January 19, 2001

Can you believe it? The new century of a new millennium just began! That’s right, the actual beginning of the new century was 1/1/2001. And with it, our first TV program aired here in Pasadena over cable channel 56 on Sunday, January 7 at 2 p.m. and again on Wednesday night, January 10 at 6 p.m. We are excited about its modest beginning. The name of the program is Your Future Today. We will keep you informed as to its effectiveness and the response in our local area. This program is a team effort and those participating are listed in the credits which appear on screen.

Your Future Today is about how decisions, actions, and beliefs today can and will affect the future. It is about turning to God today to insure the future is in good hands tomorrow. It is about repentance, right living, the things happening in the world that affect the future today. In short this title gives us freedom to talk about a broad spectrum of Biblical topics. It really is a paraphrase of Jesus’ words, "The kingdom of God is at hand." He was really talking about the future world-ruling kingdom making itself felt today.

IF YOU WOULD LIKE THIS PROGRAM in your area, please let us know. We are working with the Pasadena community access station and they will produce an original broadcast tape that can be sent to the local community access station in your area. There is space at the end of the program to list your local church address. If you are interested, we can send a regular video tape of the program for you to review. Please contact us at the Guardian Ministries address or send an email.

This is not another "doom and gloom" program that talks about problems but offers no solutions. We offer solid Biblical solutions that can be applied today to insure a better future. It is aimed at turning people to the truth of the Bible, repentance from their sinful ungodly ways of life, and to acceptance of Jesus Christ as their Lord and Master.

One of the biggest problems in the world today is that people seem blind to the effects of their own actions. They can’t seem to understand how their actions, thoughts and treatment of others affect their future consequences. In short, people often take no responsibility for their actions.

Your Future Today does not focus on fear. We are not trying scare people into repentance. However, we do plan to warn them and "cry aloud" regarding sins that bring troubles and punishments. While fear is a potent motivator, we don’t want to over use it.

People enjoy being scared – just look at the number of horror movies available. Make people afraid and they will take action. Make predictions about captivity and torture and it will scare people to take action. If they believe that the best way to avoid torture is to be a part of and support a certain work, they will do it.

Is it wrong to use fear as a motivator? Of course not. But after a while many people become deaf to fear messages. Especially when predictions have failed to come to pass year after year for many years!

Remember these words, "when a prophet speaks in the name of the LORD, if the word does not come to pass or come true, that is a word which the LORD has not spoken; the prophet has spoken it presumptuously, you need not be afraid of him" (Deut. 18:22 RSV).

Fear is healthy when used to avoid harm and danger. But, there are people who have lived in a state of fear, anxiety, and apprehension for many years! This cannot make life abundant. This cannot be the joy of the Holy Spirit. The "fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such there is no law" (Gal. 5:22 RSV). These qualities produce positive emotional feelings inside the mind and body. This is so much better for you and for your loved ones.

Paul wanted Christians to focus on positives: "whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things" (Phil. 4:8 RSV).

This brings up another principle for Guardian Ministries. We will not deal in negative emotions except to warn when we really see danger. And we don’t yell "wolf" with every thing that appears in the news. We are careful to maintain credibility. For instance, we did not predict doom over the Y2K problems last year.

Our approach to Christianity is a positive approach of changing life through the ministry of reconciliation. This results in better relationships with spouses, children, friends and even strangers. It results in cleaner, more wholesome living. It results in improved health, morality, kindness, mercy. It results in greater godly wisdom, knowledge and prosperity. It results in being resourceful in trials and a greater contact with God the Father and Jesus Christ, His Son. It is called GOOD NEWS!

People have been put into a state of fear by this passage, "And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?" (1Pet. 4:18). But once you understand it, you will be encouraged and inspired. You may use the enclosed order form to hear the climactic ending of this subject. You will understand it in its context like never before.

FEAST TAPES and MUSIC TAPE: These should be out by the time you receive this letter. They have taken longer to put together and edit than we anticipated.

WEB SITE ADDRESS: Our web site address is: www.guardian-ministries.org and you may email us from that web site. If you have changed you email address, please let us know so you won’t miss any issues of "Sabbath Thoughts for Your Week."

A big THANK YOU to so many of you who have written in support of our position not to charge for any messages or series. Thank you for your prayers. Our hope and goal is that you will be spiritually benefited by this ministry and want it to continue. Thank you again.

With Christ’s special love,

David L. Antion