Present Truth
#225

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
“Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour.” (Titus 1:4). Instead of using “I’m human” as an excuse to walk in the flesh, try using “I’m born of God” as an excuse to walk in the Spirit.
You are Invited to our non-denominational Bible studies in Siloam Springs, Arkansas on Saturdays and Tuesdays at 7pm. You can also join us on Zoom.us or by phone at 929-205-6099, ID 2463500277. Call 304-633-5411 for more info.
Florida Camp Meeting: We will be having a camp meeting January 6-8, 2022 in DeLand, Florida. More info can be found at otgsolemnassembly.com or 870-751-2130.

In This Issue:
The Three Angels’ Messages (Part 1)
by Lynnford Beachy
New Booklet Available!
by Lynnford Beachy
Letters from our Readers
You Still Chose Me!
by Laura Beachy
Edible Wild Plants
by Lynnford Beachy
Kids’ Korner
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The Three Angels’ Messages (Part 1)
by Lynnford Beachy

Revelation chapter 13 tells us about the mark of the beast. Here we are warned against receiving the mark, and worshipping the beast or his image. This mark will be enforced by prohibiting buying and selling, and by a death penalty (verses 13-17). It is a terrible crisis that is very soon to come upon this earth. The stage for this crisis is now being set with lockdowns, stay-at-home orders, business closures, mask mandates, and mandatory medical injections (Revelation 18:23 check “sorceries” in Greek). Those who are faithful to God will not bow down to the image of the beast, nor receive his mark in their foreheads or in their hands.
Right after we are given the warning of Revelation 13, chapter 14 portrays three angels who give three messages that, if heeded, will be our safeguard during the mark of the beast crisis.
The Bible says, “And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters. And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication. And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name. Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus” (Revelation 14:6-12).
This passage is known as the three angels’ messages. Notice that only the first angel gives instructions. The second and third angels give warnings about what will happen if we do this or that, but the first angel tells us something that we should do. We are to fear God, give glory to Him and worship Him. Those are positive instructions; things that we can do to help us avoid receiving the mark of the beast.
The three messages are proclaimed by angels. Are these actual angelic beings? Literal angels are involved, yet they may not be literally preaching to humans, but rather, through humans. In fact, the Greek word translated “angel” means “messenger, envoy, one who is sent” (Thayer’s Greek Lexicon). This word sometimes refers to humans (Luke 7:24; 9:52; James 2:25). You and I can be messengers for the Lord. We are mouthpieces for these angels to preach the gospel to the world. Angels are going to unite with humans to give us the strength and the power we need to share these messages.
The Everlasting Gospel
The first angel has the everlasting gospel to preach to every nation, kindred, tongue and people—all the world. This is the culmination of Jesus’ command, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15). Gospel means good news, so this angel comes with everlasting good news that has always been good news, and will be so forever.
Notice the following verses that parallel what we have just read in Mark. “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen” (Matthew 28:18-20).
Do you start a completely new idea with the word “therefore”? No! Therefore is a conclusion based upon something that has just been said. Jesus explained, “All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore.” He goes on to say that He is with you always, even unto the end of the world. Now you can understand what the therefore is there for. Because He has received all power, we can go and teach. If He had received all this power just to keep it to Himself the therefore wouldn’t make sense. Notice what He said, “Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.” He is saying that He has received all power, therefore go and teach all nations, because “I am with you”. He is the power that attends the message. Without Him there is no power in the message. He has to be in you when you preach the gospel to the world. He preaches it through you!
I have heard it said, “Preach the gospel, and if necessary use words.” That demonstrates the importance of our character in our daily lives. It is more than just preaching! Someone can go and preach, preach, preach, but if they don’t have a life that attends the message, then the power is missing. Jesus says He is the one who has all power and if He is with you then you have that power working through you. He says with God all things are possible (Matthew 19:26), and “…without me ye can do nothing” (John 15:5).
Paul wrote, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith” (Romans 1:16, 17). I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ because it is the power of God. It is the power of God because the righteousness of God is revealed there. That is what the gospel is: the revelation of the righteousness of God.
This is what the first angel comes to preach; the revelation of the righteousness, the character, of God. This is the everlasting gospel and this has been the everlasting gospel from everlasting. This has always been good news. It has always been about revealing God’s character. Satan has thrown slander and reproach upon God’s character, saying that He is no good. That has been Satan’s attack from day one of his rebellion. Christ came to preach the gospel, to counteract the lies of Satan. The gospel is about revealing God and His character of love. That is what the everlasting gospel is. The gospel also reveals how the kingdom of God is established in our hearts. “And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come” (Matthew 24:14). So the gospel goes all the way to the end. The very last message to be given to the world is the gospel, the revelation of God’s character of love.
