pieces”, “And You  Shall Never  Thirst.” I  use my own  personal  experiences in
these  study papers,  they  come  from  my  heart!  We  can’t just sweep  the dirt under  the
carpet!  No, the  dirt  and the  garbage must be thrown away!  Are some of the  off ~ shoots
doing  business  as  usual?  Are they just mini ~ replica’s of the  original?

What about  the PCG  (Philadelphia  Church  of  G-d), the  group founded  by Gerald Flurry after  he  was
given  the so called baton? Is  he  the end-time Eliyah…has he turned the  hearts  of  the children
to the  fathers,  or  the hearts of the  fathers to the  children? Where  is  their light…we don’t
see  it  here  in  our area?  This  man worships HWA, he wants  to  publish all  or  most  of  the writings
of the  man he worships!  Isn’t that breaking the  first two  commandments? HWA  stood
between  the Messiah  and  the brethren,  is  Gerald  Flurry  attempting  the same?  He  calls himself  the
Pastor General of the  PCG!

How  much  money was  wasted  in  the bitter court  battle, between  the PCG, and  the renewed  WCG
over the  illegal printing by the  PCG  of “Mystery of the  Ages”?  The  WCG owned  the copyrights,
was  the PCG  stealing and  breaking  the eighth command? You  decide! Was  the light  shining brightly
in this court  battle? What do the  Scriptures  say about  this? Was  this  bound in HEAVEN?

1 Cor 6:5  I  say this to shame  you.  Is  it  possible  that  there is nobody among  you wise
enough to judge  a dispute  between believers?
6  But  instead,  one brother  goes  to  law against  another—and this in front  of  unbelievers!
7 The  very  fact  that  you have lawsuits among  you means  you have been completely
defeated already. Why  not rather be wronged? Why  not rather be cheated?
8 Instead, you  yourselves  cheat and  do  wrong,  and you  do  this  to  your  brothers. (NIV)


Rod  Meredith  is  not exempt from all  of  this! He is a  player  as  well! He is playing  in  this  same  game
scenario!  If  you look back a  few years  ago when the  GCG  (Global  Church  of  G-D)  split,  of  which
Meredith was  the founder  of, he took most of the  money with him. I’ve read articles in
SN (Servants’ News)  and the  Journal  about  this  split,  the articles mentioned  that  he  took  about
80%  of  the income!  The remnant  of  the GCG  had to file for  bankruptcy  because of a  loan
that Meredith had  taken out  before  the split, that he was  so  kind  to  leave them with! 
Was  this  bound in HEAVEN?  Was  the light  burning brightly?  You decide!  After  the split, each group  had
offices  in  the same building in San  Diego,  but the  groups  would not  talk  or  fellowship  with  one another!
Was  this  bound in HEAVEN?   Was this Scriptural?

Last but  not least, we’ll  discuss the  UCG  (United  Church  of  G-d). My mother was  a member of
this corporate  church  from  it’s  founding  in  1995  until her  passing in 2001.

She  gave  a  lot of financial  support to this organization!

At her  memorial  service,  I mentioned  to  one UCG  member  attending,  that  my  wife  and myself were
no longer members  of  the UCG. I  described how  we  were  meeting in a  smaller fellowship with other
ex-UCG’er’s, the  response  from  this  UCG member shocked  me, “How can  you be doing  the
work,  UCG  is the  only  one doing  the work!”      

Do I  need  to  say any  more? Enough is enough!

My wife gave me a  poem  to  share with you. We can  follow  a man  if  it  is  from  above and  not of men:

1 Cor 11:1   Follow my example, as I  follow  the example  of  Messiah (Christ). (NIV)

       Be you  followers of me,  even  as  I also am of Messiah  (Christ). (KJV)

                     Be  imitators of me,  just  as  I also am of Messiah  (Christ). (NAS)

                                                             “Come Follow Me”

The  words of Messiah  refresh the  soul, in a  way no one  else  can do.

When the  Spirit  of  Truth is leading  us, His  words ring clear  and true.

Our  Savior  said ~ ‘Come  follow  me’,  do  all that I  command.

Blessings  you’ll  surely  receive,  be  strong  and take a  stand.

When we decide to do His  will, the  old man  dies  within.

For  in  His word it plainly  says, new  life  in  Messiah begins.

How  wonderful are  His laws for  man,  a light  to  guide our  way.

Master grant  us  courage to follow you, in all  we  do  and all  we  say.

When we make it our  goal, to do His  will.

