Present Truth
April/May 2015

Dear Readers,
“Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 1:7). I pray that God is abundantly blessing you above what you can think or ask. God’s love has been continually growing more precious to me. I pray this is true for you as well.
Printer Update: This is the first issue of Present Truth printed on our new-to-us machine. I am very thankful to the Lord for providing such a blessing. Thank you so much for all your prayers.
In This Issue:
Knowing the Truth
Lynnford Beachy
Dominican Republic Trip Report
Lynnford Beachy
Bible Study Bookmarks
Pat Kroeger
Something for the Young at Heart

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Knowing the Truth
by Lynnford Beachy

Jesus said, “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32). Freedom is something dear to everyone, especially those who are incarcerated or under some other kind of bondage. What freedom is Jesus talking about here? Is He offering freedom from oppression, jail cells, or some other earthly power? The Jews understood it this way and their response was, “We be Abraham’s seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free? Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin” (John 8:33, 34). Here Jesus explained exactly what freedom He was talking about. It was not freedom from worldly powers, but freedom from the bondage of sin.
Have you ever been in bondage to a habit or have you known someone who has? I used to be addicted to drugs, so I know the difficulty of breaking free from that. Even if your mind says that you want to be free, the power of a cultivated habit is difficult to break. I know people who have struggled with habits for years. Jesus said this is a bondage we can be delivered from. He told us how we can be free from the bondage of sin, it comes to us through knowing the truth.
“Wait a minute!” someone might say. “How can we know what is truth?” That is an excellent question. Intellectual truth is so elusive. Many people claim to have “the truth” who disagree with others who also claim to have it. Jesus warned, “And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many” (Matthew 24:11). Many of these false prophets will even do great signs and wonders: “For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect” (Matthew 24:24).
Jesus also cautioned, “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity” (Matthew 7:15-23).
Here Jesus identified some characteristics of false prophets: they “work iniquity [sin],” they have “evil fruit.” Another characteristic of a false prophet is that they teach things contrary to the Bible. A false prophet is someone who claims to speak on behalf of God, but is really deceiving people into believing lies. The Bible says, “To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them” (Isaiah 8:20).
What is Truth?
Jesus said that knowing the truth will make us free from sin. Yet, the Bible says, “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness” (Romans 1:18). It is possible to believe the truth, but still live an unrighteous lifestyle. These people are not free from sin even though they have truth. So what did Jesus mean when He encouraged us to “know the truth”? Is “the truth” more than just intellectual knowledge?
Just four verses after Jesus said, “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free,” He said, “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed” (John 8:36). Here we get a different picture of what truth is. In one verse He says knowing the truth will make you free, and in the immediate context He says, “the Son” will make you free. Knowing “the truth” is knowing “the Son.” Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6).
Jesus is “the Truth.” He is the one we must know in order to be made free from sin. He is the one who gives us this freedom. This freedom does not come by having an intellectual knowledge about the truth, but by having a close, personal relationship with the One Who is “the Truth.” This relationship will bring freedom in your life.
A Personal Testimony
As I said earlier, I used to be addicted to drugs. I even decided to prove to myself that I could quit, so I planned to be clean for three days just so I could say I can do it. I lasted one day. My will power alone was weak in the face of long cherished habits. Later, when the Lord impressed me with the fact that I was a lost sinner going to hell and that He really loves me, I had an even greater desire to quit. I destroyed all of my drugs and paraphernalia and told my friends I was not going to do drugs anymore, but soon I found myself falling back into drugs and alcohol. I was terribly disappointed in myself. My will power was still not enough to give me freedom.
It was not until two months later that I realized I needed a power outside of myself. I invited Jesus Christ to live in my heart, and I finally had the power to be completely free from drugs. That was twenty-four years ago, and praise the Lord, I have not done drugs since. Knowing Jesus, the Truth, is the only way we can truly be free from sin. I know that without Him, I can do nothing (John 15:5).
