A Good Report (OCT-DEC 2025)

A GOOD REPORT OCT-DEC 2025

Contents

Why Intercessory Prayer?.................................................3 Focus on the Positive.........................................................5 Which Doctrines Are Required for Salvation?..............7 Forging: Shaped by the Master.......................................10 Our Strongest Link..........................................................12 Spiritual Cement Shoes...................................................13 Philippines Update: Feast of Tabernacles 2025............15 Mini Study: Ready to Give a Defense............................16 Special thanks to Hannah Wolford for her custom cover artwork depicting John 4:35 Do you not say, ‘There are still four months and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest!

Why This Magazine? This magazine takes inspiration from two key passages in scripture: Mark 1:14-15 and Philippians 4:8. The first passage shares the greatest news ever proclaimed —THE GOSPEL OF THE KINGDOM— while the second encourages a life that reflects those values and is pleasing to God. The Worldwide Church of God (WCG) produced a magazine called The Good News, which aimed to provide valuable support and encour- agement to those seeking the path to eternal life, while also proclaiming the good news of God’s soon-coming Kingdom. In the same spirit, A Good Report, published by the Church of God Assembly (CGA), seeks to car- ry on this commission, offering insight and encourage - ment to both our members and visitors. We trust you will find each issue informative, helpful and inspiring.

Contributors

Editor in Chief S. Monson Executive Editor G. Kaidannek Managing Editor P. Schexnayder

Writers Billy Wolford Brandon Buil

Greg Kaidannek Sheldon Monson Larry Alverio Daniel Sheppard

A Good Report is published quarterly by the Church of God Assembly. If your address has changed recently, please send an email to admin@coagassembly.org and include your old mailing address along with your new address. Or if you prefer, you can always send us your changes using our mailing address: Church of God Assembly 13600 W 95th St, Lenexa, KS, 66220

Why Intercessory Prayer? Sheldon Monson Prayer on behalf of others benefits not only those who are prayed for, but also those who pray for them.

D oes it really make a difference whether we pray for others? Are we obligated to pray for one another, or is it optional? Just what is the pur- pose of intercessory prayer? The Scriptures leave no doubt that we have a duty to pray for others. Paul was a good example of this. In Ephesians 1:15–16 he wrote: Therefore I also, after I heard

brethren pray for him and his com- panions. In his first letter to the Thessalonians he entreated the con- gregation, “Brethren, pray for us” (1 Thessalonians 5:25). Another fine example of interces - sory prayer was a member of the Church in Colossae named Epa- phras. We know little about this man. However, when Paul wrote to

for them? Job prayed for his friends even though they made unkind and false comments about him. Yet it was only after Job prayed for them that God blessed him (Job 42:10). In Matthew 5:44, Jesus said that we are to even “pray for those who spitefully use and persecute [us].” When Isaiah prophesied about the state of things at the end of the age—the age in which we live—no- tice what he wrote in Isaiah 59:14– 16: Justice is turned back, And righteousness stands afar off; For truth is fallen in the street, And equity cannot en - ter. So truth fails, And he who departs from evil makes himself a prey. Then the Lord saw it, and it displeased Him That there was no justice. He saw that there was no man, And won - dered that there was no inter - cessor; Therefore His own arm brought salvation for Him; And His own righteousness, it sustained Him.

God knows what our needs are even before we ask. Nevertheless, He still wants us to ask. the brethren in that city, he said of him in Colossians 4:12:

of your faith in the Lord Je - sus and your love for all the saints, do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers: And in his letter to the Church at Philippi he stated (Philippians 1:3– 4): I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine making re - quest for you all with joy, Continuing in verse 9, And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discern - ment, The apostle not only prayed for others; he also requested that the

Epaphras, who is one of you, a bondservant of Christ, greets you, always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. This man worked constantly and fervently praying for others. Did the prayers of Epaphras make a dif- ference as to whether the brethren grew to “stand perfect and complete in all the will of God”? If his prayers had no impact, God would not have inspired these vers- es to be written and included in the Bible. Scripture leaves no doubt that we are to pray for others. What about our relatives and un- converted people? Should we pray

Most of the time our prayers for those in the world should be geared towards their repentance and recog- nition of the truth (see II Timothy 2:24-25 and I Peter 3:8). It is also true that there are times when it serves no purpose to pray for people in the world. See what God instruct- ed Jeremiah in Jeremiah 7:16:

For even [jesus christ] did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” Of course, this does not mean it is wrong to pray for our own needs and wants. God tells us,

