Note from Les

Dear Friends, Once again I get to answer all of your letters at one time. I try to answer all letters containing questions but how I wish I could answer every one. Yes, we still read all the cards and letters and how we love them! As I've said before, we weep with you who are in sorrow and beam like a morning sunrise when you share your blessings. What a thrill to have the feeling of family.

The October trip was once again like a taste of heaven. From Indianapolis to Columbus to Pittsburgh to Duncansville to Berkeley Springs to Hendersonville to Chattanooga-Jasper. Our total attendance was over 4000 and Iris and Beverly, with the help of many volunteers, sold a bunch of materials. We arrived home on "cloud nine" but exhausted. But what a joy to see so many friends made on previous trips and meeting so many new ones and to hear over and over "the Lord through you has changed my life." The Lord blessed us with gorgeous weather and safety on the road-- 3500 miles! Thank you for your prayers and support!

What In The World

"Deception"

Over and over-- at least eight times from the pen of the apostle Paul-- the Scriptures warn us not to be deceived. In II Timothy 3:13, Paul writes "but evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived." Deception today is coming in many different forms. The emergent church movement, which on the surface may sound enlightening to the untaught, is actually blatant in its unscriptural approach, and a subtle movement taking the church back under the pope.

Furthermore, there is the constant attack on the veracity of the word of God-- some blatant and some more subtle. I recently read an article that was ridiculing the idea of taking the Bible literally. That began of course with Origen, who among other heresies, promoted taking Scripture figuratively. He was the one to introduce replacement theology and it permeated the vast majority of Christendom-- both Catholic and Protestant. That deception has carried on for nearly 2000 years. Consequently, almost no knowledge of the end time prophecy is in many of our churches today. If Israel disappeared shortly after the Roman destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple, as Origen taught, then naturally no prophecy can be fulfilled because the heart of prophecy is Israel. What a deception! Further deception is destroying the glorious gospel of grace by bringing all the various works religions onto center stage. But the more deception we see, the closer we are to the Lord's shout and trumpet. Remember the word trumpet is singular in Paul's letters-- not plural as in the book of Revelation. The rapture too is coming more and more into the gun sights of the deceivers. Very few pastors and preachers ever mention it and it is being ridiculed far more than encouraged. But as Paul wrote in II Thessalonians 2:3, "let no man deceive you." Stay with the truth of Scripture. II Peter 3:15-16. "And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction".

Laura's Note

It is common knowledge that God's Word is so complex that we, while yet on this earth, will never begin to peel back the layers of its complexity nor be able to grasp the infinite wisdoms held between its covers. It always amazes me and yet it shouldn't. One such example though-- at least for me-- pertains to the rock found in Revelation 2:17. A stone in biblical times carried with it several meanings including holding a meaning of special friendship between two friends. It also could be used to prove blood relationships in court settings. Another judicial reason was that it could be given showing acquittal in a trial. Yet another purpose of the stone was that they were given to the winner of athletic games and the stone would allow them access to the celebration for the victors after the games. How intriguing that just one word out of one verse could serve as the basis for an entire sermon as each of these uses of the stone can easily be seen in its application to a believer. Whether we as grace age believers will actually be given a stone when we get to heaven is an interesting thought but it is not what is important-- at least to me. It is the analogy or object lesson that can be learned. My savior is my friend and we have become family because what he did for me on the cross, all my wrongdoings have been acquitted, and I'm going to be allowed access to the greatest celebration of all-- the marriage supper of the lamb.

Most of us have heard the old question "why do bad things happen to good people?" We as believers can take it a step further and perhaps ask "why do bad things happen to children of God?" I have thought a lot about this since my accident and I have come up with several reasons why God allows bad things to happen to believers. The word to take note of though, is the word "allows." I still firmly maintain that all bad things originate with Satan and all bad things happen because this earth, right now, is under the control of Satan. However, I do believe that God allows things to happen for numerous reasons-- and probably a combinations of reasons. We can never understand the mind of God nor is it our place to try. After all, he sees the big picture while we have such finite minds. Nevertheless, we as humans seek answers so I have compiled several reasons why I think bad things happen to God's children.

Number one: God's Word tells us that he can use bad things to test us. Number two: those times of testing can grow our faith. Number three: tribulation can bring us closer to him. Number four: our trials can end up being a testimony to others-- to either grow their faith, or even more importantly, bring them to a place of salvation. Number five: bad things can be used as a chastisement. [I don't think grace age believers see this happen very often because we are under Christ's righteousness but perhaps this may still be a reason.] Number six: to bring us more glory once we get to heaven. Number seven: to drive us to His Word, whether it be to find peace, strength, encouragement, or what ever. Number eight: to get us in a situation where he can bless us. I have looked at myself and I believe that I see little bit of every one of those reasons in the testing that I have gone through. How wonderful to know though that, regardless of why bad things happen, God and His Word are always there to turn to! [For an excellent example,] 1 Peter 1:6-9 - "6 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold testing 7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: 8 Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: 9 Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls."

