ENGLISH TEXT FOR REFERENCE

Activated Magazine 2005 / 10

(Traditional Chinese Activated mag 10 of volume 2--text mostly from August 2001 issue, October 2002 issue, February 2004 issue)

Cover:
Loneliness and the cure
Why we crave to share our joys and sorrows with someone

Love Beyond Human Limits
And how to share it.

E-mailing Jesus
Can’t be simpler

Page 2
This is Activated magazine volume 2 issue 10. If you are interested in receiving more issues or ordering some of our inspiring and strengthening Bible-based publications, please write, phone or e-mail us today! Thank you!

(address of various Activated desk around the world)

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Unless indicated otherwise, all
Scripture quotations in Activated! are
from the Chinese Union Bible, Chinese Living Bible,
Modern Chinese Bible and new Chinese Bible.

 

Personally speaking

There's the story of an orphan boy named Billy who sold newspapers on the street. One day a man stopped to buy a paper, and while the man was searching his pocket for a coin, he asked Billy where he lived.
“In a shack down by the river,” Billy replied.
“Who lives with you?”
“Only Jim. Jim is crippled and can't do no work. He's my pal.”
“Then you'd be better off without Jim, wouldn't you?” the man ventured.
Billy's answer came with some scorn. “No, sir. I couldn't spare Jim. I wouldn't have nobody to go home to. An' say, mister, I wouldn't want to live and work with nobody to divide with-would you?”      
If you think about it, aren't we all like Billy? Don't we all need a friend-someone to talk to and do things with, who can share our thoughts and feelings and experiences, our ups and our downs, someone we can “divide” with?
Companionship is a basic human need, as important to most people's happiness and overall well-being as food, clothing, shelter, exercise, and sleep, yet each of us knows what it's like to be lonely. Sometimes the unfulfilled need for companionship, love and understanding can seem almost unbearable.
Why is that so? If Go d is love and He wants us to be happy, if He has promised to supply all of our needs as the Bible says, then why does He sometimes allow us to be lonely?
This issue of activated takes a look at loneliness from a perspective that you may have never considered. Find out how God can turn lonely times into fulfilling and happy ones.

Hsu Ling
For the Activated Family

Page 3

ARE YOU LONELY?--Here's the CURE!

                Everything was perfect for Adam in the Garden of Eden! Everything except...what it was he couldn't quite find words to describe. He certainly had no complaints. God had lovingly provided everything for him in this heavenly paradise. Everthing was beautiful, wonderful, except...there was this strange empty aching feeling deep inside.
The Lord understood that deep emotion. And He had allowed it to show Adam that he was never going to be truly happy with these beautiful things that the Lord had created until he had someone like himself with whom he could SHARE them. And so God decreed that "It is NOT GOOD that man should be alone; I will make him a companion."--Genesis 2:18. And not long after that, Adam got his Eve!
So God didn't intend for people to be lonely or to live alone. He intended for us to live, love and share our lives TOGETHER with OTHERS in FAMILIES. "God sets the lonely in families."--Psalm 68:6. So, with the great fragmentation of family life that has taken place in modern-day culture, it is hardly suprising that loneliness is a greater problem than it has ever been since the beginning of history!
With "the love of many growing cold", as Jesus predicted it would in the Last Days (Matthew 24:12), loneliness is on the increase. And it is no longer just a problem confined primarily to the aged. It is also a serious concern among children and teenagers. In the U.S., a recent study showed that the main complaint among urban elementary school children was LONELINESS!
The medical profession can attest that more and more doctors now view loneliness as actually being DANGEROUS to one's health! Research shows that people who live alone require medical treatment much more frequently than do married people.
Loneliness also can bring on self-destructive behaviour such as increased smoking and drinking, and can make people more prone to risk-taking behaviour such as reckless driving. The suicide rate of people who live alone is FIVE TIMES HIGHER than "the norm".
But the cure for loneliness is not a pill, & certainly not suicide, but rather another PERSON! The lonely need companionship, someone with whom he can share his life. No one has trouble understanding why Adam couldn't live alone in Paradise, but in today's World people somehow tell themselves they can make it alone!
This myth of independence, which we see exalted every day in advertising and other media, makes it appear that to admit we need each other is a sign of weakness. We are told that individuals should look out for THEMSELVES first and foremost, and, above all else, live for "ME FIRST", not caring about others.
So, is it any wonder that so many people today are lonely?--Especially in cities, where city life has been aptly described as, "Millions of people being lonesome together". Just having a lot of people living
AROUND you won't necessarily relieve loneliness, because loneliness comes from being INSULATED from others, not only ISOLATED. Loneliness, sad to say, is often self-inflicted.--People build walls around themselves and then complain of their loneli ness. They build WALLS instead of BRIDGES!
(Continue in pg 9)