We are instructed to “bear one an- other’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2). God is building His Church and prepar- ing its members for important posi- tions in His soon-coming Kingdom. He is forming a Family that will rule the universe! If you want with all your heart to help someone who is sick and in need of healing, or is going through a severe trial, one of the most im- portant things you can do is pray for them. Fasting can also be em- ployed. Even when there is nothing you can do physically, you can still utilize intercessory prayer. “Greater love has no man than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends” (John 15:13). This life is temporary, and our lives are made up of a lim- ited amount of time. How much of that time do we spend praying for others? Intercessory prayer is a two-way street. If you have a need, ask some of your brothers and sisters in Christ to pray along with you. James, the brother of Christ, encouraged the brethren to pray for one another. James 5:15–16 states: And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has com - mitted sins, he will be forgiven. Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one an - other, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. One can plainly see: Praying for others is not a waste of time. God loves such unselfish, intercessory prayers and responds to them in mi- raculous ways!

therefore do not pray for this people, nor lift up a cry or prayer for them, nor make in - tercession to Me; for I will not hear you. The attitude of the people was so wrong, and their hearts so evil, that God would not spare them from the punishment they needed. But unless God makes it clearly evident, we should not assume this is the case. Balance and wisdom are required. So why is God particularly interest- ed in our prayers on behalf of the brethren? Because He wants us to focus on the needs of others rather than ourselves. God is interested in developing unity and teamwork among the future members of His Family. In Mark 10:45 it states:

“Be anxious for nothing, but in ev- erything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God” (Philippi- ans 4:6). In Matthew 7:7–8, we are told: Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. Of course, God knows what our needs are even before we ask (Mat- thew 6:8). Nevertheless, He still wants us to ask.

Focus on the Positive Billy Wolford “True Christians should always strive to have the right attitude. God wants His people to maintain a positive outlook all the time and He provides the tools to do so.”

sus Christ returning to establish His Kingdom. It’s easy to look at God’s Word and notice all the “thou shalt nots,” in- stead of the good that comes from obedience—the blessings that flow from living His way. Satan, the most negative being in existence, wants us tuned to his frequency. He wants us to think like him, act like him, be discouraged like him. He’ll use anything he can—even prophe- cy—to pull our eyes off the positive. Christian growth requires positive thinking. It requires trust that God will do what He has promised. With all the evil and trouble in the world David trusted that God would ful- fill His purpose. That same faith is available to us. today we must not become discour- aged. We can face our trials, tests, and difficulties with confidence. God’s Word is true. We can be posi- tive through all of it. Most people in the world today live in bondage through uncertain- ty, fear, worry, frustration, and an- ger. But God expects His people to be different. He has called us to a different way of life. We should have the most tranquil, peace-filled minds of all people—and God gives that peace as a gift. He also gives us the understanding of how to keep it in Philippians 4:8–9:

H ave you ever had an “except for” moment? You know “this is a great day - except for...” or “that was a wonderful experience, but…” I am sure everyone has but how many are we still carrying around? What is our focus? How do we present ourselves to oth- ers, what impressions do we leave? Do people think, “I feel uplifted!” Or are they crawling out from under the dark cloud we left behind? We can get stuck in the “except for” mindset. Everyone has had a bad week. Consider the following sce- nario: You have two cars in need of repairs, you fix it yourself and man - age to break more than you fixed. Allergy season hits at the same time causing no end of itchy water eyes, and to top it off you injure yourself while attempting to fix your ve -

hicle. In this scenario it would be difficult to maintain a positive at - titude. In such moments, it’s very easy to slip into negative thinking; focusing on only the problems, ig- noring the solutions. Our view gets tainted - we see what is wrong in the world around us, at work, in our relationships and sometimes even in ourselves. The struggle with our attitudes is real. God’s Desire Is that the mindset God desires for us? Quiet negativity can subtly creep into or slip into our spiritual lives. We can focus on fulfilled prophe - cy, times of trouble ahead, and the hardships coming upon the world. We get bogged down imagining pain, suffering, and punishment and miss the bigger better picture: Je-

Finally, brethren, whatev - er things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy, meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you. Paul was inspired to teach the Phi- lippians what to set their minds on— and God preserved those words for us today. In a troubled world, our minds must stay anchored on what is positive and good. God’s Word is the true source of what is honorable, pure, lovely, and of good report. If we focus on the way of life He has given us and truly live it, we can have a positive attitude in every as- pect of life. A Positive Example We have been called to a life of purpose. King David is a powerful example of a purposeful, positive outlook. His life was filled with faith. Yes, his writings describe deep trials and raw emotion. For years he was hunted like an animal, living with the knowledge that if he were caught he would be killed. Yet through it all he never lost trust in God. He knew God would do what He had promised. Did that confidence come from Da - vid himself? Or did it come from the Holy Spirit God gave him? Scrip- ture makes the answer clear. Psalm 23 records: The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie

down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still wa - ters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righ - teousness for His name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil;my cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. David was positively confident that God would finish what He had be - gun in him. He trusted that God would fulfill His purpose. That same faith is available to us. It is a gift. The Apostle Paul recorded in Ephesians 2:8–10: For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

