A s we go about our daily lives,we seldom consider howmuch evidence there is of

powerful unseen energy all around us.We cannot see the air we breathe,

yet without it planes would not fly,tyres could not absorb the bumps on aroad, and we could not fill our lungswith oxygen. For hundreds of yearsthe movement of air has turned wind-mills to grind grain for bread. Today itis also increasingly used to generateelectricity.

Electricity too is an invisiblepower. How many of our machinesand gadgets depend upon the electronflow that we have never seen?

Motors spin at high speed in hairdryers, vacuum cleaners and powerdrills. Lights brighten our homes andstreets – and computers distribute anddisplay information around the world as never before in history. All thisfrom a power we find hard to describe.Whether from wind, water, nuclear-power or coal-power generation, elec-tricity flows to accomplish tasks set bydesigners of our modern conveniencesand tools.

The effect of the non-physicalOur eyes are attuned to only a

small segment of light frequencies.Other sophisticated electronic equip-ment can enable us to measure anddetect additional physical qualitiesbeyond man’s visual capabilities.

It seems logical then that the spiritualrealm would be even harder to detect!

Yet the Scriptures tell us that ‘since the creation of the world God’s invisi-ble qualities – His eternal power anddivine nature – have been clearly seen,being understood from what has beenmade, so that men are without excuse’(Romans 1:20, New International Version).

Jesus Christ has experienced boththe physical and spiritual realm. Earlyin His ministry He stated that we areable to understand something of thespirit realm by noticing various effects,much as we detect the wind as itrushes through the trees: ‘The windblows where it wishes, and you hearthe sound of it, but cannot tell where itcomes from and where it goes. So iseveryone who is born of the Spirit’(John 3:8).Qualities shown in our lives

Jesus Christ’s life, recorded for us in the writings of the New Testament,helps us understand who the Father is,and how He reacts and behaves. Helived in Jesus through the power of theSpirit of God. The words Christ spokeand the works He performed, includ-ing miracles, healings and raising peo-ple from the dead, proved His divinenature and reliance on the Father(John 10:38; 14:10-11).

We are told that Jesus Christ revealsthe Father to whoever He wishes(Matthew 11:27), and we should learnabout Him by the way Jesus lived His

The British & European Supplement to

May/June 2010

Published by the United Church of God – British Isles. Address: The Good News, PO Box 705, Watford WD19 6FZ.

Telephone: 01494 875003. Fax: 020 8386 1999. Website: www.ucg.org.uk.

What We Can’t See Can Help Us!Every day invisible physical forces affect the way we live.

There are also unseen spiritual powers that can influence us for good. Read on to find out how.

Wind power has served man for millennia

life as a human being.‘If you keep My commandments,

you will abide in My love, just as Ihave kept My Father’s commandmentsand abide in His love’ (John 15:10).

The apostle Peter wrote that Jesuslived, ‘leaving us an example, that [we]should follow His steps: ‘Who commit-ted no sin, nor was deceit found in Hismouth’ (1 Peter 2:21-22).Christ can live in us today

After observing the annual Passover,the Church keeps the seven Days ofUnleavened Bread, signifying that weshould seek to leave sin behind andimitate Christ’s sinless life. In God’scalendar, these days precede the day ofPentecost, or Feast of Firstfruits, byabout two months. To find when toobserve the Feast of First-fruits we are told to countseven Sabbaths from whenthe wave sheaf is offered.

Jesus Christ was thefirst to be raised from thedead to immortality. Hewas offered to God, likethe wave sheaf, the day after theSabbath that occurred during UnleavenedBread. This is on the first day of theweek. Jesus was the first of the harvestof humanity to be glorified (John 20:11-19;Romans 8:29; Colossians 1:18).

As a result of Christ now being withthe Father, we have the privilege of theFather’s and Christ’s continual presencein our lives through the indwelling ofthe Holy Spirit (John 15:26, 16:7).

In John 14:23 Jesus made this plain:‘Jesus answered and said to him, If aman loves me, he will keep my words:and my Father will love him, and wewill come to him, and make our abodewith him.’

Paul’s life confirmed this. ‘I am cru-cified with Christ: nevertheless I live;yet not I, but Christ lives in me: and thelife which I now live in the flesh I liveby the faith of the Son of God, who loved

me, and gave himself for me’ (Galat-ians 2:20, emphasis added).Fruit of the spirit

We become God’s spiritual childrenthrough a process: repentance (chang-ing our lives to conform to God’s wayof life); water baptism (an outwardsymbol of the death of the old self); andthen the laying on of hands (a faithfulminister asks God to unite His HolySpirit with our minds).