The first angel cries “with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters” (Revelation 14:7). He speaks with a loud voice. Remember the saying that we should preach the gospel to the entire world and if necessary use words? This loud voice includes our characters. It includes the manner in which we live. “Actions speak louder than words!” You can preach the gospel without saying a word. This angel, or messenger, comes with a loud voice and I think we can see in that a “loud life.” The life is going to be visible to the world. In fact, the Bible tells us that the Gentiles are going to come before the saints when God’s character is revealed in them (Isaiah 60:1-3; Exodus 33:18, 19). They are going to see something in God’s people that is amazing, that will cause them to take notice and say, “These people truly have selfless love for others” (John 13:35). That is a loud voice. The life speaks loudly. Of course the preaching will be loud and urgent as well.
Fear God
The first thing this angel says is, “Fear God.” Does this mean you should be afraid of God? There is a lot more to the word fear than you might think. If we fear somebody, would we enjoy being around them? No! We would want to run and hide. If we see them coming we will go somewhere else. Remember that is what Adam did when he sinned. God came looking for him, and where was Adam? He was hiding. He said, “I was afraid” (Genesis 3:10). Is that the kind of fear we are to have of God? Certainly not! We are to hold him in the utmost reverence.
Solomon wrote, “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man” (Ecclesiastes 12:13). Did you know fearing God and keeping His commandments go hand in hand? Notice that the end of the third angel’s message says, “Here are they that keep the commandments of God.” Do they have the fear of God? Of course they do. They keep the commandments of God and have the faith of Jesus. Was Jesus afraid of God? Did He run and hide? No! He did the opposite. He ran toward God! He wanted to spend every moment He could with His Father. This is somebody who feared God more than anyone; better than anyone had ever done. Yet, He was desirous to be in God’s presence as often as possible. If we have the Spirit of Christ, we will have that type of fear.
Paul wrote, “…let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear” (Hebrews 12:28). Godly fear and reverence go together. Notice it says godly fear. If there is a godly fear, there must be an ungodly fear. “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7). God never gives us ungodly fear.
The Bible says, “By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the Lord men depart from evil” (Proverbs 16:6). Departure from evil is a fruit of the fear of God. The Bible also says, “The fear of the Lord is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate” (Proverbs 8:13). So here we see that the fear of the Lord is to hate evil. Do you and I naturally hate evil? No, naturally we have a love for evil and a hatred for righteousness. What did Jesus have? He definitely had the fear of the Lord. The Bible tells us that He “loved righteousness, and hated iniquity” (Hebrews 1:9). That is a description of His character. That is a picture of what He is like. Is this to be your experience today? How can you get that? Only by having Him dwell within. Jesus said, “I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing” (John 15:5). If you do not allow Christ to live in you, “ye have no life in you” (John 6:53). Having Christ living within is the only way we can get that fear that hates evil.
Being afraid of God is a result of our sinful condition. The Bible says that sin separates between us and God (Isaiah 59:2). This is not because God refuses to accept us after we have sinned. No, No! God has promised to accept all who come to Him through Christ (John 6:37; Ephesians 2:18). God is always “ready to forgive” (Psalm 86:5). God loves sinners so much that He gave His only begotten Son to die for everyone (John 3:16; Romans 5:8). When we sin, God doesn’t stop loving us, yet sin makes a guilty, shameful chasm between us and God so that we do not want to face Him. When we come to Christ, who has promised never to cast us away (John 6:37), He removes that barrier and we can enjoy peaceful communion with God.
The Bible says, “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love” (1 John 4:18). The fear that is cast out by perfect love is ungodly fear. When God fills your heart with His love you no longer need to be afraid of anything. God wants to flood your heart with His love. The Bible says, “the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us” (Romans 5:5). Jesus said God is more willing to do this for you than any earthly father is willing to give good gifts to his child (Luke 11:13). If you ask God to give you His Spirit, and believe in your heart that He does it, you will receive it and it will shed abroad God’s perfect love in your heart, casting out all ungodly fear. The result is complete trust in God.
God asked Abraham to offer the ultimate sacrifice, his own son. When Abraham was about to slay his son, God sent His angel to intervene, saying, “Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me” (Genesis 22:12). I have read that before and wondered why the angel did not say, “Now I know that you love me.” Instead the text says, “Now I know that you fear me.” The word fear is a broader term that includes love along with trust, reverence and awe. The fear that Abraham had, caused him to trust God so completely that he believed He would raise his son from the dead. Godly fear includes absolute trust.
Give Glory to God
Have you ever asked yourself, “Why am I here?” or “What is the purpose of my life?” God has given us the answer! He said, “Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him” (Isaiah 43:7). Our purpose for existing is to give glory to God. It may sound like a selfish thing for God to make beings for the purpose of giving Him glory, but when we understand what this means we can be sure that it is the best and most fulfilling life we could possibly have. God is not selfish but completely full of love for everyone, wanting to share His goodness with others.
God said, “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end” (Jeremiah 29:11). God loves us so much He has given His costliest gift to ensure our benefit and success. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved” (John 3:16, 17). “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?” (Romans 8:32). God’s love is amazing, and completely empty of selfishness. Everything He does is for our “good” (Deuteronomy 10:13). God knows that it is for our good that we give glory to Him.
David wrote, “Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name; worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness” (Psalm 29:2). Another Psalm says, “Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness” (Psalm 150:2). Can we possibly give glory and praise to God enough to match His greatness? I like the song, “The Love of God,” that says:

Could we with ink the ocean fill,
And were the skies of parchment made,
Were every stalk on earth a quill,
And every man a scribe by trade,
To write the love of God above,
Would drain the ocean dry.
Nor could the scroll contain the whole,
Though stretched from sky to sky.

God’s love and greatness is limitless. If we could praise and give glory to God every minute of every day, it would never be equal to His worth. David said, “I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth” (Psalm 34:1).
Ways to Give Glory to God
The Bible describes several ways we can give glory to God. One example is found when Jesus healed ten lepers of their terrible disease. Only one returned to give thanks, “And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan. And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine? There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger” (Luke 17:15-18). Here we find that showing thankfulness to God is one way we can give Him glory.
Another way to give God glory is to confess our sins (Joshua 7:19). By doing this we are acknowledging that we are wrong and God is right and good. John was given a vision of when the seven last plagues will be poured out. He wrote, “And the fourth angel poured out his vial upon the sun; and power was given unto him to scorch men with fire. And men were scorched with great heat, and blasphemed the name of God, which hath power over these plagues: and they repented not to give him glory” (Revelation 16:8, 9). Repentance and confession is a way to give glory to God.
There will be a day when everyone will acknowledge that God is right in all He does. God said, “As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God” (Romans 14:11). Even the wicked will eventually confess that God is just in all His dealings.
God asked Moses to build a tabernacle, then He said, “And there I will meet with the children of Israel, and the tabernacle shall be sanctified by my glory” (Exodus 29:43). The tabernacle was sanctified by God’s glory. When we allow God to live in us, we will also be sanctified by His glory and reflect that glory back to God. Paul wrote of a mystery, “which is Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27). Having Christ within is the only hope of truly having glory and giving God glory. When Christ is within His glory will shine out to everyone around.
What is God’s Glory?
To give God glory, it is important to know the meaning of the word glory. One of the best biblical explanations of glory is found in Exodus where we read of Moses saying to God, “I beseech thee, shew me thy glory. And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the Lord before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy” (Exodus 33:18, 19). God defined His glory as His goodness.
The next chapter describes God fulfilling Moses’ request. “And the Lord descended in the cloud, and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of the Lord. And the Lord passed by before him, and proclaimed, The Lord, The Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children’s children, unto the third and to the fourth generation” (Exodus 34:5-7). When God revealed His glory to Moses, it was a proclamation of God’s goodness and some specific character attributes. God’s glory is His character.
Paul wrote, “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). This is an amazing text, and an important principle to remember in our daily lives. As we behold we become changed. This is true regardless of what we are beholding. Keep this in mind the next time you are tempted to behold evil because it will have an effect upon your life.
The greatest thing about this text is that it shows us how we can be changed into God’s image. As we behold His goodness, love, righteousness, longsuffering, gentleness, kindness, etc., we will be changed into the same image “by the Spirit of the Lord.” It is important to remember that this change from glory to increased glory can only happen by God’s indwelling Spirit. It is a fruitless exercise to attempt to be changed into God’s image without His Spirit living in you. It is through God’s Spirit that this change takes place from the first step to the last.
Paul said, “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things” (Philippians 4:8). God said, “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he…” (Proverbs 23:7), and, “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life” (Proverbs 4:23). What you put in your mind will come out in your life one way or another. Let Christ live in your heart, and direct your mind into the love of God, and His glory will be seen upon you.