The faith isn’t worked up human- ly—it is the faith God gives. Then it must be exercised and put to use. Just as God was with David, He is with His people if they commit to live differently: Faith, a life of obe - dience, love, outgoing concern, and positive focus on God’s purpose. Stay Focused Romans 8:18 states: For I consider that the suffer - ings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. Christians will all have to face tri- als and struggles. The suffering is real. But it cannot compare with the glory God will reveal in us—if we hold fast, keep a positive mindset, and focus on the end goal God has promised. In Romans 8:28 we see: And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. Continued on page 18

Which Doctrines Are Required for Salvation? Greg Kaidannek “For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.”— I Corinthians 3:11

T hroughout history, great builders have understood that everything de- pends on the foundation. Without it, even the most beautiful structure will eventually shift, crack, or col- lapse. Before a single wall is raised, the ground must be examined careful- ly. Engineers and surveyors test the soil, measure its strength, and en- sure it can bear the full weight of the building. They know the entire project literally rises or falls on this one factor. Christianity is no different. Quali - fication for eternal life depends on whether we have taken the time to build upon the proper foundation. There is only one sure foundation— Jesus Christ. I Corinthians 3:11 records: For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. In Matthew 7:24–25, Jesus stated: Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock… and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. Having been a carpenter, Christ knew the importance of building on

solid bedrock. The Greek word for “founded” means to lay a basis for, to settle, to establish. A good builder knows that the ground where he is building must be firm before con - struction begins. The same is true of all those whom God calls to His spiritual building. [We] must have a rock-solid grasp of all of God’s doctrines. In the same passage, Jesus also gave a warning (verses 26–27): But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand… and great was its fall. Christians cannot build their lives partly on God’s Word—bedrock— and partly on their opinions—sand. Doing so creates instability and imbalance. If not corrected, those foundational weaknesses will even- tually lead to collapse. We must build on the right founda- tion by doing what Christ said—His doctrines.

This raises the question: what is doc- trine? The word doctrine through- out the Bible means “teachings” (Hebrew and Greek). So God’s doc- trines are His teachings. The Bible is literally a teaching book—our source of instruction for how to live. Are some biblical teachings more important than others? Are some required for salvation while others are not? Every Word Counts Picture a buffet line. People select what appeals to them and skip what doesn’t. Many treat God’s truth the same way—choosing the doctrines they like and ignoring the rest. But true Christianity is not a doctrinal buffet. Statements such as “we be - lieve all the core doctrines” may sound sincere but can create a false sense of security if one is not care- ful. Selecting only a few “funda- mental” doctrines as essential for salvation can be spiritually danger- ous. God’s people must not decide which truths matter most.

Jeremiah warns us, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and des- perately wicked; who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17:9). Left to our own opinions we will fool ourselves. Solomon adds in Proverbs 3:5 and 16:25: Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding… there is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death If individual Christians pick and choose which biblical doctrines to follow, we are in effect saying the rest of what God says doesn’t mat- ter. But the Bible says otherwise: “Every word of God is pure” (Prov- erbs 30:5). Paul reminded Timothy, “All Scrip- ture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruc- tion in righteousness” (II Timothy 3:16–17). Christ declared in Matthew 4:4, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” Which doctrines, then, are not re-

quired for salvation? According to this verse—none. Remain Upright God’s Word provides “all things that pertain to life and godliness” (II Peter 1:3). Eternal life is the reward of those who not only hear these doctrines but live them. Romans 2:13 says: For not the hearers of the law are just in the sight of God, but the doers of the law will be justified. Once baptized, obedience to God’s truth (all of it) is what keeps a Chris- itan qualified to receive their inher - itance. Jesus Christ plainly stated in Matthew 19:17: So He said to him,“Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.” Christians are to follow Christ—do as He did—doing the will of God. Christ made no exceptions in Mat- thew 7:21: Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.

Psalm 111:7–8 declares: The works of His hands are ver - ity and justice; All His precepts are sure.They stand fast forever and ever, And are done in truth and uprightness. This verse gives us the formula for a stable, upright spiritual life. The spiritual organism—God’s true Church—must build on all of God’s commandments, every one of them. The Pillar and Ground Paul described God’s Church as “the pillar and ground of the truth” (I Timothy 3:15). One identifying feature of God’s Church is that it does not teach part of the truth—it teaches the straight truth. It is built upon the foundation of apostles, prophets, and Christ, who is our chief cornerstone. God in- spired men to write and record ev- ery book of the Bible. All Scripture is literally “God-breathed.” Christ gave His ministers “for the equipping of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ… till we all come to the unity of the faith” (Ephe- sians 4:12–13). The ministry in the Church accomplishes this through preaching, teaching, counseling, publishing, and exemplifying the