pages 4-5

Loneliness and the cure

By Virginia Brandt Berg

Virginia Brandt Berg (1886-1968) was a renowned evangelist and pastor, one of the first woman evangelists in America. For 15 years she hosted the pioneer gospel radio show Meditation Moments. The following is an edited transcript of one of her broadcasts.

There is a mystery in human hearts: To every one of us, from time to time, there comes a sense of utter loneliness.
Some of the loneliest people in the world are those who are constantly surrounded by others, yet they feel that no one knows or understands the “real me.” They may even have an abundance of material things-everything to satisfy every physical need-yet they complain of loneliness. They long to share their interests with someone, to find someone who will listen to their problems and sympathize with them.
We may have a lifelong companion or close dear friends who love us well and are loved by us, but even they will never know or understand us completely. We may climb the heights of success or accomplishment, yet there is no one who can fully share the emotion of that moment when we finally reach our goal. Our dearest friend is a stranger to our supreme joy, and cannot realize our bitter pain. Some tears are always shed alone. No other human being can ever enter the deepest recesses of our mind or heart or soul.
“There is no one who really understands, no one to share all I feel!” Such is the cry of each of us, in turn. We wander in a solitary way, no matter what or where our lot may be. Each heart, mysterious even to itself, must live its inner life in solitude.
But why? Why do we all have this deep craving to be understood by someone? Why this intense longing to have another share our joys and triumphs, sorrows, and defeats?
Did God, who made us a living soul, make some mistake in this, His masterpiece-humankind? Has He left some void in our makeup? He made provision for every other hunger of life: bread for the hunger of the body, knowledge for the hunger of the mind, love for the hunger of the heart. Has He then left the soul unsatisfied, this longing for deepest understanding and truest companionship unfulfilled? Has He left this loneliness of ours un-answered?
There is an answer to these questions. This lack that we feel, this incompleteness, is a need of our soul for God. He knew that when we found human sympathy lacking, we would seek the divine. He knew that this very sense of isolation, of not being understood, would drive us to Him.
God made us for Himself. He desires our love. He put a little sign on the table of your heart, which reads, “Reserved for Me.” In every heart, He wishes to be first. He therefore keeps the secret key Himself, the key to open all our hearts' chambers and to bless with perfect sympathy and peace each solitary soul that comes to Him.
God Himself is the answer, the fulfillment. Not until He Himself fills that inner longing will we ever be truly satisfied. Not until He fills our life will we ever be completely free from loneliness.      
The Apostle Paul wrote, “We do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin” (Hebrews 4:15). Jesus is touched with our every longing. As He enters our life, He becomes our satisfaction. God's Word says He is a “satisfying portion” (Psalm 107:9; Psalm 73:26). He'll satisfy every longing of our heart.
God is big enough, great enough to fill any soul. He is complete companionship, ideal and perfect friendship. He who made you is the only One who can fill every part of your life. There's no need to ever be lonely. Jesus said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you,” and “I am with you always” (Hebrews 13:5; Matthew 28:20).
So when you feel this loneliness, it is the voice of Jesus saying, “Come to Me.” And every time you feel that no one understands, it is a call for you to come to Him again. And when beneath some heavy load you faint and say, “I cannot bear this alone,” you say the truth. Christ allowed it purposely-so heavy that you must return to Him. The grief that no one understands conveys a secret message from the King, entreating you to come to Him again. You cannot come too often.
His presence satisfies the lonely soul, and those who walk with Him from day to day can never know a solitary way.