Isaiah prophesied, “Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising” (Isaiah 60:1-3). I pray that this will be fulfilled in you and in me.
Beholding the True God
We have learned that we are changed by what we behold. If we invite Jesus to live in our hearts, His Spirit will direct our minds to behold the glory of God in the life of Jesus Christ, and we will be changed into the same image. Yet, if we behold a distorted view of God’s character, we will be changed into a distorted version of what God is like. That is why it is so important to know the true God as revealed in His word, the Bible.
One defining characteristic of God’s people in the end is that they have the “Father’s name written in their foreheads” (Revelation 14:1). That does not mean they have a tattoo ON their foreheads, but that they have the Father’s name (goodness – Exodus 33:19) IN their foreheads. In other words, the Father’s character is inside their hearts, and shines out in their daily lives (Hebrews 8:10).
For us to have the Father’s goodness manifested in our lives, we must first behold His goodness. “We love him, because he first loved us” (1 John 4:19). The primary attribute of God’s character is His unselfish love. The more we behold that love, the more it changes us into the same image. It is extremely important that we behold His love as it really is, for that will determine what we are changed into.
Worshiping the true God is the call of the first angel’s message. He says, “…worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters” (Revelation 14:7). Who is this? Jesus said, “But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him” (John 4:23). The Father is the one who made all things. He is the one “who created all things by Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 3:9).
The Bible says, “God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds” (Hebrews 1:1, 2). Notice in each case the Father is the one who created all things, yet He did this creating “by [or through] Jesus Christ.” So, God, the Father, is the source, and Jesus is the channel through whom all things were made (1 Corinthians 8:6).
It was the Father who said to His Son, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness” (Genesis 1:26). The Son was involved in creation, but He was not the source of it. He was the mouthpiece for His Father (John 3:34; 12:49, 50; 14:10). All of Jesus’ miracles were performed by the power of the Father through His angels (John 14:10; Matthew 26:53). When Jesus said to the leper, “Be thou clean,” it was the Son’s mouth moving, but the Father’s words and power (John 14:10; Acts 10:38).
The Bible says of Jesus, “All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made” (John 1:3). Jesus was there at creation, actively involved in the process of creation, yet it was His Father who was doing the creating through Him (Ephesians 3:9). The Bible says, “But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him” (1 Corinthians 8:6). The Father is the “OF whom are all things,” and Jesus is the “BY whom are all things.”
So, when the first angel calls the world to “worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters” (Revelation 14:7), it is a call to worship one particular Person, God, the Father. The angel does not say “worship THEM”, but “worship HIM”.  A singular pronoun is used in both English and in the original Greek. This does not mean we should avoid worshiping God’s Son, Jesus, for He is worthy of worship (Matthew 14:33; Hebrews 1:6). However, we should never worship the Son as if He were the Father, nor give Him credit for what His Father has done. We should worship Jesus as “the Son of the Father, in truth and love”*(2 John 1:3). This is precisely what the disciples did when they “worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God” (Matthew 14:33).
The call to worship by the first angel is specific worship of the Father as the Creator of all things. Earlier in the book of Revelation, John wrote, “The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created” (Revelation 4:10, 11). Right after this scene, the Son of God, represented as a Lamb, approaches the Father to take a book out of His hand (Revelation 5:6, 7). It is clear that God, the Father, is the one who “created all things.”
According to the Bible, only one Person is ever given credit for creating the universe, and He is God, the Father (Hebrews 1:1, 2). He did this creating by, or through, His Son, but it was still, God, the Father, doing the creating. So when, the angel is calling people to “worship HIM that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters” he is only referring to one individual, God, the Father.