truth that was passed on to them from those in foundation - apostles and prophets. When the entire Body of Christ is built on the complete truth, it be- comes unified, strong, upright, and able to withstand all adversity. All too often throughout history, mankind has been deceived into following teachings conjured in the minds of men. It happened in Christ’s time with the Pharisees they had their own doctrine which Christ warned against (see Matthew 16:6,12). It also happened during Paul’s ministry—false gospels, along with demonic doctrines (see Galatians 1:6-9 and I Timothy 4:1- 3) crept into the Church. Guarding the true doctrine of God has been a test on God’s Church ever since—especially so in this La- odicean age. Paul was inspired to warn Timothy in II Timothy 3:13–15: But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scrip - tures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. God restored much understanding of His truth to His Church in the 20th century under the leadership of Herbert W. Armstrong. Since the time of his death many have come up with their own teach- ing—doctrine—claiming it to be

tribulations will test every Chris- tian’s foundation. Christ warned, “the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house…” (Matthew 7:25). Floods and strong winds represent overwhelming trials, life’s pres- sures, and temptations. If we have not built on every word of God, we risk spiritual instability. A Chris- tian must have a rock-solid grasp of all of God’s doctrines. Anything less than full obedience leaves us vulnerable when the storms of life strike. Standing Strong Standing strong in the truth is not an easy task. Study, prayer, medita- tion, and living by God’s Word has always been difficult in every age. God’s people need to be “workmen” earnestly contending for His truth. Christ commended the faithful Phil- adelphians alive and remaining in the final Church age, saying: “You have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name”— Revelation 3:8. Protection is promised to those who keep His Word—to those who hold fast to the precious doctrines. When we do, our lives rest on a firm and upright foundation. For those who find areas of weakness in their foun - dation, hope is not lost—act now! “Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.”— Ephesians 5:16 Strengthen your foundation. Em- brace every one of God’s doctrines. Build straight and true. God’s Word is sure; His truth unchanging. If we build our lives upon it, our founda- tion will stand forever.

“new truth.” Claiming to “grow in grace and knowledge” these new teachings are in opposition or dis- harmony with what God led His apostle (and those supporting him) to teach. Such doctrines are by defi - nition not God’s! God’s warning through the Apostle Paul is as much for the Church age now as it ever was. Avoid Failure Paul also instructed the brethren to “take up the whole armor of God… having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness” (Ephesians 6:13– 14). Notice, it is the whole, not part, of the armor. Psalm 119 reinforces the point: “All Your commandments are truth”— verse 151. “All Your commandments are righ- teousness” — verse 172. Failure to live by the full truth of God results in a weakened and unstable foundation—a spiritual structure that leans and eventually collapses under pressure. Trials and

Forging: Shaped by the Master Daniel Sheppard “God is looking to reproduce Himself in us, though we remain unique and formed for individual purposes. We are molded as tools to serve His purpose and to benefit one another.”

I n first grade, our class took a field trip to Hale Farm and Village in Northeast Ohio. It’s a living histo- ry museum designed to show what community life was like in the mid- 1800s. The site features all the com- mon trades of the era: candle-mak- ing, broom-making, brick-making, and even glass blowing. But the part that captured my imag- ination most was the blacksmith’s forge. When our group entered the black- smith’s shop, the man at the forge was working on a piece of farm equipment. He showed us the many items he had created from raw steel. Among them was a rose he had fashioned from scrap iron. It looked as if it had been freshly cut from a garden, something my grandmother might have grown. The only differ - ence was that this rose was made of black iron rather than red petals and green leaves. It was stunning- ly beautiful. I remember wishing I could take it home, but we weren’t allowed to touch it, it was a fragile work of art. That memory stayed with me. Over the years I’ve read books and watched countless videos about blacksmithing. I’ve even dreamed of setting up a forge of my own, maybe someday in my backyard. What fascinates me most is this: When a blacksmith needs a tool he doesn’t have, he doesn’t run to the store. He takes a piece of scrap met-

al and makes the tool himself. What others consider worthless, he trans- forms into something useful and en- during. You may be wondering, what does this have to do with being a Chris- tian? Each person has a different role. No two are the same, and that is exactly God’s intent. God is our Master Blacksmith. He is assembling a vast set of tools for the work He intends to do, and those He calls are the tools. Each person has a unique purpose and ability. Through His guidance He is shaping and re- fining His people into instruments ready for His use.