Realizing that you need help is the first step to recovery. One Christian author wrote it this way: “We have heard many people tell how hard they found it to do right; their Christian life was most unsatisfactory to them, being marked only by failure, and they were tempted to give up in discouragement. No wonder they get discouraged; continual failure is enough to discourage anybody. The bravest soldier in the world would become faint-hearted if he had been defeated in every battle. Sometimes these persons will mournfully tell that they have about lost confidence in themselves. Poor souls, if they would only lose confidence in themselves entirely, and would put their whole trust in the one who is mighty to save, they would have a different story to tell. They would then ‘joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ.’ Says the apostle, ‘Rejoice in the Lord always; and again I say, Rejoice.’ Phil. 4:4. The man who doesn’t rejoice in God, even though tempted and afflicted, is not fighting the good fight of faith. He is fighting the poor fight of self-confidence and defeat” (Ellet J. Waggoner, The Present Truth, November 5, 1891).
Having a deep, personal relationship with Jesus will change your life, but holding intellectual truth in unrighteousness will never help anyone. This was the problem with the religious leaders of Christ’s day. He said to them, “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life. I receive not honour from men. But I know you, that ye have not the love of God in you” (John 5:39-42).
Those church leaders thought they were okay because they were very educated in intellectual knowledge about God. But God’s love was not a reality in their hearts. They had not come to Jesus to have life and freedom. Jesus Christ is the only Truth that can make you free from the bondage of sin. There is no doctrine in the world that you can apply to your head to get you freedom. Jesus Christ is the only way to the Father. No amount of head knowledge is going to get you there! Jesus Christ is “the way, the truth, and the life.”
Despising Others
One negative effect of adding head knowledge apart from Christ is it tends to make people think they are better than others. Jesus “…spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted” (Luke 18:9-14).
This self-righteous Pharisee thought that he was righteous because of his knowledge and good works. The more of these things he had, the more righteous he thought he was. But Jesus taught that the righteousness of a despised tax collector (publican) who humbly comes to God for salvation far exceeds that of this Pharisee. Your acceptance with God has nothing to do with your head knowledge and works, but rather with your connection with the One who is Life, Jesus Christ. “And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life” (1 John 5:11, 12). Be careful how you judge others, for it is likely that you are using a faulty scale. This Pharisee was looking on the outward appearance, but God was looking at the heart (1 Samuel 16:7).
Love
The Bible says, “Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing” (1_Corinthians 13:1-3).
Here we are given extreme examples of Christian activities. If you saw someone who did all these things he would be regarded by many as one of the most devoted Christians. But all of these things can be done without God’s love in my heart, and in this condition, “I am nothing.” Knowing the truth is not knowing about truth, but knowing—in a close personal way—the One who is Truth, Jesus Christ. This connection will put God’s love in your heart and transform your life into the image of Jesus Christ.
“And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father” (Galatians 4:6). “And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us” (Romans 5:5). “But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord” (2 Corinthians 3:18).
If you do not know the Truth, I pray that you will humbly invite Jesus Christ to live in your heart. Believe that He comes to live in you because He promised (Revelation 3:20), and you will have freedom that could never come without Him. Live your life knowing this is a reality. “…reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:11). I pray “That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God” (Ephesians 3:16-19).
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Dominican Republic Trip Report
by Lynnford Beachy

On March 26th I arrived in the Dominican Republic to meet up with Brothers Alfred Irizarry and Renny Escorcha from 7th day Gospel Ministry in Indiana, and Ruben Marte from Producciones Celestiales in Florida. We united to conduct the First International Conference in Santo Domingo, focusing on the love of God. The theme of the conference was based on my book, God’s Love on Trial, entitled in Spanish, El amor de Dios en tela de juicio. I brought 400 copies for distribution and 200 copies of Christ in You (Cristo en Ti in Spanish). 
I was greeted at the airport by several brethren, including Alfred’s father, Ramon, a long-time brother in the faith who has been very active in sharing the love of God. If you have had any contact with him, you will likely have received some type of literature.
