Note from Les

Dear friends, First of all, thank you from the bottom of our hearts for all the cards and letters. We are nearly overwhelmed with the outpouring of prayers on our behalf even though sometimes it seems God does not always answer as we think he should. Iris's hip has been quite the ordeal. The original pinning did not accomplish anything and just caused a lot of severe pain that has stretched out for 8 months now. Unfortunately, she has been reduced to the wheelchair full-time. But, we found one of the best hip surgeons in Oklahoma and he will do a total replacement on June 17 if all goes according to plan. The original replacement surgery was scheduled for May 6 but on May 3, Iris had to have emergency abdominal surgery again for another intestinal blockage so that threw her replacement surgery out for another six weeks. As it is, the surgeon claims that she will be walking without pain by the time you are reading this newsletter. Consequently we are stepping out in faith and making arrangements for our annual retreat in Wisconsin on August 18th, 19th and 20th. Thanks to your support, the ministry continues to grow. We have sent out almost 100,000 of the Question-and-Answer books over the years and they still continue be an item of interest so we thank you for your prayers and ask that you keep on praying! I also want to thank everyone who has sent birthday and/or anniversary greetings to us in the month of June. We are thankful that I have been able to celebrate another birthday and that we have been blessed to celebrate 61 years of marriage. It has been wonderful and we praise the Lord.

What in the World?

In Matthew 24:3, the disciples asked about signs of the end. Jesus' direct answer in verse four was, “let no man deceive you”. In other words, one of the signs is deception or confusion. Now, Matthew 24 is totally tribulation ground, but the world has been warned for end time events. So, even though we are not seeing the super-natural events of the tribulation which are truly prophesied (i.e. the 2 witnesses of Revelation 11), common sense tells us the world cannot be made ready for the appearance of the Anti-christ and the False Prophet over night. So, we are naturally witnessing all the preparations. I have often likened it to getting ready before the curtain goes up. Therefore, when Jesus warned of deceivers, it follows that we can see that beginning to happen before the tribulation begins.

One of the many deceptions cascading on the Christian community like an avalanche, is the claim that the Body of Christ will go into or even through the tribulation.

The one cord that binds all these deceivers together is the rejection of Paul's Apostleship. For Paul alone reveals the doctrines, practices and the end of the Body on earth. For example, Paul alone reveals a salvation based on faith and faith alone in the finished work of the Cross; how Christ died for the sins of the whole world; how that His shed Blood and our faith in it brings justification; how the power of His resurrection is imparted to us when we believe; how that Jew and Gentile are saved the same way; etc. Paul alone gives instructions concerning Deacons (no one else uses the term) and alone gave instructions for the local church. So, also, Paul alone teaches us the end of the Body of Christ on earth. Consequently, Paul alone gives us the Scriptures concerning what many now ridicule - the rapture or the catching up of the Church which is His Body. The language of I Corinthians 15:51-54, I Thessalonians 4:13-18, II Thessalonians 2:1-3 cannot be found anywhere else in our Bible.

Every book that listeners send me advocating a later out-calling mixes these verses with all other verses that apply only to the Second Coming when Christ will stand on the Mount of Olives. If you mix Paul's doctrine concerning the rapture of the Church with the Second Coming, then you mix law and Grace. And, when you mix law and Grace, Satan smiles and God is grieved.

In II Timothy, Paul paints a vivid picture of America today. But, in Titus 2:13, he gives us the Blessed Hope of the believer - the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ. I have to believe we are getting close. I trust none of you will be "left behind."

A little bit of trivia

How many "death escapes" does the Bible document? Answer: unknown. We know that Lazarus and the little girl where are raised from the dead but died again, we know that Jesus was resurrected to everlasting life, and we know that Enoch and Elijah were taken to heaven without dying. What we don't know is how many people were resurrected at the same time as Lord Jesus :-)

Laura's Note

Every time that it's time to write my little article for the newsletter, I wonder how many more newsletters there are going to be until the trumpet.... I often find myself wondering if perhaps it could be this year or is it going to be another 20 years? Although I don't think it will be another 20 years, we know that only our Father in heaven knows – and all we can do is watch for the clues. In the last newsletter, I wrote the note saying that Israel is the clue to really watch and I found it very interesting that the United States is now out of the negotiations and it looks like the Vatican is going to step in. For those of us who enjoy prophecy, this is an interesting development that should have been expected. I think the majority of Bible teachers teach that the United States does not seem to be involved in end time happenings and although I firmly believe that we as believers should be interested in watching the "peace process", considering that whoever is going to become the antichrist will be the negotiator that finally accomplishes things. I have come to think that we may not see too much progress made in that process before we are called home to glory. Whatever the case, keep watching for the clues and keep an ear turned upward. :-)

Every once in a while, we get a call from someone asking if we will know our loved ones in heaven. The following are the verses that I found that certainly seem to indicate that the answer is yes.