Worship Reform
At the time of this angel’s message, there is a call for “true worshippers” to “worship the Father in spirit and in truth” (John 4:23). Why would this be needed at this time? Because there is confusion today about who God really is. This confusion is evident in the way people pray, showing they don’t really know to whom they are praying. Jesus said, “And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you” (John 16:23). Jesus instructed us to pray to the Father in Jesus’s name.
Worship needs reforming because many people “worship” they “know not what” (John 4:22). This confusion in worship stems from a confusion about who God is. If you do not know who God is, nor who He gave to die for your sins, then your perception of His character will be distorted. The most amazing demonstration of God’s love was displayed when He “sent His only begotten Son into the world”*(1 John 4:9). This gift proved, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that He is willing to give everything for us (Romans 8:32). Knowing this fact assures us that God loves us with all His heart, soul, strength, and mind. This knowledge is the key for us to be able to love God with all our hearts (1 John 4:19; Mark 12:30).
Deep, genuine, love for God and for people, flowing out of a pure heart, is what will guarantee your success during the crisis of the last days (1 Timothy 1:5). God’s promises of safety in Psalms 91 are based upon His love in our hearts. The Bible says, “A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee. Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.… For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.… Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name [or character of love]” (Psalms 91:7, 8, 11, 14).
Friends, do not settle for some man-made theory regarding God, but insist on the plain Bible truth. It will help to transform your character into God’s likeness more than any fable could ever possibly do. (For a thorough Bible study on the God of the Bible, request the books, The Source of Love, Understanding the Personality of God, and God’s Love on Trial.)
Conclusion
The first angel of Revelation 14 calls us to fear God, give glory to Him and worship Him. The only way we can give glory to God is to receive the glory that God gave to His Son (John 17:5), and that His Son gives to us (John 17:22). To obey this text we have to receive Him first. That is the only way we will ever reflect that glory back to God. Let us make sure we are beholding the right glory. We don’t want to be beholding a God whose character is skewed, because then our own characters will be skewed. God has made His own self available to us.
Shortly after Jesus had explained that if you have seen Him, you have seen His Father, Jesus informed His disciples that His Father would send them another Comforter. One of His disciples became confused by what He said, so he asked Jesus to explain Himself. “Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world? Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him” (John 14:22, 23). Who is going to come? Both the Father and the Son are going to make Their abode in us. If you abide in this “doctrine” you have “both the Father and the Son” (2 John 1:9).
Isn’t it amazing that God wants to make His home right here, right now, in you and in me! Jesus said, “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me” (Revelation 3:20). When Jesus comes into your heart, He does not come alone, because His Father is in Him (John 14:10; 17:23). This is the only way we can give Him glory; we must let Them in to live in our hearts. When we open the door, then the glory comes shining in because He is the glory. His own self is that glory. If you want to obey the first angel’s message you must open the door of your heart, and open it wide. Say with David, “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 everlasting” (Psalms 139:23, 24). David was opening the door, not just a crack, but all the way, asking God to search him and find out if there is any wicked way in him so that he could be led in the way everlasting.
Friends, I pray that you would do the same. Invite Jesus to come in, not just for a visit, but to live and make your heart His home. Open every part of your life to Him and keep it open for Him to abide forever.
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New Booklet Available!
by Lynnford Beachy