Striving to live,  learn,  and grow,  then  love  shall be fulfilled.
(RIW ~ APR 1995)

May  Yahweh  Bless ~ our following! DLW 
The  Lewiston  Berean  Fellowship, P. O. Box  1904, Lewiston,  Id. 83501

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                                                 “And You  Shall Become One”

During the  Feast of Tabernacles  (Sukkot-2002),  we  were  in  the beautiful  surroundings  of  Sunriver  Oregon,
truly  a millenial  setting.  It  was like a  walk  in  the wild zoo, we saw  raccoons, coyotes, gray squirrels,
and  of  course  many  deer, fawn,  doe,  and buck.  I feel that nature was  trying  to  tell  us  humans  a thing
or two. Did  we  listen…hopefully  we  did!

Isa 11:7   Also the  cow and  the bear will graze; their  young will lie  down  together;
and  the lion will eat  straw like the  ox.
8  And  the nursing  child will play by the  hole  of  the cobra, and  the weaned child
will put his  hand  on  the viper's  den.
9 They will not  hurt  or  destroy in all  My  (holy)  set-apart mountain,  for the  earth
will be full of the  knowledge of Yahweh (the LORD)  as  the waters cover  the sea. (NAS)

The  animals were giving us a  preview of the  wonderful,  peaceful, Kingdom  of  Yahweh. There  were  two
other  Feast sites  that  we  know  of  in  this  area, one  UCG (United  Church  of  G-d, at Bend), and  one
independent  site. The  one we attended was  with  the Hoshana  Rabbah  Messianic Community…we wanted
to learn  more  about our  Hebrew  roots.  We  may not  do  or  practice  all that we experienced, but  we 
tried  our best to be like Paul (Shaul)  when  he  visited others,  he  became  like  them, as long as it didn’t
go against  the Most High’s Word,  His Law.

Our  memories  will  last  a life time,  we  met new  brothers  and sisters  that  we  would not  otherwise have
met…and  we  heard teachings  that  we  otherwise would  not have heard…we had  a twelve course meal…we
were filled to the  full!

We learned  about the  Hebrew  language, studied  the Alef-Bet (Hebrew alphabet) ,  and we learned  some
Hebrew dance, that was  used  for praise and  worship.  Of  course  we  are just babes, but  hopefully we’ll
continue to practice,  and learn!

2 Cor 1:24   Not  for that we have dominion over your faith, but  are helpers  of  your  joy:
for  by  faith you  stand.  (KJV)

We are  to  help  each  other,  to  uplift, to encourage, to edify, my question is ‘did we’? When I  say ‘we’,
I  refer to one  of  the groups mentioned  above.  The wife of a  brother Berean, attended the  UCG Feast
some of the  time. We met  some  friends of theirs from the  Dakotas who  also  attended  the Bend UCG  site.
We had  dinner  with  them  during  the Feast…they are  truly a  loving, caring,  uplifting ‘believing’  couple.
They are  trying  to  live and  practice what they believe…so are  we!

During the  Feast ‘at  Bend’,  a UCG  pastor  from  the pulpit said some things about  Messianics that we
(and Yahshua) would  consider  off color. What do the  Scriptures  say about  doing this:

James 1:26   If any  man among  you seem to be religious, and bridles  not his  tongue, but
 deceives  his own  heart,  this man's religion is vain. (KJV) (underlined  words added)

3152   mataios (mat'-ah-yos); (Strong’s)
from the  base  of  3155; empty, i.e. (literally)  profitless, or (specifically) an idol:
KJV--  vain, vanity.

A  married couple,  who we considered our  friends and  part  of  our ‘believing’  family, who  are members
of the  UCG,  said  that  they  would not  so  much  as  go  across  the street to greet  us! Why, because  we 
were attending  a ‘different’  Feast site,  because we are  in  a different  room  in  the Most High’s House,
other  than  the room that they are  in  (the  UCG)…tell me!!!…DID  THE MESSIAH  USE THIS APPROACH? 
NO!!!