Before being called, everyone is like scrap metal lying in a heap (see I Corinthians 1:26-29). We are ordi- nary, overlooked and without direc- tion. God sees the individual poten- tial in each person, picks them up and begins to form them. Steel, however, is not easily worked. It is hard, unyielding, and often brit- tle. Some of us are the same, stub- born, resistant, and difficult to mold. A blacksmith must use extreme heat to make steel malleable. Consider an old, worn-out file. Files are ex - ceptionally hard and brittle, but be- fore they can be reshaped they must be annealed: Heated to a high tem- perature and then allowed to cool slowly. This removes brittleness and prepares the steel for shaping. After annealing, the steel is placed back into the forge and heated again, often to temperatures of 2,100 to 2,200 degrees Fahrenheit, so it can be hammered and formed into something new.

As the Master Blacksmith, how does God work this process in us? In Job 1:6–12 it states: Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came among them. And the Lord said to Satan, “From where do you come?” So Satan answered the Lord and said, “From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking back and forth on it.” Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil?” So Satan answered the Lord and said, “Does Job fear God for nothing? Have You not made a hedge around him, around his household, and around all that he has on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. But now, stretch out Your hand and touch all that he has, and he will surely curse You to Your face!” And the Lord said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your power; only do not lay a hand on his person.”

In Job’s story we see that God rec- ognized a character flaw that need - ed refining. To accomplish this, He allowed Satan to act as the “heat source” by lowering the hedge of protection around Job. In the same way, God sometimes permits Satan to apply pressure on individuals, not to destroy them, but to make them pliable and easily shaped. Think again of the file. Once it is heated to working temperature, the blacksmith lifts it from the furnace with tongs and lays it on the anvil. With each blow, sparks fly, scale and impurities flake away. When the steel cools, it is placed back into the fire, reheated, and hammered again. This is repeated until the file begins to take on a new, rough shape.

But even then the work is not fin - ished. The steel, now strained and brittle from hammering, must be annealed once more—heated and cooled slowly—to relieve internal stress and prevent it from shatter- ing. Without this step, all the ham- mering would be wasted. Annealing may be repeated several times, with the final cooling done right in the forge as the fire slowly fades. Only then can the blacksmith re- turn the next day to refine the piece further shaping it with a grinder, a file, or a sanding block until its new form emerges. Solomon was inspired to record in Proverbs 27:17: As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend. For most, weekdays in this present world are like being in the forge. Christians are continuously “heat- ed” by the trials and pressures of daily life. Then when God’s peo- ple assemble on the Sabbath, it is as though God brings His Church to the workbench—the local con- gregation—where He uses each member as tools in His hand to help shape one another. Continued on page 19

Our Strongest Link Larry Alverio

C hains have many links connecting to each other. The bigger the chain’s links, the stronger it is. I remember, back when we were allowed to tow cars, hooking the chain around the solid, heavy chrome bumpers of the old cars. You may put a dent in the bumper, but the chain will nev- er break loose. Its links are solidly connected together. I am reminded of the physical fami- ly. In today’s age scientists use DNA coupled with the aid of modern technology to reveal family linkage throughout many generations. We can see our family ancestry with great detail - even revealing heredi- tary illnesses. Yes, our DNA goes way back all the way to Adam and Eve. This is where our hereditary illnesses originated and where mankind began to break down physically and spiritually. In Genesis 2:16-17 it says:

And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, “Of every tree of the garden you may free - ly eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.” Adam and Eve had a solid link to God, however, because of their dis- obedience–their sin–that “link” was broken. Mankind was cut off from access to God. First they were phys- ically kept out of the garden until the flood. Ever since, mankind has been cut off spiritually (see Isaiah 59:2). Except for some few this remained in effect all the way to Christ who eventually paid the price for our sins (and all mankind eventually) to have access once again. Jesus’ sacri- fice provided us a way to reconnect with Him and His Father in heaven.

Today, we have a spiritual DNA family, the Church. God’s people are linked together by His Holy Spirit. Ephesians 4:4-6 tells us: There is one body and one Spir - it, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. God’s Church was meant to form one solitary, unified chain. In I Cor - inthians 6:17 it states: But he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with Him. Christ is our strongest link! At- tached to Him is how His Church can all be joined together, making a solid chain.

Spiritual Cement Shoes Brandon Buil “God describes sin as a weighted trap. We must all be careful not to let it drag us down.”

G rowing up, I used to watch old black-and-white gangster films with my father. We often watched James Cagney, Edward G. Robinson or Humphrey Bogart try to evade the authorities or seek revenge for a wrong. In some of those films I learned about the gruesome ways fictional gangsters disposed of their enemies. One such method was known as “cement shoes” or “con- crete shoes.” In the movies, mobsters would en- case a victim’s feet in concrete and throw him into the ocean or a lake. The weight of the cement was de- signed to be so overwhelming that it dragged the victim down until he grew tired and eventually surren- dered to the dark depths. It’s a brutal reminder of the cruelty human be- ings can inflict on one another. Biblical Parallels The Bible speaks of a similar dan- ger for Christians, one that can si- lently form around our own feet if we are not careful. Hebrews 12:1 tells us: Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us Here, sin is clearly identified as a weight—a burden God’s people

must cast aside if they hope to finish the race of their Christian calling. Lamentations 1:14 describes the crushing consequences of sin: The yoke of my transgressions was bound; They were woven together by His hands, And thrust upon my neck. He made my strength fail; The Lord delivered me into the hands of those whom I am not able to withstand. Christ [took] upon Himself the weight of the cement shoes that would drag us into the deep abyss. The Bible shows sin to be an ev- er-tightening yoke, a form of bond- age. Like those fictional cement shoes, sin weighs people down, brings pain, worry and punishment, restricts mankind in every way, and if left unchecked eventually drowns people.