We were invited to stay in the home of a dear brother, Julio Florimon, who has been very active in door to door evangelism and Bible study. This dear brother is impressive. He is 88 years old, and can still scamper down the stairs, and run. Many years ago he had an accident where fire nearly took his vision. The Lord miraculously healed him of this, and evidently did a great job because at 88 years old he is driving well and reading clearly without the use of any glasses. (Driving in the Dominican Republic is a difficult task, definitely not for the faint of heart.) He is still as active as ever in sharing the good news of God’s love.
Friday March 27
Friday was spent in visiting some of the brethren to encourage them to be involved in the meetings. That evening we had a meeting for the local group, in which I shared a study on the importance of allowing Christ to live in your heart to transform your life. The Lord greatly blessed in this presentation. Several people from the community listened from the outside, with very favorable responses. One man poked his head in the door to listen to an appeal to accept Christ into your heart. He seemed to be thrilled with what he was hearing.
Sabbath March 28
On Sabbath morning Brother Renny shared an earnest appeal for the brethren to study the Bible for themselves, outlining some of the dangers of blindly following man. For the second message I shared a study on the amazing benefits of Christ living in us, sharing with us His faith. We also saw how dramatically things changed from the old covenant to the new, when the system of types and shadows were abolished at Christ’s death (Ephesians 2:15; Colossians 2:14-17). We saw some of the benefits Christ gained through His experience as a man. “Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered,” and “For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour [help] them that are tempted” (Hebrews 5:8; 2:18).
We saw the “weakness and unprofitableness” of the old shadowy types which were “a figure for the time then present” “imposed on them until the time of reformation” (Hebrews 7:18; 9:9, 10). This presentation generated a lively discussion, as some were under the impression that the shadowy types of the feasts were still required to be observed today. I left them with an appeal to accept Jesus Christ into their hearts Who alone is able to transform us into the image of God. (For a thorough Bible study on the feasts, please request the February 2011 and September 2014 issues of Present Truth.)
Sabbath afternoon was utilized by groups going door to door and through the streets distributing literature and inviting people to attend the upcoming evangelistic meetings.
Sunday March 29
On Sunday morning we were invited to have an hour-and-half interview on a local radio station to explain the upcoming conference and encourage people to attend, receive free literature, and get some of their questions about God’s love answered. The Lord blessed us at this time to encourage people that God loves them immensely, so much that He is willing to give everything for them.
Monday March 30
Sadly, our Brother Ramon Irizarry had a difficulty with his eyes. We spent many hours praying and seeking help for him. He ended up boarding an airplane to fly back to Indiana early in the morning. Please keep him and his family in prayer. He had surgery to repair his retina on Thursday, April 2. His surgery went well, and he is recovering well. He still needs our prayers.
We spent the rest of the day travelling around the city preparing for the upcoming meetings and inviting people to come.
In the evening we had a two-hour Bible study with Julio and his wife about the plan of salvation. It was one of the few Bible studies I had almost entirely in Spanish. The Lord blessed us all with the ability to understand each other.
Tuesday March 31
We finished up last-minute preparations for the meetings, and moved to the hotel where we would hold the meetings each day. To my delight, I found that a few of the people I had met on the airplane were also staying at this hotel. We were blessed to have Brother Ruben arrive to help. He was my roommate for a few days, and it was a blessing to get to know him a little better. The Lord has blessed him with a simple and clear manner to share the love of God.
Wednesday April 1
We began our meetings at 8:30 am. Brother Ruben had the first message on the validity of the Bible. The people seemed to relate very well to his message and were encouraged to continue in the meetings. Brother Renny had the next message focusing on Christ as the Son of God. He covered some very interesting historical facts about how this teaching has been hidden or denied in different churches.
I shared the next message on the one God of the Bible, “the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 15:6). Many people asked questions, and it was nice to see the interaction. The last message of the day was shared by Brother Ruben, who talked about Christ in us as our Comforter. It was nice to see how easily he was able to interact with the people who seemed to really enjoy it. He closed his message with an appeal for everyone to invite a friend for the meetings the next day.