That’s the wonderful
thing about having
Jesus in your heart:
You’ll never again be
completely alone,
because you’ll always
have Jesus. Even when
everything else is
passed away, you’ll
still have Jesus. When
all others forsake you,
there will still be
Jesus. When the loves
of this world and
your friends desert
you, you’ll still have
Jesus. Jesus promised,
“I am with you always,
even to the end of
the world” (Matthew
28:20 TLB). When the
world has nothing left
for you, you’ll still
have Jesus—and Jesus
is all you really need!
—David Brandt Berg

pages 6 – 8

Love Beyond Human Limits
Maria Fontaine
Consistently thinking of others and trying to help meet their needs, especially when that involves personal sacrifice, is a tall order! It's so easy to be lazy, selfish, and self-centered. Most of us are that way naturally. Our first reactions are usually about ourselves—what we want and what will make us happy. But if we ask Jesus to help us and put forth a genuine effort, we can develop new habits and reactions, which, with time, will help us become more loving, caring, sacrificial individuals.
Jesus understands that we don't naturally have enough love to live in the loving manner He has said we should, but that's really no excuse. Just because we can't do it doesn't mean He doesn't expect it of us, because He will do it for us and through us if we want it badly enough and ask for His help. He is happy to give us all the outgoing, sacrificial love we need, because that's what He wants for us too.
It’s human nature to be self-preserving, self-seeking, self-satisfying. It's human nature to put our own needs and survival above others. But here's where those who have received God's love in Jesus have a great advantage, because the Bible promises, "If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new" (2 Corinthians 5:17). Jesus helps us break those natural circuits. He rewires our minds and hearts to do His bidding, which is to love others.
What a marvelous thing that is! Jesus told His original disciples, "By this all will know that you are My disciples"—followers of His teachings—"if you have love for one another" (John 13:35). In that day, the love Jesus' disciples had for each other, their friends, and even strangers drew much attention and was a powerful example to others of the Lord's love, and it spread.
How much more is this kind of love a miracle in this day and age, when most people are so caught up in meeting their own needs and fulfilling their own desires that the thought of sacrificially loving someone else hardly enters their minds. Today there is an even greater need to see love in action, because people are no longer sensitive to the reflection of the Lord's love in the many blessings He gives them, even when they don't deserve those blessings (Matthew 5:45).
The need is greater, but the testimony is also much greater. When people see love manifested in truly extraordinary ways—love that they know they aren't capable of themselves—they take notice. They cannot deny that such love is out of this world. "Where do you get such love?" they ask. "And where can I get it?" Human love can only go so far. To be all you can be and accomplish all you can, you need to be filled with the love of God.
The world is dying for the kind of love Jesus talked about and lived and now offers us. This is why He challenges us to manifest deep, sacrificial, impartial love for others, even though He knows such love is far beyond our human capabilities. It's impossible for us to show such love on our own, and if we try to do this ourselves, we'll be disappointed, frustrated, and wear ourselves out trying. But if we will simply ask Jesus for that love and then be willing to put it into action, He will give it to us. In fact, He will give us His love in such tremendous volume and power that we and everyone else will know it's a miracle!
To become the new creation He wants to make you, all it takes is a willing mind and heart, a believing spirit, prayer, and following through with many small deeds of unselfish love. As you begin to do your part, you will find that you think more of others, feel their needs more readily, and have more genuine concern for their happiness and well-being. More wonderful still, you will find yourself gladly giving up some of your own plans or things you once held dear for the sake of others.
When you give of yourself, when you go out of your way to be a friend, when you take time to talk to someone who's lonely or comfort someone who's sick, when you sympathize and help someone with their problems, when you make someone feel needed, and when you point someone to the source of this extraordinary love you share—Jesus–you will find that it brings you a special kind of satisfaction and reward of spirit. Through performing these little acts of love and unselfishness you will be blessed personally with happiness that can't be gotten any other way—the happiness of knowing that you have been a blessing to someone in need.
In loving and giving unselfishly, you not only allow God to use you to help others, but you allow Him to pour His blessings upon you, for He blesses the unselfish and the sacrificial. He blesses those who are giving, and He withdraws some of His blessings from those who selfishly always think of themselves first and insist on having their own way (Proverbs 11:24-25; 13:7).
Human love can only go so far. To be all you can be and accomplish all you can, you need to be filled with the love of God, which you find in Jesus Christ. He has more love to give you than you've ever dreamed possible! He is waiting with a flood of love to pour upon you, if you will only believe that such love is possible, ask, receive, and then be willing to put it into action.
So let's let Jesus' love for others shine through us. Let's love one another more. Let's do unto others as we would have them do unto us. Let's let the Lord's love be manifested in more forgiveness, understanding, communication, sharing, support, sympathy, and practical, loving, caring action. Let's give of our time, be a listening ear, and open our hearts and lives to others. Let's be swift to forgive and forget. Let's do our best to be our brother's keeper. Let's not hold back the simple affection that so wonderfully communicates the Lord's love. Let's be a strong shoulder to lean on or cry on. Let's not jump to conclusions or judge unfairly, but instead give others the benefit of the doubt. Let's try with all our hearts to set a good example of the Lord's unconditional love. Let's bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill God's supreme law: love.