Luke 10:30   In reply  Yahshua (Jesus)  said: A  man was  going down from Jerusalem  to
Jericho, when he fell into the  hands of robbers. They stripped him  of  his clothes, beat
him  and went away,  leaving him  half  dead.
31   A  priest  happened  to  be  going down the  same  road, and  when  he  saw the  man,  he
passed by on the  other side.
32   So too, a  Levite, when he came to the  place and  saw him, passed by on the  other
side.
33   But  a Samaritan, as he traveled,  came  where the  man was; and  when  he  saw him,
he took pity on him.
34   He went to him  and bandaged his  wounds, pouring  on  oil and  wine. Then he put
the  man on his  own donkey,  took  him to an inn  and took care of him. (NIV)

36   Which  of  these three  do  you think  proved  to  be  a neighbor to the  man who  fell
into the robbers' hands? (NAS)

If we love only those  that  are in our  ‘room’, it doesn’t  profit  us, we are  showing respect  of  persons,
partiality:

James 2:1  My brethren,  have  not the  faith of our  Master  (Lord)  Yahshua (Jesus) 
Messiah  (Christ), the  Master  (Lord)  of  esteem  (glory),  with  respect of persons. (KJV)

Luke 6:32  And  if  you love those  who love you, what credit is that to you? For  even
sinners  love  those who  love  them. (NAS)

Some in our  ‘Feast  room’ , where  they  live, also fellowship with friends  who meet on Sunday,  three
or four couples  were  doing this…but let  me  tell  you the  rest  of  the story! These  brothers  and sisters
are  teaching  about the  Sabbath,  and the  Appointed Times, they are  doing a  good  work  like  the
Samaritan. Large  numbers of people are  learning  about the  correct days,  isn’t that wonderful? I  know,
that most believers  in  other ‘rooms’  aren’t  doing this,  nor do they think  it’s  right.  Who knows  the
heart?

Jer 17:9   The  heart is deceitful  above all  things, and  desperately wicked;  who can  know it?
10   I, Yahweh (the LORD), search the  heart,  I test the  mind, even to give every  man
according  to  his ways,  according to the  fruit of his  doings. (NKJ)

Even at the  Feast (Sukkot),  which portrays a  thousand  years of peace, reigning with Yahshua  Messiah,
we are  still in ha Shatan’s world, this is his  ‘age’ still, he has  his fingers  in  everything. If we don’t  keep
our  guard up,  even  the Feast  can be affected.

7854 (Heb)   satan (saw-tawn'); (Strong’s)
from  7853; an opponent;  especially  (with the  article prefixed)  Satan,  the arch-enemy of good: KJV--
adversary, Satan, withstand.

4567 (Gr) Satanas  (sat-an-as');
of Aramaic  origin  corresponding to 4566 (with  the definite affix);  the accuser, i.e. the devil: KJV-- Satan.

Satan  (ha Shatan)  is  pleased when we backbite one  another,  when  we  accuse  one another, when we
use  our tongues  in  a hurtful  way against  one another…he wins when we do this!  We  are the  losers!

That Feast  was truly  a joy, we learned  more, and  we  grew, that’s what it’s all  about…but we all  still
have a  long  way to go.  Let’s pray for  one another, and  be  friendly, sharing  what  we  have  with  each
other. I  would like to share  a poem with you  that  my  wife  penned…it says everything that I’ve written
 about!  ENJOY!

“Children  of  the Most High”

How  wonderful it is to have friends,

Who  reach out  in  Love time and  again.

A  radiant joy  is  seen  on  their face,

His  precious  truth we all  embrace.

As His  children, we join as one,

Giving the  esteem  to  Yahshua His  Son.

A  Heavenly  Kingdom we patiently  await,

From our  heart,  this  joy no one  can take.

His  Spirit  fills us with true peace  of  mind,

Mistakes of our  past, we leave  behind.

Sincerely  striving  to  do  His will,

All  of  our needs  He  will  fulfill.

Until  the day  our Savior arrives,

His  Spirit  in  us  He  will  revive.

Our  Master  knows,  the ones He calls  His own,

By our  fruits, and  by  how much we’ve  grown.

Pressing onward,  with  eyes  straight  ahead,

By His  Spirit, we want to be led.

The  Father  promises, Life forevermore,

Joy  and blessings, He has  in  store.

                                                       (RIW ~ May-1996)

May  Yahweh  Bless ~ our feasting!  DLW
The  Lewiston  Berean  Fellowship, P.O. Box  1904, Lewiston,  Id. 83501
 

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                       “Hear  No  Evil, See  No  Evil, Speak  No  Evil”

You  have  probably  seen  these three  cute, cuddly monkeys, one  with  hands over the  ears, one  with
hands  over  the eyes,  and one  with  hands over the  mouth.  I believe  in  my  heart,  that  these three
statements are  not really a  possibility in our  day and  age,  unless  you are  a hermit,  unless you  live
a  life  without radio, television,  movies, or music.