In the evening we began our public evangelistic meetings (the daytime meetings were to strengthen the local brethren). We held these meetings at a different location, very close to where the group meets every Sabbath. When we arrived there was no electricity in the building. Fortunately, the brethren planned for this and had a generator, but it would not work. Some groups of prayer warriors kept the matter before the Lord while other brethren were trying to get the lights to work. After more than thirty minutes of struggling with sporadic success, the power came back on, and stayed working throughout the meeting. Several people from the community came to visit, with a promise to return the following day. Brother Renny shared an excellent message on the love of God in giving His Son to die for us. The people were very receptive and eager to return the following evening.
Thursday April 2
On Thursday morning Brother Ruben shared a moving message on the importance of worshiping God as He is revealed in the Bible, instead of how we imagine He is. He pointed out that just as the false gods of the Philistines were dismembered before the Ark of the Covenant (1 Samuel 5:2-4), false ideas about God fall apart before the light of truth coming from the Bible. He gave several examples of how false theories about God cannot stand up to the truth of the Scriptures.
During the break I noticed a group of ladies in the hotel preparing to play in a volleyball tournament. I felt impressed to pray for them. When I approached them, they said they would be happy to have me pray for them. I asked the Lord to protect them and reveal His love to them every day. They seemed very happy for this. I don’t usually approach people like that, but at this time I felt impressed to do so. I pray that God will continue to reveal His love to them.
I shared the next message about the complete death of Christ, as well as the beginning of His work as our High Priest in the heavenly sanctuary. This generated a lot of questions and interaction. One new lady seemed thrilled with what she was learning about the depth of Christ’s work for our salvation.
In the afternoon, Brothers Renny and Alfred worked together to share a study on what the Scriptures say about Christ, and then explained that the New Testament was originally written in Greek. They shared some dangerous errors that are coming in, seeking to undermine the validity of the Bible by claiming that the Greek New Testament cannot be trusted. They shared clear evidence to demonstrate that the Greek is reliable and was the original text. The message was received well.
In the evening Brother Renny shared a wonderful message on the love of God in giving His Son. The meetings are held in a poor part of town with a lot of foot traffic. I decided to stay outside handing out books and invitations to the meetings. Several promised to return the next day, while a few went right in to listen to the message.
Friday April 3
I shared the first message on the love of God in giving His Son, very similar to how I shared it all over Costa Rica and Nicaragua on my visits to those countries earlier this year. The Lord greatly blessed, and many people appreciated it. The next message was shared by Brother Ruben on the wonderful promise of Christ living in you. After lunch, Brothers Alfred and Renny again united to share an excellent message on the validity of the Greek New Testament, as well as strong proofs that it is not necessary to use Hebrew names to be saved. They included several thoughts from an article I wrote, called, “Must we use Hebrew Names to be Saved,” found in the November 2005 issue of Present Truth. Brother Alfred had translated it into Spanish, and I had 50 copies for distribution. This was a lively discussion, but many people seemed to be truly blessed by the message.
This was our last day of meetings at the hotel. It was with joy that we embraced each other, knowing that we would be united again the next day at the local church. We moved to the home of a dear sister who had a small apartment built on top of her house for visitors. It reminded me of the Shunammite woman who built a room for Elisha to use when he was passing through (2 Kings 4:8-11).
In the evening, Brother Renny shared another wonderful message on the death of Christ and how false theories about God undermine our understanding of His sacrifice. Several people we had invited the night before attended to hear the message. It was beautiful to see the light shining in the community.
Sabbath April 4
I was asked to share a message for Sabbath School on the sacred names. Several people had questions about whether or not we must use Hebrew names for the Father and Son. They wanted a clear Bible explanation of this topic. We saw that Abraham called on the name of the Lord (Genesis 12:7, 8), and we also saw that he did this without using the actual name of God, because he didn’t know that name. Hundreds of years after Abraham died God told Moses, “And I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by the name of God Almighty, but by my name JEHOVAH was I not known to them” (Exodus 6:3). We learned that we can call on the name of the Lord without pronouncing any special word.