[Callouts:]
The world is dying for the kind of love Jesus talked about and lived

When you give of yourself, you will find it brings you a special kind of satisfaction

Page 9
(Continue from pg 3)
Are You Lonely?
--Here’s the cure.
How do we "cure" loneliness? The solution is simply summed up in this little proverb: "To love others makes us happy; to love ourselves makes us lonely." Consider this true story:
10. There was a very lonely woman once who was always seeking a new lover, a new love, but never finding one that satisfied or lasted or that relieved her loneliness. Why? Because she was always seeking to GET love, to RECEIVE love, to BE loved! But when it was suggested to her that perhaps she needed to learn how to GIVE love, and to love UNSELFISHLY for the benefit and happiness of ANOTHER, after years of searching, this struck her as an entirely new idea that had never occurred to her before! She went out and soon found what she was looking for all the time--true love!--By trying to find someone SHE could make happy by GIVING her love to THEM!
11. So there's the key, the simple solution to loneliness!--The same as it's been since Man was first created: If you GIVE love, you'll GET love! If you're sincerely concerned about OTHERS and show THEM love, they'll be concerned about YOU and show YOU love!
Actually, this is another side to loneliness!--There are times when it may even be good for us to feel somewhat lonely. There are times when the Lord allows us, His children, to feel a little lonesome in order to enrich and deepen our relationship with Him!
It reminds me of the story of the famous Christian songwriter, George Matheson. He was soon to be married, when he was told by his doctor that he was losing his sight within six months!
When he told her fiancé the news, all of a sudden he felt her hand quiver and was withdrawn from his as she burst into tears and said, "Oh, I'm so sorry, George... but I COULDN'T be married to a BLIND man!"
Crushed, and heartsick, his whole world falling apart, he walked despondently back to his home where he sat down alone at his desk and thought about how the only thing that he had left in the whole World now was JESUS. Then he took a piece of paper and his old quill pen and he wrote the famous hymn that has since been a comfort to millions, "Oh Love that will not let me go"--JESUS!

"Oh Love that will not let me go,
I rest my weary soul in Thee,
I give Thee back the life I owe,
That in Thine ocean depths its flow
May richer, fuller be!"