This is explained further in ourbooklet Transforming Your Life: TheProcess of Conversion. Please write fora copy or download it.

The positive spiritual attributes thathelp us to live a Christian life then leadus in what was known in the apostles’time as ‘The Way’. Contrary to the neg-ative forces of an evil and self-centred

society, Paul writes:‘But the fruit of the Spirit is love,

joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.Against such things there is no law.Those who belong to Christ Jesus havecrucified the sinful nature with its pas-sions and desires. Since we live by theSpirit, let us keep in step with theSpirit’ (Galatians 5:22-25).

The power of the Holy Spirit is fargreater than physical forces like gravity,wind or electricity. It does, however,work with us by leading us in the rightdirection. We are told that a true Christianis one led by this Spirit (Romans 8:9),and to be consistent with God’s mind,we must be obedient to Him to receiveit (Acts 5:32).

When we meet family or friendswho knew us before this transition, theymay wonder why we do not go to theexcesses we used to. Our lifestyle has

changed (1 Peter 4:4) and the transitionis miraculous.Forces for good

Let’s consider five benefits Godgives us from His invisible power, theextension of His very nature:Peace of mind that others cannotunderstand. When Jesus said that Hispeace would be with us, He said so at atime of great adversity just before Hisdeath (John 14:27). In the world Hisfollowers will have trouble, and yet stillhave peace of mind (16:33). That is apowerful positive force!A love greater than human love. Thelove of God is spread through the HolySpirit in us (Romans 5:5), and it isshown in action by our respect for Godand others by keeping the command-

ments (1 John 5:3). This kind oflove enables us even to love ourenemies and do good to thosewho spitefully use us (Matthew5:44). Consider the value andpower of this attribute!Understanding the Scriptures.The word of God should not be

interpreted through our own biasedviewpoint (2 Peter 1:19-21). When weallow God’s Spirit to guide us, we candiscern the very thoughts and intents ofthe heart (Hebrews 4:12). Protection from evil. As a lovingparent, God the Father is concernedabout the development of His children.He will keep us from the evil one, the devil (2 Thessalonians 3:1-5; Jude 1:24). Satan looks for the weakChristian just as a lion looks for easyprey in the wild. Yet by using the powerof God to resist evil, the devil will fleeeven from us mere mortals (James 4:7).Kept safe until Christ returns.Knowing that the leader and head of theChurch, Jesus Christ, has alreadyovercome the world is very comforting.He also tells us through the apostles Hetrained that God has the unseen powerto keep us safe until His return. Theloving community known as the

2 The British & European Supplement to The Good News

We have the privilege of the Father’s and Christ’s continual

presence in our lives through theindwelling of the Holy Spirit.

(Continued on page 6)

For a supposedly secular society,Britain retains some strange super-stitious undercurrents. Most will

be aware of the activities at Stonehengeduring the summer solstice. Yet through-out the year, there are many other placeswhere thousands of visitors seek solaceand spiritual inspiration.Pleas to powerless gods

Within a couple of miles or so of eachother on the north coast of Cornwallare two such ‘spiritual’ places. RockyValley, between Tintagel and Boscastle,boasts two labyrinthine designs carvedinto a rock face, which may date fromthe Bronze Age. Here visitors haveplaced lighted candles, flowers andother objects into crevices in the sur-rounding rock, hung dream catchers andwind chimes in nearby trees, and tiedpieces of fabric, messages and prayersto the bushes.

These attempts to communicate witha greater power show an ignorance ofthe true God and a lack of trust in those

who purport to represent Him.This is echoed two miles or so

upstream at Saint Nectan’s Kieve(a little-used word meaning ‘basin’),where the River Trevillet tumbles in a60-foot high waterfall into a plunge

pool, then flows through a natural circu-lar arch into a further pool several feetbelow. There, bushes along the river aresimilarly bedecked with ribbons, notesand prayers. Howeverhere visitors have alsoremoved flat stonesfrom the river, placedthem on the rockyledges, sometimes inpiles and often havingfirst written messageson them.