We saw that declaring the name of God is sharing the character of God rather than teaching people how to pronounce a word (John 17:26). I shared my testimony of how God miraculously delivered me from an extended acid trip when I asked Jesus into my heart, even though I did not use any Hebrew words. God loves us so much that He is willing to give up everything for us. He is not so concerned about what sound comes out of our mouths when we call upon Him as He is with the condition of our hearts. He can and will transform us if we invite Him to live in our hearts in whatever language we use. God can speak every language fluently, and “God is love” (1 John 4:8).
I cautioned people against viewing God as so extremely cruel that He would destroy someone for not pronouncing His name correctly. When you see God in this way, it will definitely change your character into something that nobody will like. As we behold God, we are changed into the same image, whether that is a good perception of God or a false one (2 Corinthians 3:18). This message was received well, even though some still desired to see God as being extremely concerned with hearing the sound of His name correctly.
The next message was shared by Brother Ruben about the importance of putting Christ first in all things, including every topic of study. He showed that the Scriptures are designed to lead us to Christ (John 5:39). We saw the danger of viewing the teachings of the Scriptures as intellectual knowledge instead of a love letter from the God of the universe.
After lunch, we had an open session of questions and answers about the different messages that were presented. There were many questions on nearly every topic presented. It was nice to see the interaction of the people who had been attentively listening to the messages. This meeting lasted for over three hours, and everyone seemed to appreciate the opportunity to get some of their questions addressed.
Brother Renny shared the final meeting of the public evangelistic conference on the subject of our High Priest, Jesus Christ, showing the importance of His work for us now. The people were very responsive to learning more about the One who “ever liveth to make intercession” for us (Hebrews 7:25).
Brother Alfred also gave a testimony of how he was picked up on the way to the meetings by a taxi driver and was surprised when it happened to have been a driver to whom he had given my book, God’s Love on Trial, a few days earlier. The driver related that he had shared the book with his wife, who read the first chapter and related she loved it and plans to finish reading it. Alfred told me that the experience really impressed him and reaffirmed the idea that we sometimes don’t know how far one moment of witnessing may reach; that we should reach out and let God do His work through us.
Sunday, April 5
Brothers Renny and Ruben left for home, and Alfred and I moved back to the home of Alfred’s uncle, Julio, for our last night in the Dominican Republic. We spent some final hours with our wonderful hosts who had been so hospitable. Some of Alfred’s extended family came for a visit, and it was a pleasure to meet these wonderful children of God. I came to really appreciate this family and their love for one another.
Monday, April 6
Alfred left for the airport in the morning, and I stayed longer to have a Bible study with one of the local ministers before I left in the afternoon. At the airport I had several opportunities to meet people from different walks of life. It was thrilling to interact with them and share some encouraging words and literature where I could. A few wanted to begin receiving our monthly newsletter, Present Truth. You never know how far an act of sharing will go. Jesus shared God’s love with one lady at a well, who went and shared it with many others, and soon most of the city came to hear from Jesus (John 4:5-42).
Conclusion
There are many wonderful people in the Dominican Republic, and there is a universal need for a deeper understanding of God’s love. Please keep all these brethren in your prayers. God cares about us tremendously and wishes that we prosper and be in health (3 John 1:2). He loves us so much that He gave His Son to die for us. No amount of circumstances can take that away. “He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?... For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:32, 38, 39).
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Bible Study Bookmarks
by Pat Kroeger

I was in the finishing stages of my first bookmark on the topic of the gospel as it relates to righteousness by faith. During a visit, a friend was reliving the nightmare of when her brother was murdered years ago. She’s a practicing Christian who believes in the hope of the resurrection, but she doesn’t have a true understanding about death. My heart went out to her because I know there is more comfort in the truth, but the door wouldn’t open to more than a few simple thoughts. That’s when it occurred to me to do my next bookmark on what really happens when we die. That way I can just hand it to her and let her read about it in a more comprehensive way.