                So there are two main reasons why the Lord allows Christians to be lonely: Number One, so you will look to JESUS for your DEEPEST satisfaction and companionship. And number Two, so you will reach out to OTHER lonely hearts with Jesus' Love and comfort! There are so many OTHERS around you who are just as lonely and longing for love as YOU once were, and just waiting for you to make the first move!
So step out by faith and talk to someone today about Jesus and God's Love and help THEM to be FULLY satisfied and COMPLETELY happy FOREVER, not just with HUMAN love and companionship, but with the Love of GOD, because God IS Love and He will satisfy your & their need for love FOREVER!--1John 4:8.
So love someone TODAY! Find out what wonders love can do! You'll find a whole new World of love you have only dreamed of! There are wonders of love that you yourself can enjoy along with other lonely hearts-if you will only try!
We hope these words of love will help you find the love YOU need to make YOU happy and no longer lonely, and that OTHERS will find happiness through your love too! God bless and keep you and make you a blessing with His Love! Remember:
--All the BEST things in life are SHARED!--LOVE isn't put in your heart to STAY, Love isn't LOVE till you GIVE it away!

Page 10 – 11a

E-mailing Jesus
By Keti Rosalieva

When a close friend moved away, I felt alone and worried about not having anyone to talk to, seek advice from, and confide in. I very much missed having that special link with someone, but I soon discovered that I could have the same kind of personal connection with Jesus that I had enjoyed with my dear friend.
I decided to get up earlier each morning than I had been in order to take an hour to read God's Word and hear from Jesus in prophecy before I did anything else. These have become my daily "talk times" with Jesus, and they really do the trick!
Since I can type faster than I can write, I do this on my computer. I start by typing a prayer in which I share my heart with Jesus-just as though I were writing Him a letter or e-mail. I tell Him what's been happening with me, what I expect to face that day, and anything that may be bothering me. He already knows these things, of course, but it really helps to commit it all to Him in prayer. When I type "Amen," it's like clicking on the "send" button on my e-mail program. My prayer, like an e-mail message, has been sent off to the courts of Heaven for Jesus to read.
That's great, but even better is that I don't have to wait for hours, days, or weeks for a reply. As soon as I send my e-mail, the reply comes. I just type out the message as I hear Jesus speak to my heart, and it nearly always contains all the answers, comfort, instruction, peace, and inspiration I need to see me through the day. If not, I shoot off another e-mail to Jesus asking Him to fill in the gaps, and He does.
This special time with Jesus in the morning has been such a help that I've gotten in the habit of e-mailing Him a couple of times a day, especially when things come up unexpectedly and I need His opinion or advice. Usually it just takes a few minutes, and the clear, simple advice and solutions He gives always make it time well spent.
I now enjoy the companionship and confidence of new friends and co-workers, but I am hooked on my e-mail times with Jesus. They have become my way of telling Him how much I love and need and depend on Him, as well as a great opportunity to thank Him for all He does for me. In return, He sends me all I need to meet and make it through the day a winner.•

Prayer for the Day:

Jesus, sometimes I get all wound up and worried, but when I stop and give my problems to You to work out, You always do-starting with me. You remind me that everything's under Your control, that You're right here with me to help, and that nothing is too hard for You. You take everything so calmly and approach every problem so positively that my worries and fears just melt away. You replace them with faith and trust in You, and that makes all the difference in the world!
I need Your help again, Jesus. I give my latest batch of worries to You, and receive Your perfect peace in exchange. Thank You Jesus!

Page 11b

feeding reading

Never Alone

We all experience loneliness at some time in our lives, but there are many promises in the Bible that can help us through those lonely times.

