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March 7, 2023

2023 God’s Biblical Festivals

admin Announcements, Feasts

March 6, 2023

The Color of God’s Creation

admin Articles

One of my “rituals” each morning is to just look outside and appreciate the plants, foliage and wildlife in the area. As they emerge from winter dormancy and sluggishness, it’s refreshing to see energy and life “coming back” into nature.

Wherever you live, whether you are coming into the spring season or autumn, we learn from each season of the year and how nature responds to it.

God created such a magnificent earth for us to dwell on and to take care of. It is rich in variety of every imaginable thing. Think of the various species of animals that abound in your area, even in city dwellings. Squirrels inhabit the trees, rabbits nibble in the garden—and we observe cattle, birds of all types, long-haired and short-haired cats, and dogs of all shapes, sizes, colors and types of coat.

Just look at the types, shapes and textures of trees, leaves and even grass—some to cover lawns, and some as ornamental, taller grasses. There are fruit trees, flowering trees, palm trees with their distinctive leaves and straight trunks, oaks, elms and so on. And so many types of flowers, all of different shapes, sizes and smells.

God’s imagination and creativity is beyond our physical ability to fathom. We can just be grateful to be part of His creation and to have the senses to appreciate it and praise Him.

The color of God’s creation
As you look at the world around us, it is vibrant, beautiful and so inspiring when it is full of COLOR—the natural colors with which God adorned it. In the northern hemisphere we are coming into that season of color. South of the equator, you are nearing the end of that time when the autumn and winter seasons will emerge.

It is no secret that at times in our lives we may feel discouraged, despondent or even depressed. Some suffer from these emotions more than others. During those times our world seems dark, dull, overcast. We find little to nothing that excites us, pleases us or makes us want to live. The color in our life is gone.

Years ago we had the opportunity to visit the Czech Republic and Austria after observing the Feast in Germany. Austria is a beautiful country with mountains and landscapes that are literally “postcards” unto themselves. And the cities we visited—Salzburg, Vienna and others—had buildings and landscapes that were bright, adorned with color. They matched the environment and the whole area just made you feel glad to be alive.

By contrast, in the Czech Republic and its capital, Prague, while the natural surroundings were beautiful, the old Communist buildings that marked its history were dull, colorless and unimaginative. I remember it made me think that the result of this evil government was an environment that would hold people back, dull their senses and make their lives dark and despairing. There was nothing in their surroundings that would bring them to life, energize them, or make them feel good.

Dark, dingy surroundings and lack of color can sap our energy to do anything—even spiritual things.

By contrast, we find COLOR all over the Bible and God’s environment. We have green grass, blue skies, brown tree trunks, every type of green (dark, regular, light) and other colored leaves; red, yellow, orange, blue, purple, white and other flowers; a golden sun, an amber moon and bright, sparkling stars at night.

From time to time we stop and take notice of the sign God gave to man that He would never again flood the entire earth: a multi-colored rainbow—a sight to behold with its red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet bands of color.

When He instructed Moses on the details of building His temple, you find elements of creation—palm trees and pomegranates as part of the design. Curtains were blue. Ivory and other colors are mentioned as well as the types of wood to use, each in their variety of textures and colors. The priestly garments were colorful and decorated.

Even God’s throne is marked with color. The Bible gives us glimpses of the amber, bronze, the color of fire and its vibrancy, lightning and its brightness—and the colors of the rainbow are associated with it (Ezekiel 1, for example).

When the New Jerusalem descends from heaven, notice the construction of the walls as described in Revelation 21:16-21. All those precious stones, all glimmering, and all with their distinct color. God loves color, and He created us to love color and not darkness, dullness or dinginess.

Put God’s color in your life
Is your life colorless, dark, dingy with no excitement physically or spiritually?

Follow God’s example. Get outside and see and appreciate God’s creation. Build light and color into your life. And learn to enjoy and appreciate the color and the variety of all of His creation, including your fellow brethren and the Bible—His very Word—that He has preserved and given us. That and prayer will ignite your zeal and put spiritual color and energy into your life.

Don’t neglect God’s command to come into His presence, when you can, at His appointed times. Those times and your brethren build color into your life.