Satan the devil—the god of this world and the author of sin— wants everyone to surrender to that weight. He wants to strip away the future God promises to His peo- ple. He wants us to crack under the pressure, to stop resisting, and to become so overloaded with sin that we finally sink beneath it. Resist The World Part of Satan’s strategy is to cre- ate a world perfectly designed to get those “cement shoes” fastened around our feet. Turn on the television and you’ll see sin, often several forms. Stream music or a podcast and you’ll hear sin. Start a conversation with a classmate or co-worker and foul language quickly appears. God’s name is often taken in vain as a throwaway expression.

More than once I have started a TV program only to turn it off minutes later because God’s name was be- ing misused. If only the characters were truly calling out to God; in - stead, His name is used as a casual remark, reducing the great Creator to a mere punchline. In such situa- tions, remember James 4:4: Do you not know that friend - ship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. If you’re watching a program that treats sin lightly or uses God’s name carelessly, switch to something else. If you’re in a conversation filled with the same language, try to dis- engage—not out of self-righteous- ness, but because we refuse to make light of what God calls sin.

tool to separate us from God. Even the everyday language of society has been influenced to create a bar - rier between humanity and its Cre- ator. God clearly tells us in Isaiah 59:2 : But your iniquities have sepa - rated you from your God; And your sins have hidden His face from you, So that He will not hear. It is no coincidence that sin is so pervasive. It has been carefully orchestrated to distance humani- ty from God—layer upon layer of unrepented sin, poured on like wet cement that slowly hardens around the feet. The Right Tools Thankfully, we have an all-power- ful and all-loving Father who pro- vides a way of escape for those who seek Him. In Matthew 11:27-30, Je-

you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light. Christ contrasts the heavy, death-producing weight of sin with God’s way—a yoke that is light and liberating. God’s law is not a bur- den; it is the only way to break sin’s bondage. Jesus said in John 10:10 “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abun- dantly.” Matthew 19:17: “If you want to enter into life, keep the command- ments.” All of this is possible because of His sacrifice. Christ lived a sinless life and died for our sins, taking upon Himself the weight of the cement shoes that would dragged us into the deep abyss. 1 Peter 3:18 says: For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit, But we must recognize our sins, confess them to God, and repent, turning away from breaking His law. Just as you would need the right tools to break metal chains or smash apart concrete, you need the right spiritual tools to break free from sin. Physically, you’d reach for chisels and sledgehammers. Continued on page 19

These are only small examples of the relentless bombardment around us, a world designed to pull us deep- er into sin. Satan, described as a “roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8), uses sin as his primary

sus speaks to His audience then and to us today: All things have been delivered to Me by My Father… Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon

I n the Philippines, the Church of God Assembly observed the Feast of Tabernacles in Maranding, Lanao del Norte, Mindanao. We were all deeply thankful for the fair weather and the many blessings we received, making it the happiest Feast ever. The Feast opened with a sense of gladness and excitement among ap- proximately one hundred attendees (brethren and guests). There was a profound feeling that the Kingdom of God is fast approaching, and we focused our theme on Matthew 25:34—emphasizing awareness and readiness for Jesus Christ’s return. Our leaders shared messages cen- tered on preparing for God’s com- ing Kingdom and our future roles as kings and priests. We were also reminded of our responsibilities re- garding first tithe, second tithe, of- ferings, firstlings, and firstfruits as a way to learn to fear the Lord. A highlight of the Feast included messages from Mr. Jason Fritts and Mr. Sheldon Monson, who provided insight into the judgment of God, eternity, and the blessing of the chil- dren. Both our physical and spiritual needs were fully satisfied during this blessed time. Our social programs, featuring night shows and dances, were a joyful expression of our de- light in the Feast of God. Very truly yours in Jesus’ name, Nepie Q. Benitez Philippines Update: Feast of Tabernacles 2025

Mini Study: Ready to Give a Defense Bible Study - The truth about two “Christian” holidays