I am happy to announce that we have a new booklet available, which I believe will be a huge blessing to you and your loved ones.
Putting on the New Man is a Bible study that explains how you can live up to the full potential God has created you for. Knowing the magnitude of what God has done for you through Christ will unlock your reality of the new man.
God’s love has reached to the depths (Hebrews 7:25) to do abundantly above all that we can ask or think (Ephesians 3:20). Whatever hardships you are facing, the gift of Christ is more than able to give you the victories you need. Use all of the temptations that come your way as a springboard to draw you closer to God. When you are tempted, praise God and thank Him for creating you new in Christ and giving you the victory (1 Corinthians 15:57).
Never, ever, forget what God has done for you and who you are in Christ. Let God define you, not your circumstances, history, feelings, nor the opinions of others. Keep remembering who you are in Christ, and walk by faith in that reality.
I pray that this book will be a major stepping stone to enhance your relationship with God and everyone around you (Matthew 22:36-40).
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Letters from our Readers
“Thanks for teaching truth and for your books.”
Michigan
“For many years I have been blessed with your publications. They are timely and filled with much truth. I am a careful student of the Bible and I have not found anything objectionable in any issue that I have read. I hope I can continue to receive it even though at present I cannot send money to help with the cost, even though I would if I could. I have recently moved and I wish to inform you of my new address. Thanks so much.”
Canada
“Please use this contribution to keep the presses rolling. We are keeping you in our prayers.”
North Carolina
“Thank you for your ministry!”
Texas
“Brother Lynnford you are in my prayers. Hope to hear from you soon. I will send you progress notes. And yes, I want on the newsletter list. I will always want what your mission has to offer. You are the one who showed me the way to heaven. With much love your brother in Christ…”
Prisoner in Arkansas
“Present Truth, Hello, I saw your ad for your newsletter and I was hoping that you could send them to me. Thank you for your time and effort.”
Prisoner in Florida
“The reason why I am writing to you is because ____ shared your book with me. I am wondering, if I could obtain a small box of books from you, maybe around 100. How much would that cost us? Please find the most reasonable way to ship it to Iceland.”
Iceland
“I just wanted to write you a quick note of thanks for sending me the 100 Bible Facts on the Sabbath Question. Nowadays, there are a lot of Rock and Roll music concerts and football games on Sabbath. I’m surprised that there are still people out there who strive to keep the Sabbath holy!”
Indiana
“Hello Present Truth Fellowship. I would like to request a free copy of The Mark of the Beast, Shelter in the Storm, The Law of God, 100 Facts About the Sabbath, and The Source of Love. I thank you in advance for your time and consideration. The Present Truth pamphlets bring me joy and peace. May God bless you continually along your journey.”
Prisoner in New York
“I have just finished studying the Present Truth February 2011 which you sent me on feast days. The Lord has really blessed you. You write so we can make sense of this subject. Thank you.… Keep up the good work. I am praying for your ministry.”
Indiana
“Thank you for your hard work. God bless you. Blessings and Prayers.”
Tennessee
“Dear Brother Beachy, I received your little book, Putting on the New Man. Incredible writing! Please send as many as you can to give to others. Thank you! Sincerely in Christ.”
Montana
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You Still Chose Me!
by Laura Beachy