However, the Lord has His own agenda. I also know a young couple who are exasperated with their three year old. I meet with them once a month, and every month it’s the same sad story. He is a rowdy little thing and strongly self-willed. Apparently, he has never been taught what it means when mommy says “no.” I have offered little bits of advice here and there, and she’s been willing to listen, but it’s a business relationship and I must tread carefully. That’s when I knew the Lord was leading me to do a bookmark on Biblical child training for my next project. It is a race against time in this instance because that little fellow isn’t getting any younger, or respectful.
Thankfully, the bookmark is finished. The next time I see this young mother I plan to have something tangible to offer her, and give all the glory to God.
The text of this bookmark
Biblical Help for Child Training
Parents are constantly challenged with raising healthy, well-behaved, moral children. “Why does my sweet Johnny throw such a tantrum?” The reason little Johnny is selfish and wants his way is because it’s his nature (Eph 2:2-3). He inherited that nature just like everyone else (Ps 51:5), thanks to our great, great, great… Grandpa Adam (Rom 5:12-14). It’s called the carnal nature or “the flesh” (Rom 8:6-8).
Adam’s fall from the spirit of grace separated him from his Creator and brought a condition upon the human race where everyone born is born of the flesh (John 3:6), with a self-serving sin nature (Ps 58:3). We see the evidence in even the smallest of children. 
Doing “good” by following rules is just temporary window dressing (Gal 3:10). Eventually, we will always resort to the flesh because the truth of who we are is on the inside, in our hearts and minds (Jer 17:9; Rom 7:18).
What we need is a new nature. That’s why Jesus said we must be born again (John 3:3-5). And that’s why He died on the cross – to take our old sin nature to the grave (Rom 6:6; John 12:24-27) and to raise us up a new man (2Cor 5:17) with a new nature – Christ’s own divine nature (2Pet 1:4). It is only Jesus Christ who can accomplish this (Eze 36:26-27) because He is the new man that we must “put on” (Gal 3:27; Eph 4:22-24). Indeed, He accomplished this for us 2,000 years ago. All we must do is believe it and accept it (Joh 3:16; Rom 1:16-17; 10:8-11) and let Christ live His perfect life within us through His Spirit (Rom 8:9-10; Eph 3:16-19).
“Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.” (Pro 22:6).
In the meantime, little Johnny is too young to understand he has a sin problem and needs a Savior. It’s your role as a parent to stand in his stead and choose for him until he is old enough to choose for himself. He will need training and discipline to hold him in check and teach him about Jesus until he’s old enough to choose for himself (Deut 6:6-7). 
But how do you prepare your child to give his heart to Jesus Christ?
(Back)  
1.	Start with your own relationship with God: you too need a Savior (Rom 6:23; 1John 5:12). 
2.	Pray and study daily to keep that relationship alive (John 15:5; 2Tim 2:15; Ps 55:17; Jer 32:39). 
3.	Pray for wisdom (1Cor 1:30; Jas 1:5; Pro 3:5-7). 
4.	Teach your child daily to pray and read from the Bible (Gen 18:19; 2Tim 3:15). Draw him near to God and God will draw near to him (Jam 4:8).
5.	Love openly: apply hugs and kisses daily. (Mark 10:13-16; 1John 5:1-2). 
6.	Unplug: guard the avenues to your child’s mind. Avoid TV, video games, cartoons, etc., which are a source of influence and stimulation that can negatively impact his attitude (Pro 3:21-24; 4:23; 1Joh 2:15-17; 5:19-21).
7.	Face Time: instead, engage him in 1-on-1 learning activities for precious bonding time. Children are happier when learning: supply a steady stream of healthy options (Ps 127:3-5). 
8.	A child only knows what you teach him: avoid negative reinforcement, such as saying he’s bad or “getting on your nerves”, etc., either to him or within earshot. Instead of telling him what he’s doing wrong teach him what he should be doing right (Pro 1:8; 29:17).