E ach December, hundreds of millions around the world prepare for the holiday season by decorating trees, hanging lights, exchanging gifts, singing carols, partying and waiting for a ball to drop. But few ever stop to ask why they do these things, or what the Bible says about them. Are these customs truly Christian or do they come from somewhere else entirely? Let’s take a closer look — historically and biblically — to discover the surprising truth! 1. Was Jesus Christ really born in December? Luke 2:6–8, Song of Solomon 2:11 and Ezra 10:9,13. Shepherds were still living outdoors, keeping watch over their flocks — something not done in the cold, rainy winters of Judea. Historians agree that Jesus was not born in December. Indications show that Christ was born in the fall. The exact date is unknown, and nowhere does Scripture command us to celebrate His birth. 2. Did the early apostles or Church celebrate Christ’s birthday? 1 Corinthians 11:24–26 and Ecclesiastes 7:1. The early Church commemorated His death, not His birth. Nowhere in the New Testament do we find His disciples observing a birthday celebration for Christ or anyone else. 3. If Christmas wasn’t observed by the early Church, where did the holiday come from?

The Encyclopaedia Britannica explains that “Christmas customs are an evolution from times that long antedate the Christian period a descent from seasonal, pagan, re- ligious and national practices.” December 25 was cho- sen centuries later — the date of Rome’s festival of the birth of the sun god (Sol Invictus). Worship of the sun god traces its origins much earlier in history in Mesopotamia with Nimrod and Semaramis. Through her mysteries her dead husband was said to have been miraculously conceived by Semiramis and to have returned in the form of Horus (Semiramis’ illegit- imate son). It was the birthday of the unconquered sun! (Gieseler’s Ecclesiastical History, vol. ii, p. 42). 4. Does the Bible describe people decorating trees long before Christ was born? Jeremiah 10:2–5. The prophet Jeremiah describes the cutting, decorat- ing, and displaying of trees as a heathen custom. God commanded His people, “Do not learn the way of the Gentiles.” Yet this same ancient practice survives today in the form of the modern Christmas tree. This is one of the proofs that Christ was never “in” Christmas! 5. What about giving and receiving gifts? Doesn’t that honor Christ? Matthew 2:1–11. The wise men were not exchanging gifts among them- selves. They brought gifts to honor a King, following an ancient Eastern custom of presenting tribute to roy-

Depiction of New Year’s celebrations and its predecessor, the feast honoring Janus

alty. Their act was not a “Christmas” tradition and it occurred long after Christ’s birth. 6. Can we take pagan customs and “Christianize” them to honor God? Deuteronomy 12:29–30, II Corinthians 6:14-18 and Rev 18:4. God forbids adopting pagan practices and repackaging them in His honor. “You shall not worship the Lord your God in that way.” God does not accept worship that blends truth with heathen tradition and commands his people to come out of the world and its ways. 7. What did Jesus say about worship based on hu- man traditions? Matthew 15:9 and Mark 7:7–9. Christ said, “In vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.” Traditions that replace God’s instructions lead to empty worship, no matter how sincere they seem. 8. Which of God’s commandments are routinely broken during the Christmas season? Exodus 20:1–17. God’s name is taken in vain when Christmas is falsely linked to Christ. Coveting, lying (Santa Claus), drunk- enness, and greed are widespread. The season’s spirit of “get” stands in contrast to Christ’s teaching: “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35). 9. Where did New Year’s customs originate? Ancient Romans celebrated the birth of the sun and the turning of the year with wild parties and drunken feast- ing — honoring Janus, the two-faced god of beginnings (January is named after him). Later, Pope Gregory XIII fixed January 1 as New Year’s Day in the 1582 Gregori - an calendar, adopting Rome’s ancient pagan date. Earl W. Count wrote, “Mesopotamia is the very ancient Mother of Civilization. Christmas began there, over four thousand years ago, as the festival which renewed the world for another year. The ‘twelve days’ of Christ- mas; the bright fires and probably the Yule log; the giving of presents; the carnivals with their floats, their merrymakings and clownings, the mummers who sing and play from house to house; the feastings; the church processions with their lights and song — all these and more began there centuries before Christ was born. And they celebrated the arrival of a new year!” (4000 Years of Christmas, pp. 20-21)

Depiction of a Christmas tree and its predecessor, Asherah poles

10. What pagan symbols are still used in Christmas and New Year’s celebrations today? The Yule log comes from ancient sun worship; mistle - toe was a Druid fertility symbol; holly, ivy, and ever - greens were sacred to fertility gods; and candles and lights honored the returning sun. None of these have any biblical connection to Christ. 11. Where does Santa Claus come from? Santa Claus descends from old fire-god myths and hearth spirits. The connection between Santa’s use of the chimney, adorned with stockings hung by the fire - place, and the ancient superstitions about hearth spirits is obvious. For the gods of fire and solar gods who vis - ited homes, the chimney was their natural entrance and exit. For thousands of years, especially among the Chinese, it was customary to sweep and scour the house in prepa- ration for the hearth spirit’s visit. Each year, dressed in a fiery red cap and red jacket, this fire-god traveled from the distant heavens to visit homes and distribute favors or punishments. Today, he is welcomed in the Western world each Christmas season. In the ancient world Nimrod was also commonly called BAAL by the Phoenicians (meaning lord) and MOLECH by the Ammonites (meaning king). He was also known as Santa throughout Asia minor. Nimrod was the original Santa Claus! In the old testament Is- rael was expressly forbidden to sacrifice children to the fire in these gods’ name (Leviticus 18:21; 20:2 and Deuteronomy 18:10-12).