We would  have  to  walk  around  with  spiritual ear  plugs,  with  spiritual blinders on,  and with spiritual  duct
tape covering our  mouths  for this to be a  reality.  I will say  that  there are  religious groups who  do  live
basically  this  way,  without music, television,  or  other modern conveniences,  so  in  a way  they  are not
hearing, nor  seeing, nor  speaking  evil.

But  let me ask  you,  by  doing this;  (1) Are  they  living  in  a perfect  environment?  (2) Are  they  more
righteous  than  those who  don’t do these  things? (3)  Did our  Savior  do  this, and  did He tell us to do
the  same?

The  Scriptures  can answer each and  every one  of  these questions, let’s  begin our  Berean  investigation!
First, whose  environment are  we  living  in?

Ephesians 2:2-3
2  Wherein  in  time  past  you walked according  to  the course of this world, according  to the
prince of the  power of the  air,  the spirit that now  works in the  children  of disobedience:
(KJV)
3  Among  whom  we  all at one  time  were  living  in  the pleasures  of  our flesh, giving way to
the  desires of the  flesh and  of  the mind,  and the  punishment  of  Elohim  (God) was waiting
 for us even as for  the rest. (BBE)

2 Corinthians 4:3-4
3  And  even  if  our gospel is veiled,  it  is  veiled  in  them  that  perish: (ASV)
4  Among  them  the  god of this age has  blinded the  understanding of the  unbelieving so
that the sunshine of the  gospel  of  Elohim  (God),  should  not dawn upon them. (MNT)

From these  Scriptures  we  see;  (1) a  prince  mentioned who  controls  the air  (2) this prince causes
disobedience (3)  through the  pleasures and  desires of the  flesh and  the mind  (4) and  this  prince, this
 ‘god’,  uses  deception,  he  is  a master deceiver!  Do  we  have  any Scriptures that can  give  us  an  idea  who
 this  may be?

Revelation 12:9
The  great dragon was  thrown  down, the  old serpent, he who  is  called  the devil  and Satan,
the  deceiver  of  the whole  world.  He  was thrown down to the  earth,  and his  messengers
(angels) were thrown down with him. (WEB)

We know that ha Shatan (Satan)  was cast out  of  Heaven, and  that  he  deceived  Hawwah  (Eve) into eating
from the  wrong tree.  What  else  can we find out  about this prince who  controls  the air?

John 8:44
The  father  whose sons you  are is the  Devil;  and you  desire  to  do  what  gives him pleasure.
He was  a murderer from the  beginning,  and does not  stand firm in the  truth--for  there is
no truth  in  him.  Whenever  he  utters  his lie, he utters it out  of  his own store; for  he  is  a
liar,  and the  father  of  lies. (WNT)

Yes, we are  to  come  out of Babylon, to come out  of  Sodom and  Gomorrah, and  we  are to leave  Egypt
behind,  and never  look  back! But, we must also always remember that this age, this environment  that
we all  live  in, is Satan’s, and  is  hostile towards  us  in  every way. 

1 Peter 5:8
Be sober, be watchful.  Your  adversary the  devil prowls around like a  roaring lion,  seeking
some one  to  devour. (RSV)

What about  someone being  more  righteous by completely coming out  of  the world, by not  having
anything to do with any  modern  conveniences  etc.? Does the  use of modern conveniences make a
person less ‘righteous’  than  those who  don’t use  them? Can  the Scriptures possibly give us an answer?

Matthew 15:18-19
18 But  the things that come out  of  the mouth  proceed from the  heart,  and it is these
that defile the  man. (WNT)
19 For  out  of  the heart come forth  evil  thoughts, murders, adulteries,  whoredoms,  thefts,
false  witnessings,  evil  speakings: (YLT)

Jeremiah 17:9
Crooked  is  the heart  above all  things, and  it  is  incurable--who  does  know  it? (YLT)

It appears  to  me  that  it  isn’t these  ‘things’, i. e.  automobiles,  music,  radios, televisions, the  use of
electricity, or  the internet,  that  makes a  person  evil, it’s the  heart that defiles  a person.  So, by not
using  these things doesn’t  make  anyone  more  ‘righteous’!

Romans 3:10-12
10 As Scripture  says-There  is  not even one  who is righteous, (TCNT)
11 no one  understands,  no  one seeks  for Elohim (God). (RSV)
12 They have all  turned  aside; They have together become unprofitable;  There is none
who  does  good, no,  not one. (NKJV)

We have to keep in mind,  both  trees are  still with us today; (1)  the tree of the  knowledge of good and
evil (2)  and the  tree  of  life. So,  the ‘things’ that I  have  mentioned and  the list could  be  much  longer
than these, all  will  have  good  and bad  attached  to  them. Agreed!

