Behind the Scenes with Better Life
February 2021

LIVING THE ‘GOOD’ LIFE
by Charlie Oliver,
Executive Director of Better Life

A Christian’s goal is lofty: to live a life that reflects the holiness of Jesus Christ in thoughts, words, and actions. It would be a life above reproach, one that both honors our Savior and provides a vessel from which the light of His love can shine forth. Are you overwhelmed by the thought? Is this even possible?

Every day we encounter tests by which we are measured. In these moments of decision our response can be quite revealing. Did we choose the way of the Lord or the way of the world? But in each and every test we are not without guidance. The Bible is full of stories of both successes and failures which we might aspire to or avoid. And, quite often, we find in those stories a picture of redemption, where a past failure becomes a future success, because of … “God math!”

I have thought about this a lot the past few months, as controversy and discord have inundated and at times overwhelmed our communities and our country. I have seen believers, overwhelmed by anger and distrust, react in ways that perhaps seem appropriate by worldly standards but become questionable when we make Jesus our standard.

When I find my blood pressure rising, I pray for the strength to stop, to breathe, to reflect on verses such as Matthew 6:33, which tells us to seek God first and His righteousness, and everything else will follow. And that is why the goal is achievable. Because it isn’t about me, it’s about Him. My life may be full of reproach, but it’s His life that matters. 

So now, when I feel the light of His love dimming in my heart- when I find my actions reflecting me instead of Him- by His strength I will pause, breathe, and invite Jesus and His light to push the darkness out while shining forth His goodness from within me. He’s got all the world’s drama and discord in His hands, and He simply asks you and me to allow Him to work through us.

And isn’t that the whole point of Better Life? To teach people to let go and let God control their lives? In the end He will amazingly transform us and bring us home.- CO

LOVE FROM VIEWERS

As we read over the email we realized that it had come to us from Hyderabad, India! We looked up the city on a map and saw it was located toward the center of the country but a bit more to the south. 

The email was short, but so encouraging. It said, “I have two small children and I have struggled to tell them new stories and I was searching for books etc. for them and I ended up on YouTube. By chance I came across your program, ‘Stories of Faith’. I have been watching for some time now and I share your stories with my children because I want them at an early age to believe that God can do miracles. Your programs are a great blessing, thank you.”  [Note: Edited for clarity]

Then from a country just south of India, Sri Lanka, we got another amazing email. A man wrote us thanking us for “Stories of Faith.” He said he was married with two children and that he attended the local Pentecostal mission. He had been impressed by a documentary on George Muller and was praying that he could have faith like that. Then he came across our program “Stories of Faith” on YouTube. He said it “filled [him] with joy and increased faith.” He then went on to share a story of how God healed him when he was a young child. We plan to share his story on a future program.

We also got a call from a viewer in Florida. She had just seen the “Better Life Today” program with Rebekah Hill on the topic of colportering and wanted to know how she could get involved with something like that too. We were happy to share some suggestions with her.

Next we got an unexpected email from a long-haul trucker who had stopped in Reno, Nevada, to rest when he discovered the Better Life nature channel! He said he couldn’t find anything interesting to watch on TV but he was taken with the beautiful scenery he saw on Better Life’s station. We used the opportunity to send him some other spiritual resources. We pray those attract his attention, too!

A viewer in Roseburg, Oregon, called us saying that he had discovered Better Life four or five years ago and that it had totally changed his life. He also thanked us for bringing back the “Liberty Insider” TV program.

We received a wonderful letter from a viewer that simply said, “As always, I express my love and support for the wonderful work of yours, knowing how hard it is for your ministry to survive at this horrible time, but God is on your side. Beloved Father loves you.” It’s so nice to get encouraging words like that in the mail.

A doctor in Florida wrote us saying, “I just wanted to take a moment to thank you for your ministry. The stories are always inspirational, but I especially enjoy seeing God’s love in you. Keep touching others with your gentle spirits.”

A woman from Centerbrook, Connecticut, wrote us this exuberant email: “I’m not a Seventh-day Adventist, but I’m so impressed with your show!!!! I grew up in the Catholic church, then I became Congregational, then went to a metaphysical service...I may not believe everything that your religion teaches, but what I LOVE, and what I haven’t heard in all my years of going to those different places of worship, are the stories of how God works in people’s lives that you share, and how He answers prayers, and gives signs!... I can really relate to this!... Your stories are building my faith and they uplift me.”

Friends, thank you for supporting Better Life with your prayers and financial support. You enable the Word of God to be shared far and wide!

Thank you for supporting the outreach ministry of Better Life.

NEWS NOTES

JOURNEY ‘N JOURNALS
This month a former guest of our program “Journey’s ‘n Journals” will be turning 100 years old! Evelyn Lasher and two of her triplet daughters, Robin Martin and Mary Potterf, were interviewed a few years back and we will be airing that interview on Evelyn’s 100th birthday which happens to be Valentine’s Day! So tune in Sunday, Feb. 14th, at 7pm pacific time to see this special lady! (Repeated Thursday at 12:30 pm pacific time)

Also note that the week before on Feb. 7th at the same time we will be sharing an interview with Bernie’s husband Doug and two others as they talk about their cardiac procedures.

You can find our complete schedule for Better Life TV HERE. 

NEW PROGRAMS
In the month of February we will be airing a new program from the Voice of Prophecy entitled, “Authentic.” There will be a new program each week and you can view it Mondays at 2:30pm or Fridays at 9:00pm pacific time.

Also, if you enjoy stargazing you’ll be happy to know that we’ve adjusted our schedule so that you can watch the astronomy program, “The Heaven’s Declare.” Check it out  Thursdays at 2:30 pm and Friday evenings at 9:30pm pacific time!

You can find our complete schedule for Better Life TV HERE. 

Please consider becoming a monthly donor. Your credit card or bank card can be used to make an automatic donation each month. You don’t even have to write a check! Thank you for your prayers and support. It’s never been easier to become a regular contributor to God’s work. Click HERE to go to our donation page.

Call (541) 474-3089