Office Note

Thank you, friends, for another great year from those of us who are privileged work in the office of Les Feldick Ministries. Upon answering the phone, we are often greeted with surprise from a caller who didn't expect to talk to a "real person." I guess it is unusual in this day of computers and answering systems to do things the "old fashioned" way and talk with people who call with questions about the products, orders, or just the ministry in general. We are thankful for the fellowship and connection we share with many of you as we answer the telephones each day.

We would like to thank you all for your patience during this busy time of year. When we get behind on mail, it is as frustrating for us as it is for you. Therefore, it can't be stressed enough how helpful it is in processing your checks that you designate on the memo line what it is to be used for. For example, if you want DVD #1, please write, "send or order DVD #1" on the memo line. (If you just write "DVD #1" we have to check the system to see if this is something you have already ordered and are paying for, or if you indeed want us to send it). If you are making a payment on an order that you have received, please include the "invoice number" or "payment" on the memo line, and if you are sending a gift, write 'donation' or 'gift' to let us know that is what you would like it to be used for. Also, please include your name and full address on any correspondence intended for Les. Finally, if you would like a year-end receipt for contributions given in 2011, please call and ask us to send it to you.

One other very important detail we want to let you know is that 100% of all donations still go to the purchase of TV and radio airtime. The running and upkeep of the office and wages for the staff comes from product sales only. Considering that you can read and/or listen to all of the material FREE any time at www.lesfeldick.org, it is a winning situation for everyone.

Questions and Answers

What does God's Word say about man's ability to participate in assuring his salvation? Ephesians 2:1-3 "1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; 2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others."

Paul is writing to believers in this passage, and reminding them of how spiritually helpless they were before they were redeemed. He describes this helplessness in three ways. First, He reminds them that they were spiritually dead, having no relationship with God. The dead cannot hear, make decisions, or think. There is no life potential in them, either physically or spiritually. Secondly, they are in spiritual bondage because Satan has them under control. He works through the socially adept, the cultured, the polished political leaders, but also sneak thieves, character assassins, and some "wanna be mega church preachers" - all wolves in sheep's clothing. Paul's third description of sinners is that they are rebellious by nature. Looking back into our pre-salvation years gives clear credence to that evaluation, and great thanksgiving for the grace that rescued us. The problem with sinners isn't only that they live in bondage to Satan and cannot free themselves, but also even if they could they wouldn't live their lives any differently. The Prophet Jeremiah said, "Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? Neither can you do good who are accustomed to doing evil." David wrote, "Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me." This precious passage, that Paul was inspired to write to encourage believers of this dispensation, clearly states that God has done it all, and those who receive it can do nothing but praise Him for His matchless grace, now and forever.

Ephesians 2:4-9 "4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: 7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast."

What happens to a believer when they die? I feel there is only one Scripture that gives an answer and that is II Corinthians 5:1-8 "1 For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 2 For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven: 3 If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked. 4 For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life. 5 Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit. 6 Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: 7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight:) 8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord." Here Paul is revealing the eternal state versus the physical. In verse one, we have the assurance that when this earthly tabernacle [temporary tent-our body] goes back to the dust, is not the end because we have an eternal [permanent] house [body] waiting for us in glory. In verse six, we have our present condition and that is that we are in our physical body. Consequently, we walk this life in the physical by faith-by simply believing and trusting His word. But when physical death comes, we will be instantly transferred in soul and spirit to God's presence. Scripture does not say what our state will be until the resurrection day but at the rapture, those departed soul/spirits return with Christ to be placed into the new eternal body. For us who are still here at the rapture, it will be an instantaneous metamorphosis into the new eternal body. Philippians 3: 20-21 "20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: 21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself." I Thessalonians 4:13-18 "13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. 15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words." I Corinthians15:51-53 "51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality."

New Seminars Products on DVD or VIDEO:

2011 Arden Hills MN (4 ½ hrs.) or 2011 Osceola WI (4 ¾ hrs.) - Arab World - Islam - Dispensation - Choice - $10

2011 Ft. Dodge IA (2 hrs.) & Grandview MO (2 hrs.) - "Current Events" - Islam & Q&A - together over 4 hrs. - $10

2011 Newark OH (2 ¾ hrs.) - Early Church Fathers - Three Absolutes - Intro to Saul of Tarsus - Q &A, & Jasper, TN (1 ¾ hrs.) - Arab World - Dispensation - $10

Special # 19 - Whiteland IN 2010 - (with bonus 2011) Whiteland IN (1 ¾ hrs.) - Arab World - Raven & the Dove - $10 or 2011 "ONLY" for $5

Les Feldick Ministries 30706 W. Lona Valley Rd., Kinta, OK 74552
1-800-369-7856 or (918) 768-3218