Treasure Digest

• Let's Be Zealous!
• Keep Praying!
• The Night Watches
• Turning the Hearts... "Oh, You're Backpackers!"
• Be Ready to Give an Answer: Why Do You Talk So Much About Israel? Doesn't God Love Gentiles?

Let's Be Zealous!

When it comes to world events, are we still as zealous about watching things unfold as we were in years past? Or, after all these years, do we subconsciously feel, "I've watched for so long, and I've gotten so excited only to be let down. I just don't have the energy to get excited again"?

Matthew 24:42-44 says: "Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming. But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect."

Thieves usually come in the middle of the night when people are sleeping. Christ tells us that our state of mind is to be one of watchfulness, and we are to stay ready so we won't be caught off-guard.

So, then, what are some things we can do to make sure we're awake and watching and staying zealous as we see prophetic events unfold?

1. Be watchful.

Today the resources are readily available to help us stay on top of what's going on throughout the world. The Church has resources available such as World News and Prophecy and the "Current World News & Trends" section on our Web site that is updated regularly (www.ucg.org/worldnews/).

2. Ask God for zeal.

The principle found in James 1:5 applies. If we don't feel we're as zealous as we should be, we can go to God and ask Him for zeal. And He'll give it to us.

3. Be involved in the work.

When we're involved in helping the Church to proclaim the gospel of the Kingdom to this world, our minds are less focused on ourselves. We get excited about seeing the work grow, and that in turn helps generate zeal.

Every day we're closer than ever to the glorious return of Jesus Christ and the time when He'll end all the problems that are just going to get worse from here. What a wonderful future God has in store for us and the entire world! So let's be watchful, ask God for the zeal we need and continue to do our part in the Church's commission.

Let's be zealous!

— Dave PerMar
Ocala, Florida, congregation

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Keep Praying!

Twelve years ago, I endured a painful trial that turned into one of the highlights of my life. There is a valuable lesson we need to embrace: When life brings discouragements, keep praying!

Having recently married, I was suddenly laid off. Devastated, I quickly found an opening. Yet it paid far less than my previous job. Then driving home from the interview, my car's electrical system went haywire. "Why now?!" went racing through my mind. The engine died, and I coasted off the pavement and stopped. This was the final straw: I slumped on the steering wheel and prayed in desperation, "God, I need help, and I need it now!"

Just then, I noticed a white car pulling around mine. Rolling down his window, the driver asked, "Do you need help?" Having just uttered these exact words, I exclaimed, "Are you an angel?" This truly was one of the most dramatic answers to prayer I have ever received, and surely the fastest! God answers, if we keep praying.

When life comes fast and furious, stress seems overwhelming! Bad things do happen to God's people. And while we should be wise and avoid trials, time and chance happen to all, as Solomon wrote (Ecclesiastes 9:11). Frankly, troubles are a natural part of life for mankind (Job 5:7), as well as for Christians (John 16:33). It is all too easy to lose faith and give in to discouragement, as I had done.

And yet, we have this promise in Hebrews 13:5, "I will never leave you, nor forsake you!" Jesus also promised us, "I am with you always, even to the end of the age" (Mathew 28:20). And when life feels like that final heavy straw that forces our heads down in despair, God promises to help us bear our trials by providing us a "way of escape" (1 Corinthians 10:13). Have we prayed for that way of escape for others, as well as for ourselves?

Since 1993, I have passed that exit hundreds of times driving to church. And I always smile... for I remember that July day when God answered my prayer so dramatically. I know God has not changed. He is the same today, yesterday and forever! (Hebrews 13:8). He reigns on His throne. He waits to hear from you and me... and He will answer!

Please be encouraged... and keep praying!

— John Fox
Salt Lake City, Utah, congregation

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The Night Watches

There were two ways of observing the nighttime (watches) described in the Bible. In the New Testament under the Roman rule, the dark time was divided into four periods, as in Mark 13:35:

"Watch therefore, for you do not know when the master of the house is coming—in the evening, at midnight, at the crowing of the rooster, or in the morning."

First watch: in the evening (sunset until 9 p.m.).

Second watch: at midnight (9 until midnight).

Third watch: at the crowing of the rooster (midnight until 3 a.m.).

Fourth watch: in the morning (3 until 6 a.m.).

So when Matthew 14:25 and Mark 6:48 describe Jesus as walking on the sea in "the fourth watch of the night," we know it was early morning.

And when we are admonished to be watching for the master's return in Luke 12:38, "if he should come in the second watch, or come in the third watch," we see it could be anywhere from 9 p.m. until 3 a.m. And when Christ told Peter he would deny Him "before the rooster crows" in Matthew 26:34, it seems it was sometime after midnight and before 3 a.m. (It must have been a long night for Peter.)

But in the Old Testament there were only three divisions of the night of four hours each:

Lamentations 2:19: "At the beginning of the watches" (sunset to 10 p.m.).

Judges 7:19 mentions "the beginning of the middle watch" (10 p.m. to 2 a.m.).

Exodus 14:24 and 1 Samuel 11:11 mention " the morning watch" (2 a.m. to sunrise).

