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EDITORIAL
Beware of Church Magicians

by Norbert Link

I love to watch "magicians." To be sure, I don't like fakes or charlatans--or hypnotists or those whose performances make you wonder whether they are under some kind of spiritual influence or have "extra" help--especially if they claim that this is the case.

But I like to watch those who are really good "illusionists." I know that there is an explanation for their tricks, but I am baffled by the way they present them--apart from the fact that I can't really figure out how they do it.

Then, of course, there are "magicians" who put on a bad performance. Their "tricks" are easily discernable and predictable. We can quickly see through them--especially when they make mistakes, such as pulling a white rabbit out of a hat when it should have been a white dove....

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QUESTION AND ANSWER

How can we have complete or full joy in our lives?

In John 17:13, we read: "But now I come to You, and these things I speak in the world, that they [His disciples] may have MY JOY fulfilled in them."

Joy is one ingredient of the fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22; compare 1 Thessalonians 1:6). When Christ, through the Holy Spirit, lives in us, then HIS joy is in us and will remain in us, and our joy will become more and more full or fulfilled (John 15:11). As we need to ask God the Father for the daily renewal of the Holy Spirit, so we need to ask for the fullness of God's and Christ's joy in our lives (compare John 16:24). It is God who can fill us with all joy (Romans 15:13)--even and especially in times of trials and difficulties. It is possible for us, then, to rejoice always (1 Thessalonians 5:16; compare 2 Corinthians 6:10)....

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WORLD NEWS HEADLINES

This Week in the News

The German press reported on America's withdrawal from Iraq and nearly universally concluded that Washington's image has suffered; that America did not win the Iraq war; that America's leadership role in the Middle East is over; and that no peace is in sight for Iraq. In other words, that the war was wrong, useless and a complete failure.

We are focusing on President Obama's loss of popularity in the USA and abroad, and reporting about serious consequences of a conversion from Islam to Christianity under Muslim law. We also report on the economic downfall of the United States, with voices being heard now that we are in a great DEPRESSION.

We write about the increasing threat of Israel's military action against Iran, due to Iran's provocative actions and Russia's dubious role in the matter.

We conclude with an interesting article in USA Today about the Second Coming of Christ, mixing some truth with a lot of error.

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