Once we have Jesus in our hearts, we always have His company and love.
John 14:18
Matthew 28:20b
Romans 8:38-39
Hebrews 13:5

Though earthly companionships may fail, the Lord never fails.
Psalm 38:11,15
Psalm 142:4-5
Isaiah 49:15-16
2 Timothy 4:16-17a

Sometimes the Lord lets us feel lonely to drive us closer to Him.
Psalm 63:1,5-7
Psalm 73:25-26, 28
Philippians 3:8
Colossians 2:10

Even Jesus felt lonely and forsaken at times.
Isaiah 53:3-4,6
Matthew 27:46
John 1:10-11
Hebrews 4:15

Reaching out to others and being a friend is an antidote to loneliness.
Proverbs 11:25
Proverbs 18:24a
1 Thessalonians 3:12a

Page 12

answers to your questions

Q: Sometimes I feel like I'm being overcome with worries. What can I do to stop worrying so much?

Who doesn't worry sometimes? We worry about what's going to happen in the world. We worry about failing in school or in our work. We worry that we won't be able to make ends meet financially. We worry about losing the ones we love. We worry about our future. We worry about so many things!
Most worries come down to one of two things: fretting about past failures and situations gone wrong, and fearing the future.
How can we keep such fears from affecting us? One good answer can be found in a most unexpected place-modern ocean liners. They are constructed in such a way that in case of fire or serious leakage, watertight, fireproof steel doors can be closed to seal off the damaged compartment from the others and contain the problem, so the ship can stay afloat.
So it should be in the “ship” of our lives. In order to make the most of today and best prepare for the future, we have to learn to seal ourselves off from worries about yesterday with its mistakes and failures, as well as from needless fears about tomorrow. Otherwise our worries may cause us to go under!
Jesus said, “Do not worry about tomorrow. Each day has enough trouble of its own” (Matthew 6:34 NIV). Have you ever noticed that it's the things that never happen that seem to worry us the most? Like the writer and humorist Mark Twain said toward the end of his life, “I'm an old man, and I've had many troubles-most of which never happened!”
One businessman drew up what he called a “worry chart,” where he kept a record of his fears. He discovered that 40% of them were about things that probably would never happen, 30% concerned past de-cisions that he could not change, 12% had to do with other people's criticism of him, and 10% were unfounded worries about his health. He concluded that there were valid reasons for only 8% of his worries.
As Christians we don't have to fear or worry about anything, because we know that “all things work together for good to those who love the Lord” (Romans 8:28). The famous evangelist Dwight L. Moody (1837-1899) used to say, “You can travel first class or second class to Heaven. Second class is, 'What time I am afraid, I will trust' (Psalm 56:3), and first class is, 'I will trust, and not be afraid' (Isaiah 12:2). So why not buy a first class ticket?”