12. When does God’s New year begin? Does He provide Days He wants His people to observe in- stead? Exodus 12:1-2 and Leviticus 23:1– 36. God’s Year begins in the Spring in the month of Abib. The Eternal’s Feasts — Passover, Unleavened Bread, Pentecost, Trumpets, Atone- ment, the Feast of Tabernacles and Last Great Day— were ordained by Him, not invented by man. Each re- veals part of His plan of salvation for humanity. 13. Did Jesus and the apostles keep these annual festivals? Luke 2:41–43; John 7:1–2, 14, 37, Acts 27:9 and I Corinthians 5:6-8. Comment: Jesus observed God’s feast days and so did the Church He founded. These festivals are joy - ous times that reveal God’s plan of Salvation and the hope of His soon coming Kingdom on earth. The Bible never commands Christ- mas or New Year’s observance and history clearly shows their pagan origins. In fact it teaches the con- trary. God calls His people to wor- ship Him in spirit and in truth (John 4:24), not by adopting the customs of the nations. If asked we should always be ready to give a defense. There are far better days — God’s own Holy Days — filled with true joy, meaning, and understanding of His great plan for mankind. Adapted and expanded from ear- ly Worldwide Church of God ma- terials on “The Plain Truth About Christmas and New Years”.

Continued from page 6 Even the hardest things work to- gether for good for God’s chosen people. Continuing in Romans 8:31–32: What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? God intends to give His people all things. Can we maintain our focus on that picture—even on the diffi - cult days? A little later in Romans 8:35; 38–39 Paul was inspired to record: Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribula - tion, or distress, or persecu - tion, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? …For I am persuaded that neither death

nor life, nor angels nor princi - palities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any oth - er created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Christians must believe these words. God’s people must live in a way that remains focused on the positive— on God’s promises? God has called a people to be filled with a positive mindset. Not fo- cused on the evils around them, but on the larger picture - The Good News: God’s Kingdom is coming, and coming soon. He has prom- ised it and He is faithful to fulfill it. We can have the faith to know that the life He offers—a life of joy, of purpose, of eternal positivity—will come when Christ returns. Keep your eyes on that goal. Keep your focus on the positive.

Holy Day Calendar 2026 Passover: April 1 (observed the evening before) Days of Unleavened Bread: April 2-8 Pentecost: May 24 Trumpets: September 12 Atonement: September 21 Feast of Tabernacles: September 26 - October 2 Last Great Day: October 3

Continued from page 11 Each person has a different role. Some help smooth rough edges. Others provide strength or support when it’s needed most. No two tools are the same, and that is exactly God’s intent. A toolbox filled with only one kind of tool is not useful. God enjoys variety—many different tools, each crafted for a specific pur - pose. Every member of His family has a function now and is scheduled to have a specific role in His King - dom to come. Once steel has taken shape, it must be strengthened. The blacksmith reheats it until it glows and then plunges it into water or oil to harden it. But left in that state, the steel is brittle and subject to breaking under pressure. To prevent this, the black- smith tempers it by reheating it at a lower temperature and allowing it to cool slowly. This tempering process removes brittleness while maintaining hardness, giving the steel enough flexibility to withstand stress. The result is a tool that is strong, resilient, and ready for use.

Continued from page 14 Spiritually, we reach for God’s law, heartfelt confession, genuine repen- tance, and the steady habit of prayer, Bible study and fasting. Hebrews 4:12 declares: For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword… and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. God is our all-powerful Father. He has provided everything we need to resist the roaring lion. Let us ear- nestly seek Him and refuse to be trapped by the sins of this world— sins that bring only misery, slavery and death. In the second half of Romans 6:23 we are reminded “...the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Claim God’s free gift, break free of the cement shoes and run towards your ultimate potential.

God works the same way with us, just read I Peter 4:12–13: Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. In the same way, God—the Master Blacksmith—allows Christians to go through fiery trials. When you face a difficult test, ask God for the strength to endure. These experienc- es soften us, strip away hardness, and build resilience. Each strike of His hammer is deliberate, shaping His people into vessels of strength, beauty, and purpose—tools ready for His great work.

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