Described as oneof the most spiritualplaces in Britain, itseems likely that Saint

Nectan, after who the glen is named, didnot even exist and the name is in fact a‘Christianised’ form of the Celtic watergod Nechtan (Cornwall being a Celtic

area of Britain).The communications and

messages left there (severalrelating very sad occurrences)certainly indicate that the authorshad no idea that there is a realGod, who stands ready to helpall those who diligently seekHim.

So many have lost sight ofthe God our nation once claimed

to worship and instead seem to beturning for comfort and solace tosuperstitious beliefs and ancient

practices that have no founda-tion and can give no hope. Tolearn more about the true Godand to prove for yourself whetheror not He really exists, pleaserequest or download our freebooklets Who Is God? and Life’sUltimate Question: Does GodExist?

Barbara Fenney

Seeking Spiritual SolaceSo many in Britain have lost sight of the God our nation once claimed to worship

and have turned to superstitious beliefs and ancient practices

May/June 2010 3

Top: Part of the north coast of Cornwall, whereCeltic superstition lives onAbove: Chimes and dream catchersLeft: Carved design on rock faceBottom: Prayers and messages to traditionaldeities written on stones

4 The British & European Supplement to The Good News

The 18th-century English poetAlexander Pope once said, ‘Toerr is human; to forgive, divine.’

Forgiveness is indeed one of the attributesof God and one which we, as Christians,should reflect. It is also a paradox inthis world, in that holding onto grudgesis often seen as a sign of strength. YetIndian philosopher Mahatma Gandhi said:‘The weak can never forgive. Forgive-ness is the attribute of the strong.’

In God the Father andJesus Christ, we have the bestexample of how to forgive. In the prayer Christ gave asan outline, He prayed, ‘For-give us our debts, as we forgiveour debtors’ (Matthew 6:12).

He explained to his disci-ples, ‘If you forgive men their tres-passes, your heavenly Father willalso forgive you. But if you do notforgive men their trespasses, neitherwill your Father forgive your tres-passes.’

This is further shown by thepsalmist describing God’s forgivenessof our sins, ‘He does not treat us as oursins deserve or repay us according toour iniquities. For as high as the heav-ens are above the earth, so great is Hislove for those who fear him; as far asthe east is from the west, so far has Heremoved our transgressions from us’(Psalm 103:10-12, NIV).

Wikipedia, the online encyclopedia,describes forgiveness as ‘the process ofconcluding resentment, indignation oranger as a result of a perceived offense,difference or mistake, and/or ceasing todemand punishment or restitution.’

The Oxford English Dictionarydefines forgiveness as ‘to grant free

pardon and to give up all claim onaccount of an offence or debt’.Benefits of forgiving others

So if we forgive others, God willforgive us. This understanding canbring great peace of mind. However,there are other benefits of forgivingsomeone who has caused us distress,loss or damage.

Alexandra Asseily, author of ‘The

Garden of Forgiveness in Beirut’ wrote,‘Forgiveness allows us to let go of thepain in the memory and if we let go ofthe pain in the memory we can have the memory but it does not control us.When memory controls us we are thenthe puppets of the past.’

Katherine M. Piderman, Ph.D, ofthe Mayo Clinic based in Arizona, Flo-rida and Minnesota, is attributed withwriting, ‘There’s no one definition offorgiveness. But in general, forgivenessis a decision to let go of resentmentsand thoughts of revenge. Forgiveness is the act of untying yourself fromthoughts and feelings that bind you tothe offence committed against you. This can reduce the power these feel-ings otherwise have over you so thatyou can live a freer and happier life inthe present. Forgiveness can even leadto feelings of understanding, empathyand compassion for the one who hurtyou’ (Internet, 8 December 2007).

So forgiveness can lead to a greaterunderstanding of the human condition,perhaps the kind of compassion that ledto Christ’s words on the cross: ‘Father,forgive them, for they do not knowwhat they do.’ That empathy with us isnecessary in Jesus Christ’s role as ourIntercessor with God the Father. ‘Nowthat we know what we have – Jesus,this great High Priest with ready accessto God – let’s not let it slip through our

fingers. We don’t have a priestwho is out of touch with our real-ity. He’s been through weaknessand testing, experienced it all –all but the sin. So let’s walk rightup to him and get what He is soready to give. Take the mercy,accept the help (Hebrews 4:14-16,

The Message).Forgiveness is challenging

Vesela Simic in The Challenge ofForgiveness cites the work of TomFarrow, a lecturer in psychiatric neuro-imaging at the University of Sheffield,and Peter Woodruff, director of theSheffield Cognition and NeuroimagingLaboratory. She writes: ‘Their workreveals that whenever subjects chose toforgive, areas in the emotional limbiccentre of the brain, similar to areasalready mapped for empathy, were acti-vated. When subjects were asked aboutthe fairness of transgressions, however,they found it more difficult to forgiveand the limbic brain was less active.’