I’ve denied you a thousand times
Doubted what you could do
Didn’t see it coming in my own time
So I thought you’d never move.
But you don’t work on our time
For your plan is best it’s true.
You love me, like nobody ever has
You care for me, cause you’re the best dad
You hold me when I feel I’ve reached the end
You comfort me when I’m feeling really sad.
Even when I’ve faltered and fallen along the way…
Your word is ever true… You still chose me.
Why you still pursue me is a mystery
While I was still a sinner you bled & died for me
You would leave the ninety-nine for me
Just to search & find me…
You love me, like nobody ever has
You care for me, cause you’re the best dad
You hold me when I feel I’ve reached the end
You comfort me when I’m feeling really sad.
Even when I’ve faltered and fallen along the way
Your word is ever true… You still chose me.
You chose me
You chose me…
Oooh you chose me…
You chose me
I’m so grateful that you chose me.
Lyrics and music by:
                               Laura Beachy
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Edible Wild Plants
by Lynnford Beachy

(This content is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice, or as a substitute for the medical advice of a physician. Never eat any plant until you are absolutely certain of its identification, and that the part of the plant, and manner in which it is prepared, is safe to eat. There are many poisonous plants. Editor)
Plantain (Plantago)
Plantain (not the banana-like fruit by the same name) is one of the most valuable wild plants for food and medicine. It can be used in many practical ways, and is found in most places of the world. This plant can be used to treat chronic diarrhea as well as digestive tract disorders. By chewing fresh leaves you can make a paste that may be applied to the skin to treat minor burns, insect bites, or open wounds. The seed husks are known as psyllium, the main ingredient of over-the-counter laxative products like Metamucil. All parts of the plant are safe to eat, raw or cooked.
Identification
Plantain is very easy to identify. It grows in many yards and fields all over the world. It has five to eight “parallel” veins going down the length of the leaves starting at the base (unlike most leaves that have veins spreading out from one central vein.) When the leaves are broken apart there is an inner celery-like string in each vein. During much of its life it also has seed stalks about the size of a pencil that can be eaten cooked or raw. There are several varieties of plantain, all of which can be used in the same way with similar results. Brood leaf (pictured below) is the most common type you will find in North America. Narrow leaf plantain is quite common as well, and can be identified in the same way, but with narrow, long leaves.
Conclusion
Plantain has a mild taste. Young leaves can be eaten raw in salads, and older leaves may be cooked in soups. It is loaded with vitamins and minerals, such as Vitamin C, Calcium, Magnesium, Zinc, Betacarotine, protein, etc. It is good for food, and has many medicinal properties. After you positively identify it, give it a try.
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Kids’ Korner

To complete much of the items in Kids’ Korner, please download the PDF version of this newsletter.

Thou wilt keep him
in perfect peace,
whose mind is
stayed on thee:
because he 
trusteth in thee.
(Isaiah 26:3)

“Lord, You told me when I decided to follow You, You would walk and talk with me all the way. But I'm aware that during the most troublesome times of my life there is only one set of footprints. I just don't understand why, when I need You most, You leave me.”

He whispered, “My precious child, I love you and will never leave you, never, ever, during your trials and testings. When you saw only one set of footprints, It was then that I carried you.”
Margaret Fishback Powers, 1964
Bible Word Search
Find the underlined words…
“And I saw another angel... Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.” (Revelation 14:6, 7)

Encouraging Thoughts
I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.
(Job 23:12)

Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart.
(Jeremiah 15:16)

Even in the greatest trials,God is Love!
(1 John 4:8)

“The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.”
(Psalms 23:1-6)
Bible Study Crossword – Finding Your Identity - Part 1
(The King James Version is required.)

To complete this crossword, please download the PDF version of this newsletter.

› “Take heed, and beware of ____: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.” Luke 12:15—14 Across
Note: Your value is not determined by how many things or talents you have.
› “Now when he was in Jerusalem at the passover, in the feast day, many believed in his name, when they saw the ____ which he did.” John 2:23—10 Down
› “But Jesus did not ____ himself unto them, because he knew all men.” John 2:24—3 Down
Note: The original Greek word that was translated “believed” in verse 23 was translated into the missing word in verse 24. The meaning is the same.
› “And needed not that any should ____ of man: for he knew what was in man.” John 2:25—12 Across
Note: Many people believed on Him, but Jesus did not trust Himself to their belief. Their approval of Him did not determine His identity or His value.
› “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—1 Down
› “He that ____ not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?” Romans 8:32—13 Across
› “For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ____.” Romans 5:6—7 Down
› “For scarcely for a ____ man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.” Romans 5:7—6 Across
› “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet ____, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8—8 Down
› “For I am ____, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come.” Romans 8:38—9 Down
› “Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to ____ us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38, 39—4 Across
› “…as thou hast ____, so be it done unto thee.” Matthew 8:13—2 Down
› “Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the ____ that worketh in us.” Ephesians 3:20—5 Across
› “Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the ____ of God, and of Jesus our Lord.” 2 Peter 1:2—11 Across
Bonus
How many times can you find the word “everlasting” in the first article? ______
Answers for the Last Issue: Peace 12
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Present Truth is non-denominational Bible-study paper published by Present Truth Fellowship. It is sent free upon request. Duplication is not only permitted but strongly encouraged, as long as our contact information is retained and the content is unchanged. Present Truth is available online at www.PTFellowship.org, and you may also request to receive it by e-mail.
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Editor: Lynnford Beachy, PO Box 315, Kansas, OK 74347, phone: (304) 633-5411, e-mail: newsletter@PTFellowship.org.