Letter to our Friends - October 22, 2019

Michael C. Garrett

Minister and Overseer

Dear Friends:

Post Feast of Tabernacles and the Last Great Day greetings from Owensboro, Kentucky, USA.

We truly enjoyed fellowshipping with those we could in Owensboro, Ky. this year.

Post Feast of Tabernacles Trials

Friends, the Fall Holy Days’ season is now past. We now must again face the issues in this world (such as work, school, relatives, financial issues, etc.) which was not the same when we were enjoying and rejoicing at the LORD’s feast – the Feast of Tabernacles and the Last Great Day.

Minister Michael C. Garrett wrote the following:

“Well, regardless as to the source of your problems, troubles, and afflictions, if you suffer for righteousness sake, and if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed. But understand that God the Father and Jesus Christ will be with you and they will reward you! Notice 1st Peter – there are several passages throughout the Book of Peter, where he talks about this concept. 1st Peter chapter 1, verse 3 – “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4) to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in Heaven for you, …” – and eventually, Heaven will come to the Earth. Verse 6 – “In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, 7) that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the [appearing] of Jesus Christ, …” – so when Jesus Christ returns He will reward you for your faithfulness and your diligence, and for the battles which you fought. 1st Peter chapter 2, verse 19 – “For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully. 20) For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God.” …

Verse 21, “For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: 22) ‘Who committed no sin, Nor was [guile] found in His mouth’; 23) who, when He was reviled, …” – and this is tough as a human being. This is not easy – “…did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him [God the Father] who judges righteously; …” – that’s the example He set for us!”

(Suffering for Righteousness Sake).

Friends, while it is very difficult to rejoice in trials, God’s living Word says that we should (cf. 1 Peter 4:13; Matthew 5:11-12). Yet we, as the faithful did in the past are looking far beyond anything in this world – we are looking to the glorious coming of the Kingdom of God (cf. Hebrews 11:4-40).

Let us dear friends rejoice in God Almighty and our Lord Jesus Christ!

World News Items – here are some news items I found in my email after arriving home from the Feast

In the United States of America – the ‘In God We Trust’ nation – despite a grievous fight against by the boy’s father, the court decides that his son can now be a girl (See: ‘Unthinkable happens: Mom can FORCE ‘son’ into transgender life, court rules’). Friends, we know that our loving CREATOR emphatically says, “A woman shall not wear anything that pertains to a man, nor shall a man put on a woman’s garment, for all who do so are AN ABOMINATION TO THE LORD your God” – Deuteronomy 22:5. As well as Leviticus 18:22 – “You shall not lie with a male as with a woman. IT IS AN ABOMINATION.” These God-given laws are not antiquated. They are not outdated! They are still very much valid for the nations of Israel as well as the Gentile nations.

In Germany – German Chancellor Angela Merkel has admitted that German multiculturalism has utterly failed (See: ‘Merkel Admits German Multiculturalism Has "Utterly Failed"’). As we have been proclaiming, according to biblical prophecy, Europe will one day unite and reorganize – the rising of the final ‘beast’ power.

“Well, two factors are going to cause this seventh resurrection of the “Holy” Roman Empire.

1) I think it’s the threat of Islamic militarism.

Make no mistake my friends, the leaders of that Islamic strain of Islam, their greatest goal is to conquer you or to kill you! Don’t be confused about that! I have to say I’m embarrassed by some of our political leaders in this country that wanna make nice. “O’ these are nice people!” they say. “It’s a religion of love!” And every time I hear it I wanna say, “It twernt Lutherans that flew the planes into the Towers!” It was Islamic terrorists! And that movement is growing!

2) A revitalized Roman Catholic Church and a pope of magnificent stature.

These two factors will be the tipping point that causes Europe to say, “We must have strong leaders again! We must have a strong military again! We must protect our borders! We must protect ourselves! We must unite! Even though we have differences!”

(Prophecy Series – The Final Empire).

Also, around the world – countries that had been relatively peaceful are now a powder keg waiting to explode! (See: ‘6 Warning Signs That Civil Unrest Is Imminent’). This civil unrest has been brewing for some time. I personally have been witness to many of these warning ‘signs’:

1. Bad looks when you walk on the street.
2. People that normally would be polite or indifferent, as a minimum, start to look at you in a sort of aggressive manner.
3. People disappearing off the streets.
4. Law Enforcement Officials (LEOs) presence in massive amounts in the streets.
5. Drones flying too close to LEOs control points.
6. People wearing a single color.

Indeed, our Lord and Savior say, “’ Every kingdom [nation, government, institution] divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand’” – Matthew 12:25; Mark 3:24-26; Luke 11:17. And, He also WARNS that in the end-time, “’ And as it was in the days of Noah, so it will be also in the days of the Son of Man [at His return to this earth]. … Likewise as it was also in the days of Lot: They ate, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they built; but on the day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven [from space] and destroyed them all.’” – Luke 17:26-30. The Apostle Peter admonishes us in saying that the Almighty “turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes, condemned them to destruction, making them an example to those who afterward would live ungodly” – 2 Peter 2:6.

Suggested Sabbath Service

Here is a suggested Sabbath service for this week:

● 2-3 hymns. (another free printable “Old Time Gospel” hymn site is The Old Time Gospel). To NOTE: Brother Roger is working on a hymnal songbook that will be available soon, which I will be putting into pdf for easy printing.

● Opening prayer.
● Sermonette (if you choose). The one suggested is Is There A ‘Secret Rapture’?
● Announcements (if any) and one hymn.
● Sermon. The one suggested is Our Earthly Tabernacles by Michael C. Garrett. (Many more sermons are available at http://www.owensborochurchofjesuschrist.com/.
● Final hymn.
● Closing prayer.

IN CASE YOU HAVE NOT RECEIVED A ‘LETTER TO OUR FRIENDS’ FOR ANY WEEK, REMEMBER WE HAVE MANY SERMON MESSAGES ON THE Owensboro Church of Jesus Christ website. Also, there are audio sermons on our Soundcloud Radio channel.

Concluding Comments

Brother John was inspired by the Lord our God to write the following:

5) "This is the Message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that GOD is light and in Him is no darkness at all. 6) If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7) But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin" - 1 John 1:5-7; NKJV.

Friends, let us always walk in the light of truth. Let us NEVER practice darkness. Believe that our Lord Jesus can cleanse us from all sin.

"Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. 30) And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31) Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. 32) And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as GOD in Christ forgave you" - Ephesians 4:29-32; NKJV.

As far as fellowship with one another goes, let us meet with other brethren when we can.

In deep gratitude and love, in Jesus' name,