The apostle James points out, ‘Whois wise and understanding among you?Let him show by good conduct that hisworks are done in the meekness of wis-dom. But if you have bitter envy andself-seeking in your hearts, do not boast

As far as the east is fromthe west, so far has He removed

our transgressions from us

Understanding ForgivenessThe Holy Scriptures tell Christians that we should forgive,

but how can we achieve this difficult task?

and lie against the truth. This wisdomdoes not descend from above, but isearthly, sensual, demonic. For whereenvy and self-seeking exist, confusionand every evil thing are there. But thewisdom that is from above is first pure,then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield,full of mercy and good fruits, withoutpartiality and without hypocrisy. Nowthe fruit of righteousness is sown inpeace by those who make peace’(James 3:13-18, emphasis added).

Forgiving an injustice, even quitean insignificant injustice, may not bean easy task. It is something theChristian needs to learn from Christ,who truly understands our weaknesses.‘In all things He had to be made likeHis brethren, that He might be a merci-ful and faithful High Priest inthings pertaining to God, tomake propitiation [atonement]for the sins of the people. Forin that He Himself has suf-fered, being tempted, He isable to aid those who aretempted’ (Hebrews 2:17-18).Not condoning

When God forgives us for not livingup to His standards (Romans 3:23) thisdoes not mean He condones sin. In thesame way, one of the hardest aspects offorgiveness on the human level is for usto grasp that the effects of harsh wordsor angry behaviour do not suddenlybecome nullified. The forgiver does notcondone the offence. This is particularlyimportant when serious harm or damagehas been committed. Forgiving is notthe same as simply forgetting what hap-pened. The act that hurt or offendedsomeone may always remain a part ofhis or her life.

But forgiveness can lessen its gripon us and help us focus on other posi-tive parts of our life. Forgiveness alsodoes not mean that responsibility forhurting someone is ignored. We, as Goddoes, can forgive someone withoutexcusing the act.

Our sins against one another do not

exact a penalty as great as the price thatwas paid by Christ so that we could beforgiven of our own sins: ‘You were notredeemed with corruptible things, likesilver or gold, from your aimless con-duct received by tradition from yourfathers, but with the precious blood ofChrist, as of a lamb without blemish andwithout spot’ (1 Peter 1:18-19).

‘In Him we have redemptionthrough His blood, the forgiveness of sins,according to the riches of His grace’(Ephesians 1:7).

The one who forgives should prayfor an offender, ‘love your enemies,bless those who curse you, do good tothose who hate you, and pray for thosewho spitefully use you and persecuteyou’ (Matthew 5:44). And if we have

offended, we should pray for and, ifappropriate, make reparations to one we have hurt. The process of forgiving

As with many aspects of Christianlife, forgiveness is a growth process, onefrom which we learn.

Dr Robert Enright of the InternationalForgiveness Institute, gives four majorphases that lead to forgiveness.

‘(1) The uncovering phase: the oneoffended feels and explores the pain,which can eventually be recognised aslimited.

‘(2) The decision phase: the optionto forgive is considered.

‘(3) The work phase: the entire con-text of the hurtful situation is rephrased.This often leads to empathy and com-passion and involves acceptance andabsorption of the pain.

‘(4) The final phase: this occurswhen the individual experiences healingand realises forgiveness.’

The apostle Paul, writing to theChurch at Colosse, instructed: ‘Therefore,as the elect of God, holy and beloved,put on tender mercies, kindness, humil-ity, meekness, longsuffering; bearingwith one another, and forgiving oneanother, if anyone has a complaintagainst another; even as Christ forgaveyou, so you also must do’ (Colossians3:12-13).

How often should we forgive some-one, or hope for Christian forgiveness?

When Simon Peter asked Christ,‘How often shall my brother sin againstme, and I forgive him? Up to seventimes?’ Christ replied, ‘up to seventytimes seven’ (Matthew 18:21-22).

Christ expresses the same sentimentin Luke 17:4, ‘If he sins against you

seven times in a day, andseven times in a dayreturns to you, saying, “Irepent,” you shall forgivehim.’