In Psalm 90:4 David wrote: "For a thousand years in Your sight are like yesterday when it is past, and like a watch in the night." And if for some reason we lie awake during the night, our thoughts need to be focused on God and not our problems. David's example in Psalm 63:6 is "I meditate on You in the night watches."

—Frieda Iiams
Coeur d'Alene, Idaho/Spokane, Washington congregation

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Turning the Hearts
"Oh, You're Backpackers!"

Recently I received a letter with an article about turning the hearts of family members to each other. I felt the article offers some tips for family bonding and would like to share it with you.

Gary E. Antion

Several years ago I was sitting in the bleachers watching a Church youth sporting event in which my children were participating. The lady sitting next to me turned and said, "I just love your children! How come you have such neat kids?" I sat in stunned silence, not knowing how to answer. Then she said, "Oh, you're backpackers!" and turned her attention back to the game.

Shortly after that an article appeared in a Church publication that focused on our youth. The article decried the overemphasis on winning in sports. It said that there should be activities that everyone could win. But it failed to mention just what that might be. Backpacking could be an answer.

For over a quarter century, our family has been involved in such activities as backpacking, bike touring, canoeing and cross-country skiing. We can see many benefits to human-powered vacations.

The first thing that comes to mind is seeing and appreciating the beauty, intricacy and interdependence in God's creation. Backpacking takes us through wilderness areas slowly and allows us to take time to really see things that we might only glance at in our normal routines.

If we spend the Sabbath on the trail, we stay in camp and talk of God's creation. We look at the symbiotic relationship of the plants and insects we see. It is easy to talk of God's creation and debunk evolution while on such excursions.

Backpacking also teaches personal involvement and teamwork. Everyone is involved in every aspect of the endeavor. Each must carry his or her own backpack. There is no place for negative teasing or bickering. Boredom is nonexistent. We learn to help and count on each other. Nobody is too proud to accept a helping hand. It is a team effort.

In setting up camp or breaking down the camp, all are involved. We all help in the food preparation. When the whole family is involved, rapport is developed. This time away from our usual routine is a golden opportunity to bond. Being around each other on these outings allows us to teach our children about proper health and nutrition so they can have the energy to climb those hills with their packs on their backs. In that beautiful pristine environment, it is easy to teach against the negative effects of smoking, excessive alcohol and drugs.

Children develop a sense of confidence and self-worth. They learn to shoulder their responsibilities in facing the many challenges of the outdoors. Being with their parents on such outings allows children to relate and helps bridge the generation gap. We learn to appreciate each other's uniqueness and contributions to the success of the outing.

One grandson felt how important he was because he was carrying the evening meal for the family in his backpack. Another enjoyed his father's company on the hike back to the car after the trip. Then they both turned around and went back up the trail to help the rest of the family.

I see nothing but blessings from such experiences. Maybe it is a tradition your family should try.

— Gregory and Nancy Czech, Coeur d'Alene, Idaho/Spokane, Washington, congregation

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Be Ready to Give an Answer: Why Do You Talk So Much About Israel? Doesn't God Love Gentiles?

Yes, God does love gentiles, and He offers salvation to all nations (Galatians 3:8; 1 Timothy 2:4). The United Church of God takes the commission to preach to all nations seriously (Matthew 28:19), for example sending Good News magazines into 178 countries and territories and establishing congregations in 46 countries where God has called people to us.

Interestingly, the Bible talks a lot about both the promise of grace and about promises of national greatness that were to come through God's servant Abraham. We believe God fulfills all of His promises, and we try to take seriously all of His warnings.

The physical promises to Abraham involved physical greatness for his descendants: "I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great" (Genesis 12:1-2). These physical promises were eventually passed on to Joseph's two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, as birthright tribes of the nation of Israel (Genesis 48:15-19).

But because of Israel's sins, the blessings were withheld. There were only brief periods of greatness under a few righteous kings. But because of God's faithfulness, He eventually would bless Abraham's descendants with greatness. The descendants of Ephraim and Manasseh (who can be traced to Britain and the United States) have received the blessing of ascendance to national greatness. Ephraim has become a company of nations, and Manasseh has become a great nation. It is through these two that the prophecies of the Bible concerning Israel are being fulfilled (Genesis 48:16; 49:22-26). These prophecies include warnings to these nations.

Contained in the promises to Abraham was the promise of salvation to all men who would become Abraham's seed (his descendants). Paul understood that salvation was not just for Jews or Israelites, but for all humanity. He was shown that the "Seed" being referred to was Jesus Christ (Galatians 3:8, 14-16).

Paul also records that Jesus Christ came to confirm the promises made to the fathers and to cause the gentiles to glorify God (Romans 15:8-12).

The promise of salvation is not based on race, but on God's calling and individual repentance, regardless of race or national origin (Galatians 3:28).

For More Information, read or request our free booklets Fundamental Beliefs (chapter on "Promises to Abraham") and The United States and Britain in Bible Prophecy (www.ucg.org/booklets).

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Share Your Word Treasures!

Do you have any short items of biblical wisdom, humor or practical information that you would like to share in this section? Or if you have any suggestions, please contact United News, P.O. Box 541027, Cincinnati, OH 45254-1027 or mike_bennett@ucg.org