page 13
"SELF LIFE"
By Virginia Brant Berg

I believe it will be profitable to you if you'll truly meditate on these thoughts that we bring you from our heart. And thinking of our Meditation, my mind traveled back to a day before the Second World War when we were visiting in a home in the South.
The son of the family was leaving the next day for the army and we had been invited in for the farewell. "Would you like to see some of my pictures that I took on a recent trip through Canada?" the young man asked us. And as he projected the pictures on the silver screen, I watched in amazement, for in every picture the scenery was obscured by his own image standing prominently in front of some very beautiful view. There was himself blotting out a scene in the Canadian Rockies, himself obscuring a rural scene in Quebec.
And so it was in all his conversation: He sang a song of self, he talked a song of self. It was a sweet melody to his own ears, but it becomes very tiresome to others.
Well, the pictures told a story that "self" had gone on this wonderful journey, and "self" was all he'd brought back! The wonders of it were lost to him because he saw only himself, and felt only himself, and cared for himself; but how different the story later on!
After the war we ran across this young life again as we visited the same territory. He had seen front line battle a number of times, and he had been severely wounded, his buddies had died by his side, and the chaplain he had loved so much had given his life in one sacrificial act of great courage.
And out there one day in no man's land, impaled on a barbed wire fence, "self" died, and was buried for ever. After a while we asked, "Did you bring back any pictures?" "Just a few" he said, "Would you like to see them?" And in that handful of pictures there was not one picture of himself! Self indeed had been wiped from every scene. Now, although he was a sufferer, he was active in service for others, and "self" had lost itself completely in the great needs about him.
He was a sufferer indeed, and crippled severely, but never once in our visit in that home did he mention his own need, did he ever talk of his pain, or of himself. I thought of this Verse of Scripture in John 12:24,
"Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit." -- It's a strange paradox that life will come out of death. Except you die, you'll never truly live, just as the paradox, except you give forth you can't truly take in.
The one who lives so self-absorbed and enwrapped, and self-pitying, with the idea that the whole universe revolves around them, they live the loneliest of lives, they indeed abide alone. And so many times they feel the utter futility of life.
Someone has wisely said that the smallest package in all the World is a man wrapped up in himself, and that surely is true! But how different the life of a real Christian, a dedicated Christian, where self has died! They've been crucified with Christ and they've been born again a new creature.
As Paul said, "It is no longer I that live, but Christ that liveth in me." (Gal.2:20) -- No more self-absorption, no more self-motives in life, but motivated by Christ within, he loses his life in larger interests: In the wealth of satisfaction from an outpoured life.
An outpoured life instead of an ingrown life! The promise is, "If it die, it bringeth forth much fruit." This new life, the Christ-life that has taken over, will suffer for others, it indeed brings forth much fruit because it has germinated into communion with others, it has germinated into fellowship with God and into a self-forgetfulness which brings rest, joy and riches eternal.
This is the happy life! This is the useful life, and the life that knows no real loneliness! Now with the death of self there are heights of joy that you have never known.

Page 14a

For OTHERS

Lord, help me live from day to day
In such a self-forgetful way,
That even when I kneel to pray,
My prayers will be for others.

Help me in all the work I do
To ever be sincere and true,
And know that all I do for You
Has to be done for others.

Let self be crucified and slain
And buried deep, and all in vain
May efforts be to rise again-
Unless to live for others.

And when my work on Earth is done,
And my new work in Heaven begun,
May I forget the crown I've won
While thinking still of others.

Others, Lord, yes, others!-
Let this my motto be.
Help me to live for others,
That I may live like Thee.

Elizabeth A. Fenley

Page 14b

Coming Next…

Have you ever felt discouraged to the point that you just can’t get out of it? It’s something that happens to many of us. We all know that life is a struggle, and we face different challenges, difficulties, dealing with different tasks & people everyday. We know true & clear that things won’t always go smoothly as we have hoped. Yet, when we’re actually faced with those difficulties or frustration, even failure, our hearts just sank & can’t take it so well as we’ve hoped. Then, there’s this spiritual battle, the enemy of our soul comes in to make things even worse, to cause us to feel even lower, sometimes hard to get up again and even turn into a long-term problem. But there’s light at the end of the tunnel! The One who made us knows all that, He can’t spare us from life’s trials, but He sure loves to help us to come out of it! Depression is such an issue those days, that’s why we’ll be talking about it in our next “Activated”, to share how we can combat it & overcome! Maybe you don’t have any problem with it now, but maybe some of your friends or loved ones has, that you can help them. Don’t miss it! 

Page 15

14 major points of the endtime
An Overview of Bible Prophecy - Part 3
Compiled by Joseph Candel from the writings of David Brandt Berg

       The first 2 parts of this article covered the first eleven major stages or events of the Endtime: 1) various signs of the times, as described in Matthew 24 and other passages; 2) the rise of the world dictator known as the "Antichrist"; 3) the signing of a "covenant" that will usher in a brief period of stability and signal the beginning of the Antichrist's seven-year reign; 4) the breaking of that covenant three and a half years later; 5) a time of unprecedented trouble and suffering known as the "Great Tribulation"; 6) a nuclear war that will destroy "Babylon, the great whore" in one hour; 7) the "Rapture," when Jesus returns at the end of the Great Tribulation to rescue His children out of this world. 8) Jesus conducts a banquet in Heaven for his church -- the “Marriage Supper of the Lamb”. 9) God’s wrath on the wicked people. 10) a big war between good and evil -- “The Battle of Armageddon” . 11) the millenium - - Jesus Christ rules the world in the millennium.