Modern psychologyconcurs with this.According to Dr

Frederick Luskin, forgiveness does notrequire reconciliation before it is given;it is not about forgetting or condoningan unkind act. Rather, ‘forgivenessmeans that unkindness stops with you.’He also says that forgiveness is not aone-time response: ‘It’s about becominga forgiving person.’

We might ask, ‘How often will Godforgive us?’ None of us would wantGod to stop at ‘seventy times seven’ butto forgive us every time we slip up andsin during our walk as Christians.

Paul encourages us all: ‘Thereforebe imitators of God, as belovedchildren. And walk in love, asChrist loved us and gave himselfup for us, a fragrant offering andsacrifice to God’ (Ephesians 5:1-2).Learning to forgive

Forgiveness is a commitment to aprocess of change. Depending on theseriousness of the offense, it can bedifficult and it can take time. Everyonemoves toward forgiveness a little differ-

May/June 2010 5

Love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who

spitefully use you and persecute you

ently. One starting point is to recognisethe value of forgiveness and its impor-tance in our lives at a given time.

Another is to reflect on the facts ofthe situation, such as how we havereacted and how this combination hasaffected our lives, our health and ourwell-being. Then, as we are ready, wecan actively choose to forgive the onewho has seriously offended us.

In this way, we move away fromour role as a victim and release our-selves, with God’s help, from the con-trol and power the offence has had overus in our lives.

Forgiveness also means that wechange old patterns of beliefs andactions that are driven by bitterness. Aswe let go of grudges, we will no longerdefine our lives by how we have beenhurt. Instead we should find ways to becompassionate and full of understand-ing. Galatians 5:22-26 lists the fruit ofthe Spirit, and some can be hindered bythe bitterness of being unforgiving.A Christian duty

It is our duty as Christians to learnto forgive. More important, by practis-ing forgiveness we become more likeour Father. Remember, we may call on

God at any time for His help to assist usto forgive.

We also know there is a higherauthority who will one day handle anyinjustices we may have experiencedalong the way. In the end, if we do notforgive someone, by our bitterness andanger we may end up hurting othersclose to us. Especially we hurt our-selves. Rarely are we hurting the onewe consider to be the offender.

One day God will send Jesus Christback to correct this society and removeall injustice. Sinners will need to repent.In the meantime, while we may be hurtby the words and actions of the uncon-verted and sometimes the converted,Christ gave the apostle John a wonder-ful vision of a future age.

‘God will wipe away every tearfrom their eyes; there shall be no moredeath, nor sorrow, nor crying. Thereshall be no more pain, for the formerthings have passed away. Then He whosat on the throne said, “Behold, I makeall things new.” And He said to me,“Write, for these words are true andfaithful”’ (Revelation 21:4-5).

Such a glorious future will be oursif, as a part of our Christian growth, wecan learn to forgive as our Father inheaven does.

David Payne

6 The British & European Supplement toThe Good News

Forgiveness andHealth

Researchers have recently becomeinterested in studying the effects on healthof being unforgiving and being forgiving.Evidence is mounting that holding on togrudges and bitterness results in long-term health problems. Forgiveness, on theother hand, offers numerous benefits,including:• Lower blood pressure • Stress reduction • Lower heart rate • Fewer depression symptoms • Fewer anxiety symptoms • Less hostility • Better anger-management skills • Lower risk of alcohol/substance abuse • Reduction in chronic pain • More friendships • Healthier relationships • Greater religious/spiritual wellbeing • Improved psychological wellbeingClearly there are significant physicalbenefits to having a forgiving nature. It is even more important from a spiritualpoint of view. Be sure to request or down-load Transforming Your Life: The Processof Conversion.

Church, although consisting of con-verted yet fallible men and women, isprotected and guided by Him. Jesus’own half-brother Jude wrote: ‘Offerpraise to God our Saviour because ofour Lord Jesus Christ! Only God cankeep you from falling and make youpure and joyful in his glorious presence.Before time began and now andforevermore, God is worthy of glory,honour, power, and authority. Amen’(Jude 1:24-25 CEV).Invisible but effective

Many effects of God’s spiritualpower in us are evidenced throughactions done while only God watches.