* 1 Corinthians 13:12
* 2 Samuel 12:23
* Matthew 17:3&4
* Luke 16:19–31
* 1 John 3:2

Major prayers of the Bible

There are 650 prayers noted in God's word. Listed here are 10 that you might find of interest:

* The Lord's prayer --Matthew 6:9 – 15
* Tax collectors prayer--Luke 18: 13
* Habakkuk's prayer--Habakkuk 3:2–19
* Ezra's prayer--Ezra 9:5 – 15
* Daniel's prayer--Daniel 9:1–19
* Hezekiah's prayer--Isaiah 38:2–8
* Jabbez's prayer--1 Chronicles 4:10
* Hannah's prayer--1 Samuel 2:1-10
* Jehoshaphat's prayer-- 2 Chronicles 20:5–20
* Christ's prayer--John 17

God loves spiritual fruit… not religious nuts.

Office News

We have two very important things to note. First, as we mentioned in the last newsletter, we've had to start charging postage for foreign orders due to Postal Service rate increases. Packages will have to be weighed in order to know the exact cost, but will never be more than the price we pay. The ministry absorbed the cost of mailing outside the United States for many years, so it is with regret we will have to start passing these charges on to our foreign customers whom we appreciate very much. Please be aware that all of the "Through the Bible" programs are available to read or listen to (for free) at our website www.lesfeldick.org. You can also watch many of the shows on YouTube.

Second, depending on the station you watch, "turn around" will take place either July 23rd or 30th. This occurs when the last program that was recorded airs, and we start again with the very first show. Les recorded a total of 984 programs between 1990 and 2009. Those programs were filmed (and aired for several years) as weekly shows. It takes a little less than four years for them to all air as daily (Monday through Friday) programs. Unfortunately, it may be a little more difficult to keep up with what lesson, number and part you are watching, since early on they did not write those numbers on the chalk board. As we go back to those early shows, God's hand on Les Feldick Ministries is very evident. Little did Les, Iris, and those attending the classes know that in 2014 those programs would still be airing, and not just in Tulsa but all over the United States and around the world! We believe the teaching to be as relevant now as ever. It's always encouraging to hear from people who are finding the program for the first time and call us to say they have been blessed by it.

Salvation verses

Have you ever found yourself in a place where someone has asked you to help him/her come to know the Lord as their Savior? Here are some verses to jot in the front of your Bible that may be a big help. Of course we love 1 Corinthians 15:1–4 as well as Ephesians 2:8&9, but the "Romans road" verses are great also and they are; Romans 3:23, Romans 6:23, Romans 5:8, Romans 10:9, and Romans 10:13.

Why Do Bad Things Happen to God's People?

Such a question implies that God is at fault. But God makes no mistakes --- He is perfect in all His ways. Dennis Pickering defines five ways God uses problems to refine us as Christians: God uses problems to DIRECT us. Problems often point us in a new direction and motivate us to change.

"Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way of everlasting." Psalm 139:23-24

God uses problems to INSPECT us. Sometimes people are like tea bags -- we find out what is inside when they are in hot water.

"Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad; for great is your reward in heaven." Matthew 5:11-12a

God uses problems to CORRECT us. Sometimes we learn the value of something -- health, possessions, friendships -- only when we lose them.

"It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes." Psalm 119:71

God uses problems to PROTECT us. A problem can be a blessing if it protects us from harm in the future. A man was fired for refusing to do something unethical. Unemployment was a problem, but it saved him from a criminal conviction when management's misdeeds were revealed.

"We know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28

God uses problems to PERFECT us. God is more interested in our character than our comfort. Our relationship to Jesus and our character are the only things we will take with us into eternity.

"We glory in tribulations also; knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope." Romans 5:3-4

The problems we face will either defeat us or help us grow, depending on how we respond to them. God is at work in our lives even when we do not realize it or understand it.

Note from Iris

I asked that the above article be put in because I know that everyone experiences bad times. Les wrote of my problems but I must add A BIG THANK YOU! Thank you for everything and I wish I could write to each of you individually but I can't so this is a small thing to say, especially for all the prayers! All I can say is a heartfelt GOD BLESS YOU.

SEVEN

We know that the number seven is seen over and over and over in God's word. It is God's number – the number of completion.

Below are just a few of the sevens found in God's word – thought you might find it interesting.

The seven I am's (found in the Gospel of John)
The seven statements of Jesus on the cross
The seven churches of Revelation
The seven parables of the kingdom
Seven pieces of furniture in the tabernacle
Seven days of the feast of unleavened bread
Seven priests with seven trumpets (in Joshua)
Seven lambs for the Day of Atonement
Seven days of burnt offering
Sprinkling blood seven times before the Tabernacle
Seven lamps of the Lampstand
Seven Sabbaths within the feast of days (Between Passover and Pentecost)
The seven feasts of Israel
Seven days of unleavened bread
Jacob serving seven years for Rachel (As well as seven for Leah)
The seven days of creation.

And there are many more and then much more if you look at multiples of seven.

Interesting tidbit: the Old Testament is referenced in some way over 350 times in revelation.

Faith is just believing
What God says he will do;
He will never fail us,
His promises are true.
If we but receive him,
His children we become:
Faith is just believing
This wondrous thing is done!

Iris’s Recipe Corner

Chocolate Goodies

42 oz Chocolate or white almond bark
2 C. Rice Crispies
2 C. Captain Crunch Peanut butter Cereal
2 C. Red skinned peanuts

Melt almond bark according to package add remaining ingredients. Spoon mixture onto wax paper and let cool.
ENJOY!!!

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