9.	Discipline consistently (Pro 13:24; 22:15). Use age-appropriate methods that fit the offense: spanking (a.k.a. “the rod”: Pro 29:15) is a training tool, not punishment, and must only be applied with patience and love, never anger; timeouts are quiet time (no talking or playing), customarily with 1 minute of time-out per year of age. Afterwards, calmly explain what he did wrong and why he was disciplined (Pro 15:1). 
10. Never abuse your child (Matt 18:6, 10; 7:9-12; Ps 103:10-18), not even verbally (e.g. yelling: Pro 15:18). If need be, step away while you cool off (Jam 1:20). See Rule #5.
11. Don’t taunt or provoke your child (Col 3:21).
12. No Sassing Zone: teach respect for you and others (Ex 20:12; 1Pet 2:17; 1Ti 4:12).
13. Rule your child, don’t let your child rule you (Pro 19:18; 29:17; Heb 12:11). You’re not a friend, you’re the parent – act like it and be the adult.
14. Go long: plan for eternity (Mal 3:17; 1Joh 2:28).
15. Never underestimate the desire of Satan to destroy you and your child (1Pet 5:8). 
16. Never underestimate the desire of God to heal and restore (1Joh 4:4; Luke 1:37). It’s never too late, start today (Rom 13:11; Isa 55:6-7).

(Contact us to receive your own color copies. Pat is in the process of preparing more bookmarks on various topics.   Editor)
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Something for the Young at Heart
This month we are continuing a series of studies written by my children. In order to maintain the flow of the study, this crossword puzzle is not split into Across and Down sections—Across or Down is indicated at the end of each line. (The KJV is required.)

To complete this crossword, please download the PDF version of this newsletter.
The Only Begotten Son of God – by Zachariah Beachy
› “No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the ____ of the Father, he hath declared him.” John 1:18—6 Down
› “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only ____ Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16—17 Across
› “He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten ____ of God.” John 3:18—11 Down
› “In this was manifested the ____ of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.” 1 John 4:9—16 Down
› “He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the ____, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.” Daniel 3:25—5 Down
› “Who hath ascended up into heaven, or descended? who hath gathered the wind in his fists? who hath bound the waters in a garment? who hath established all the ends of the ____? what is his name, and what is his son’s name, if thou canst tell?” Proverbs 30:4— 14 Down
› “Before the mountains were settled, before the ____ was I brought forth.” Proverbs 8:25—2 Down
› “For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he ____ to the Son to have life in himself.” John 5:26—8 Down
› “And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of ____, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass.” Revelation 2:18—7 Down
› “And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my ____ Son, in whom I am well pleased.” Matthew 3:17— 12 Across
› “And there came a voice out of the ____, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him.” Luke 9:35—3 Across
› God “Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed ____ of all things, by whom also he made the worlds.” Hebrews 1:2—9 Down
› “Who being the brightness of his glory, and the ____ image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high.” Hebrews 1:3—10 Across
› “Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by ____ obtained a more excellent name than they.” Hebrews 1:4—1 Across
› “For unto which of the ____ said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son?” Hebrews 1:5—4 Down
› “And again, when he bringeth in the ____ into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him.” Hebrews 1:6—5 Across
› “Who is the ____ of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature.” Colossians 1:15—13 Across
› “He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us ____ things?” Romans 8:32—15 Across

Note: If you or your children would like to participate in preparing Crossword Bible studies, send us a Bible study in the format above, with one word missing and replaced with a blank ____. Put the missing word at the beginning of the paragraph followed by a colon: (Make sure that you do not use the same word twice). Make sure each verse is relevant to the study and provide approximately 20 verses). If you send this to us we may be able to include it in an upcoming issue of Present Truth.
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Editor: Lynnford Beachy, PO Box 315, Kansas, OK 74347, phone: (304) 633-5411. Jim Raymond, phone: (407) 421-6025, e-mail: newsletter@presenttruth.info.