Jesus used the example of giving

alms or offerings to God (Matthew 6:1-6).We are not to seek the praise of men asdid the Pharisees. And sometimes thesmallest offering is actually the greatest.Christ recognised and ensured that thewidow’s offering to God was recordedfor us as a lesson. It was greater propor-tionately than the funds deposited byrich men (Mark 12:42-44).

Such works may often be unrecog-nised for now, performed using thepower of an invisible force for good(God’s Spirit) but in the future they willbe revealed as an example for humanityto learn from.

Then the power of God’s Spirit toenable us to become like Christ will be

revealed in us by the first resurrection(1 Corinthians 15:23, 50-54; Philip-pians 3:20-21; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17). The Father and the Son await ourtransition to be like Christ in glory (1 John 3:1-2).

How helpful it is that we are givenspiritual power to examine ourselvesand our own conduct! There are indeedinvisible forces like the wind that evi-dence physical power. The behaviour oftrue Christians, however, should be evi-dence of a far greater power. It is work-ing in the world for the good of allhumanity as God prepares us as HisChurch!

Peter Hawkins

What You Can’t See (Continued from page 2)

May/June 2010 7

Questions & AnswersQHow important is it to attend

Church?B H, Seaton

AThe New Testament encour-ages Christians to assembletogether regularly. One epistle

specifically tells us: ‘Let us considerone another in order to stir up love andgood works, not forsaking the assem-bling of ourselves together, as is themanner of some, but exhorting oneanother, and so much the more as yousee the Day approaching’ (Hebrews10:24-25).

The Old Testament expresses thesame thought in the form of the com-mand: ‘Six days shall work be done, but the seventh day is a Sabbath ofsolemn rest, a holy convocation [or‘commanded assembly,’ New Inter-national Version]. You shall do no workon it; it is the Sabbath of the Lord inall your dwellings’ (Leviticus 23:3).

Observing God’s Sabbath is one ofthe most basic beliefs – so fundamentalthat it is enshrined as one of the TenCommandments. (Download or writefor our free booklet Sunset to Sunset:God’s Sabbath Rest.)

The Bible makes it clear that God’sChurch keeps His law. It is describedprophetically as a group of people ‘whokeep the commandments of God andhave the testimony of Jesus Christ’(Revelation 12:17). You may wish toask for our free booklet Fundamental

Beliefs of the United Church of God.We should understand that the

Church is not a building. The glossaryof the Translator’s New Testamentplainly tells us: ‘“Church” in NT nevermeans “building”. It always representseither a group of committed Christiansin any given locality [who] met to prac-tice their religion, or the totality of thesegroups scattered throughout the world’(pp. 557-558).

The apostle Paul defines theChurch as simply ‘the body of Christ’(1 Corinthians 12:12, 27). It is a spiri-tual organism, not a physical edifice ororganisation. Members of the Churchwent to the building where they met, ora congregation met in someone’s houseif the numbers were small (Romans16:5; 1 Corinthians 1:19).

By way of an analogy, Paul likensthe Church to the parts of the humanbody (1 Corinthians 12:12-27). He showshow each part is dependent on the oth-ers. ‘By one Spirit [the Holy Spirit] wewere all baptised into one body.’

This mutual care for one another isbiblical. The apostle Paul urged theCorinthian members to ‘have the samecare one for another’ (1 Corinthians12:25). Yet it should always be remem-bered that our relationships with othermembers of the Church begin and endin our fellowship with God the Fatherand His Son Jesus Christ (1 John 1:3, 7).

We have fellowship with each otheronly in and through our spiritual rela-tionship with the Father and Jesus Christ.

The first four of the Ten Commandmentsexpress our love for God, the last sixour love for humankind. The apostleJohn points out the folly of trying tohave one without the other (1 John 4:20).

Expressing proper love for the mem-bership of the Church is an awesomeresponsibility. Jesus Christ, the founderof the Christian Church (Matthew16:18), did say: ‘By this shall all menknow that you are My disciples, thatyou have love one for another’ (John13:35). It is of utmost importance thatwe extend warmth and friendliness toother members of the spiritual Body,especially to visitors and new members.

The Church is a subject well worthstudying in much greater detail. That iswhy the United Church of God has pub-lished an extensively researched bookletsimply titled The Church Jesus Built.

Also, to understand the messageJesus taught, and which He commandedHis Church to proclaim, please requestyour free copy of The Gospel of theKingdom. The four booklets advertisedin this column are all available free ofcharge by writing to our UK office at P O Box 705, Watford WD19 6UT.