12. The Battle of Gog and Magog
       At the end of the Millennium, Satan will be released for a "little season" from the bottomless pit where he has been imprisoned-just long enough for him to deceive those unconverted rebels who will again follow Satan to the full, in open rebellion against the Lord and His government.
       This rebellion will result in the catastrophic Battle of Gog and Magog, in which God will send down fire to devour them completely. In fact, it is such a horrible fire that it will completely burn up the surface of the planet, and the atmospheric heavens will roll back like a scroll and depart with a great noise (Revelation 6:14; 2 Peter 3:10). The entire surface of the planet will then be recreated into a beautiful new Earth with no more seas (though there will likely still be bodies of water), no more pollution, and no more Devil, for he will have been cast into "the lake of fire" (Revelation 20:7-10; 21:1).

13. The Great White Throne judgment
       After the climactic Battle of Gog and Magog, the unsaved of all ages will be resurrected for the final Great White Throne judgment, where "the books are opened" and they will be given their final sentences according to their works and assigned to their places in the hereafter (Revelation 20:11-13). The worst and most cruel and wicked will be sent to Hell or Purgatory for punishment and purging, while those who tried to be good but were unsaved because they had not heard the Gospel, whose names will be found in the Book of Life, will be given a chance to receive Jesus and enjoy the marvelous new Earth (2 Peter 3:9; 1 Timothy 2:4; 1 Peter 3:18-19).

14. The new Heaven and new Earth
       God's great heavenly city will then descend from above to the beautiful, re-created planet Earth, and God Himself will dwell with us, right here on earth (Revelation 21:1-3). The heavenly city will measure nearly 1,500 miles (2,400 kilometers) long, 1,500 miles wide, and 1,500 miles high (Revelation 21:16).
       The entire city is made of pure gold, like clear glass (Revelation 21:18), and through those transparent walls we will be able to see out onto a beautiful, fully restored and re-created earth, which will be populated by new nations who will truly have learned the righteousness, goodness, and love of God. And eventually, because of God's mercy and justice, all punishment on earth and under the earth will end. Almost everyone who has ever lived will finally be reconciled to God and live either with the elect within the heavenly city or else outside the city. "For God is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance"
(2 Peter 3:9). "Who desires all men to be saved, and to come to the knowledge of the truth" (1 Timothy 2:4). "That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow … and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father" (Philippians 2:10-11).

       Will you enjoy the Rapture, the wedding party, the millennial heaven-on-earth, and God's eternal, heavenly city? Are you one of the saved who will be allowed to live in that great city? Receive Jesus as your Savior, if you haven't already, and you'll be granted instant, permanent citizenship to that great golden city and be given a foretaste of what Heaven and eternal life will be like, right here and now!

[Callout:] Almost everyone who has ever lived will finally be reconciled to God and live either with the elect within the heavenly city or else outside the city.

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From Jesus with Love

I'M ALWAYS HERE FOR YOU

Turn to Me in your loneliness. I love you dearly, and I am there for you anytime, all the time. I am your constant companion, your best friend.
When you feel like no one cares and there is no love to be found, that is the time to lie back in My arms and find peace. When you are discouraged and feel like a mess, look into My face and see Me smile upon you, for I love you just the way you are. When you feel worried or frustrated, run to Me. I will be your perfect companion. When you feel that no one can possibly understand the difficulties you are passing through, that is the time to run to Me. I always understand. Set your affections on Me, and I will fill your every need.
In those special times together, our love will grow stronger and our relationship deeper than any earthly love or relationship could ever be. From this oneness with Me will grow your greatest and most lasting happiness, fulfillment and contentment.
Love, Jesus