Don’t neglect study of the Bible and prayer. If your study has become dull and colorless, consider joining or listening to some of the online Bible studies that go verse by verse through books of the Bible. Some have said they want to go “deeper” into study. Through the miracle of modern technology, those resources are available to you wherever you live in the world. You just need to seek them out and if properly received and prioritized, they will add color to your spiritual life, thought, meditation, prayer and appreciation of God and the calling He has given you. Revel and come to life in God’s presence and with His family, of which you are a very important part.

Rick Shabi

February 27, 2023

Update on Beyond Today, Philippines

admin Announcements

We are now in the fourth season of airing of the Beyond Today TV nationwide. Richard Macaraeg from the national office gives the following update:

“Our Beyond Today TV program episode aired last Sunday, February 19, 2023, entitled “Love Is Love? Or God Is Love?” presented by Mr. Gary Petty, generated 17 responses for a free copy of our booklet What Does the Bible Teach About Grace? as well as a free subscription to the Beyond Today magazine. So far, this brings us to 175 responses for the fourth season.

 “Our 10th episode for this season next Sunday, February 26, is entitled “Great Conspiracy” by Mr. Steve Myers. The free literature to be offered is our booklet Who Is the Antichrist? along with a one-year subscription to our Beyond Today magazine.

 “Our Beyond Today TV program is telecast nationwide every Sunday over GMA-7 from 5:30 to 6:00 AM. A delayed webcast is also available over our Philippine Facebook and YouTube channels at 9:00 AM the same day.

“Your continued prayers for our efforts to preach the gospel nationwide through the Beyond Today TV program are greatly appreciated.”

February 27, 2023

Schedule of Services and Activities

admin Announcements

Please take note of the following upcoming events and schedule of services and activities:

Upcoming Events
April 4        Passover Evening
April 5        Night to Much Observed
April 6        First Day of Unleavened Bread
April 12      Seventh Day of Unleavened Bread
May 4         Second Passover Evening
May 6-8     GCE Annual Meeting- Home Office
February 27, 2023

Sabbath Services, February 25

admin Announcements

For tomorrow, February 25, we shall be joining our brethren from Sabah, Mindanao and the Visayas for nationwide virtual Sabbath services at 10 a.m. Look forward to hearing Senior Pastor David Dobson give the main message.
 
In-person Sabbath Services, Quezon City, March 4, 11 & 18
In-person Sabbath services are scheduled at the Church Activity Center, Rizalina II Annex Bldg., Quezon Avenue, QC, for March 4, 11 and 18 at 2 p.m. 
 
In-person Sabbath Services, San Carlos City, March 11
In-person Sabbath services are scheduled on March 11 at 2 p.m. at the usual venue in San Carlos Preparatory School, San Carlos City.
 
D-6 Youth Instruction Program, Feb 25
The next D-6 session is scheduled for February 25 at 3:30 p.m. via Zoom. All participating families in the D-6 Program are encouraged to review the study guide on the Fourth Commandment. Please check the UCG-Luzon D-6 FB Messenger for updates on activities.
 
Women’s Club
The Women’s Club had its first meeting for the current club year last February 18 at the Church Activity Center, QC.  The next Club meetings are scheduled for April 1 and 29.
 
Spokesman Club
The UCG-Luzon Spokesman Club had its first meeting for the current club year last February 18 at the Church Activity Center, QC. The next Club meetings are scheduled for April 1 and 29. For Club members who cannot be present in person, participation will be made possible via Zoom. Please check the UCG-Luzon Spokesman Club FB Messenger for your assignments and updates. 
 
Young Adults Bible Forum, Feb 24
For this year, the UCG-Philippines Young Adults monthly meeting will focus on the UCG Bible Study Course with the first session scheduled for tonight, February 24 at 6:30 p.m. UCG-Mindanao Pastor, Roy Gilos, will be the facilitator. All YA’s are encouraged to download the lessons and actively participate in this year’s program. Copies of the lessons in a ring-binder may also be requested through Ms. Stella Cambare (The lessons are free; you just have to pay for the binder.) Please check the UCG – Philippines Young Adults FB Messenger for exciting updates and details.
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