A word of qualification: If you wantto attend one of our Sabbath servicesbut find that you live too far away, wecan send out sermons on DVD andaudio MP3 CDs to help in these circum-stances. Beginning in the next fewmonths, we are also hoping to providelive services over the Internet for thosewith broadband access.

How our literature is fundedThe United Church of God – British Isles is registered as a charity in England and Wales (number 1079192), and inIreland (CHY17954). The publication of this Supplement and other literature is funded by the generosity of members ofthe Church, co-workers and our readers. Following Jesus Christ’s instruction (Matthew 10:8), it is supplied free of chargeso that His message can be made available to all. We are grateful to those who assist financially in the work done byThe Good News. Donations may be sent to: United Church of God, PO Box 705, WATFORD WD19 6FZ, UnitedKingdom, donated online at www.ucg.org.uk/donate.html, or by phoning 01494-875003 and using your credit card.

8 The British & European Supplement to The Good News

Letters From Our Readers‘Alarm Bells Are Ringing!’

When I read The British &European Supplement to The GoodNews on the topic of ‘Alarm Bells AreRinging!’ by Paul Suckling, it remindsme to live every day as if it were mylast day alive on the planet.

J A, Milton KeynesThe Good News

The Good News magazines are veryenlightening. I am grateful to God forthis service to humanity, in drawing ourattention to the God who created andcontrols everything. It will be to ourbenefit to pay attention to the messagesin your magazines and booklets.

S A, Norbury, London

Thank you for the March/April edi-tion of The Good News. I am findingthis publication very informative andeasy to understand. I enclose a dona-tion.

P M C, Halesowen

God Almighty will continue to bless you, guide you and uplift youspiritually as you continue to reach outto people with The Good News. I amrichly blessed by it and so is anyonewho comes into contact with it.

A I, Camberwell

Thank you for sending me a copy ofThe Good News. I am enjoying readingarticles on practical aspects of living asa Christian in today’s multifaith andincreasingly corrupt society. Prophecyalso seems to be a neglected area in somany churches, including mine.

J W, Leicester

Questions about the ChurchHow do I find a Church that lives

and shares in God’s annual Holy Days?S L, London

I became a Christian in 1995, butdid not know the truth about keepingGod’s commandments and was nottaught this truth in church. I discoveredon the Internet that God did not doaway with His law, and that one showslove to God by obedience to His laws. I desire fellowship, but I am reallyunsure about going to church. Church-goers do not even know the Word, justas I did not know it. I really want to bearound believers that live what Godactually teaches, learn about His feastsand keep His commandments. I haveemailed the nearest United Church ofGod congregation, which is in London.Can you help me?

T B, Internet

• We appreciate receiving queries ofthis kind. First, the United Church ofGod observes all of the biblical HolyDays and annual festivals as describedin both the Old and New Testaments.Our free booklet God’s Holy Day Plan:The Promise of Hope for All Mankindexplains how to keep each one of God’sfestivals. A description of the Churchitself can be obtained by asking foranother free booklet, This Is the UnitedChurch of God.

We have responded to the first readerby posting the appropriate literatureand to the second by an email. If readershave further questions of this nature,please feel free to telephone our officeat 01494 875003.

Bible Study CourseThank you very much for the good

work. I am getting a lot of help fromthese Bible lessons. I enclose a smalldonation towards your wonderful work.Pray for me that God will give meknowledge and understanding of Hiswords, so that one day I will be a bless-ing to others.

M A, Northampton• We are praying that you will receivethis understanding.

I have read the Bible all my life, butnow with so much more understanding.I love the Bible Study Course, yourbooklets and magazines. I feel excitedby the Bible and its prophecies for thefuture.

A H, BourneThank you so much. This course is

helping me more than anything. It isclearing up a lot of things I didn’t knowor understand. I feel like I can reallystart to reach God and talk to Himwhere before I felt cut off. This is abrilliant study.

C R, StalybridgeGrateful to God’s Church

We all wish to be in the futureKingdom to come as sons and daugh-ters of God the Father Almighty. Onceagain I greet you in joy and happinessand hope you are all well and in goodspirits. This time I would like to sendmy great and heartfelt thanks to all whohave prayed for me, and given theirlove and support [in anticipation of anoperation] . . . I hope to answer thosewho have given a return address. Thisis early to be sending an offering forPentecost, but I’m enclosing a cheque.

J H W-G, Isle of Man