Dear Friend,
"Shock and awe" best describes
the reaction to the unimaginable devastation and human suffering
along the Gulf Coast of the United States in the wake of
Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
Not only do we pray earnestly for God to help the suffering
victims, but our hearts and hands are extended as well. The
apostle Paul wrote: "…as we have opportunity,
let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the
household of faith" (Galatians 6:10). Misery knows
no organizational, religious, ethnic, governmental or other
boundaries, and we should always reach out to help all in
need. In this regard, members of the United Church of God,
publisher of The Good News magazine, have been overwhelmingly
generous with their contributions to the Church's relief
projects.
But, more importantly, we offer something no relief agency
can, a deeper, eternally meaningful help. Consider Acts 3.
In this instance, the apostles Peter and John turned to a
lame man, a beggar, and Peter said, "Silver and gold
I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name
of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk" (Acts
3:6). Just as they understood, our chief responsibility is
to direct people to the true Source of life. Peter used this
opportunity to plead with all people to walk spiritually
in a different way: "Repent therefore and be converted,
that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing
may come from the presence of the Lord" (Acts 3:19).
  Every single human needs this type of help, but the vast
majority continue to turn a blind eye to God and His laws.
Therefore, as Bible prophecy explains, God will someday personally
intervene to shake and awaken humanity from its spiritual
lethargy (please see our booklets: Are
We Living in the Time of the End? and The
Book of Revelation Unveiled).
In the meantime, as we continue to experience both natural
disasters and man-made tragedies, the distress and unsettledness
will stir some people to begin searching for answers. Sad
to say, it is often because of suffering that we become more
aware of our frailty and begin to ask the most important
questions of life: Where is God? Why suffering? What happens
after death? What lies ahead for humanity? What is our purpose?
Those times present windows of opportunity for us to help
people seek God, to learn of His plan of salvation and to
change their hearts and ways of living.
The United Church of God is striving, by using every resource
we can, to place God's message before people worldwide.
This is where we can do our best work. Our fervent prayer
is that people will be willing to hear the good news, that
they will be like those Jesus described, "who received
seed on the good ground" (Matthew 13:23), who will "repent,
and believe in the gospel" (Mark 1:15).
Both natural and man-made calamities will continue to engulf
this world prior to Christ's return (see Matthew 24:1-8).
This is where we can offer aid that no relief agency can
provide, the spiritual help to guide people to the true Source
of life, hope and peace.
We deeply appreciate your ongoing interest in this great
mission, and we pray that the Word of God is making a difference
in your lives as well. If there is any way we can serve you,
please let us know.
Sincerely,
Clyde
Kilough
President
United Church of God, an International Association
PS - Be sure to request the FREE booklets: Are
We Living in the Time of the End? and The
Book of Revelation Unveiled. |