We are  instructed  to  use these  ‘things’  in  a way  that  will  be  productive, that will be beneficial,  that  will
be good for  everyone! We aren’t to use  them  in  a way  that  goes  against civil  laws, nor  are we to use
them in a  way that goes against  Yahweh’s  Laws!

We still  have  to  make  right choices!

Now  on  to  the next question,  did our  Savior  completely  withdraw  Himself from the  World?  Did He
 associate with those  who were considered less than ‘perfect’  or  ‘good’?

Matthew 19:16
And  behold, one  came  and said to Him, Good Master,  what  good  thing shall  I do that I
may  have  eternal life? (MKJV)

Luke 18:19
And  Yahshua   (Jesus) said to him, Why  do  you say  that  I am good?  No  one is good,  but
only Elohim (God). (BBE)

The Creator  of  all things,  did not  even  call  Himself good,  this  was of course when He was  in  the flesh,
and  He  said  that  no  one was  good  except  His Father,  the Most High!

Luke 7:34
The  Son of man  has come eating and  drinking; and  you say, 'Behold, a  glutton and  a
drunkard,  a friend of tax  collectors  and sinners!' (RSV)

Mark 2:16-17                                                                                                                                     (DBY)
16 And  the scribes  and the  Pharisees,  seeing  him eating with sinners  and tax-gatherers, said
to his  disciples,  Why is it that he eats and  drinks  with  tax-gatherers and  sinners?
17 When Yahshua  (Jesus) heard, He said to them,  They  who are  strong  have  no  need  of a
physician, but  the ones who  have  illness.  I did  not come to call the  righteous,  but sinners
to repentance. (MKJV)

John 17:14-15
14 I  have  given them your word.  The world  hated them,  because they are  not of the world,
even as I  am  not of the  world.
15 I  pray  not that you  would take them from the  world,  but that you  would keep them
from the  evil  one. (WEB)

The  ‘them’  in  the above  Scriptures  are believers, followers  of  the Messiah. The  word  ‘world’ in both
Scriptures is also the  same  Greek word.  Let’s investigate!      

world ~ 2889  kosmos- (Thayers)

Government,  the inhabitants  of  the earth, men, the  human race,  the ungodly  multitude; the  whole mass
of men  alienated from Elohim (God), and  therefore hostile  to  the cause of Messiah  (Christ), world  affairs,
the  aggregate of things earthly, the  whole circle of earthly goods, endowments riches,  advantages,
pleasures, etc.

It doesn’t  appear  to  me  that  we  are to have a  hands off  policy  with  the world, or the ‘things’ in the
world, i. e.  modern  conveniences, automobiles, radio, television,  music,  the stock  market, or investments
in precious metals!  Everything  that  is  listed  here, can  be  a good thing  or  a bad  thing!  It  will  be  our
hearts,  our intents, that will determine  whether our  attitudes are  good  or  bad! 

Those  religious groups who  have  a complete hands  off policy with the  world,  are no more religious, no
more righteous, than someone  who does have involvement  with  these earthy things. 

Those  who do home school their  children  are probably making a  good  choice, if it can  be  done, with
what is being  taught  in  schools today  from  early on!  But again, a  student can  get a  good  education in
public schools  if  their head is on squarely!                   

Like I  mentioned about  investments in the  stock market or precious metals,  we  can have an attitude of
making an ‘idol’,  i. e. a  silver  or  golden  calf, but  we  can also have a  healthy attitude about  these types
of investments. Again, it’s what is in our  hearts!

Last but  not least  is  ‘not  speaking  evil’.  This  is  just  as  hard  as  the others are, if not  harder. A  lot is said
within the  Scriptures  about this.  Let’s investigate!

James 1:26
26 If any  man among  you seem to be religious, and  bridles not  his tongue,  but deceives
his  own heart, this man's  religion  is  vain. (KJV)

James3:6,8
6  And  the tongue is a  fire. The  tongue  is  an  unrighteous world  among our  members,
staining the  whole body,  setting on fire the  cycle of nature,  and set  on  fire  by  hell. (RSV)
8  But  the tongue can  no  man tame;  it  is  a restless evil,  it  is  full  of  deadly  poison. (ASV)

 1Peter  3:10
10 For  he  that  wants to love life and  to  see good days,  let him  restrain  his tongue from
evil,  and his  lips  from  speaking  guile. (MKJV)

I  don’t think  anymore needs  to  be  said, I  will  say though,  let’s just try  our very best at overcoming,
being  fruitful, and  letting