Letter to our Friends - October 31, 2019

Michael C. Garrett

Minister and Overseer

Dear Friends:

“Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ” – Philemon 3.

It’s been a bit more stressful than usual here in Spring Hill, Florida due to Facebook “unpublishing” and “banning” any posting on our @owensboroCOJC Page. The only reason I can come up with of why they did so (because they do not let you know how you may have violated their “community standards” or didn’t follow their “Facebook Page Policies”) is that when you advertise and promote outside of those who “like” the Page and you get “flagged” – you get banned. You have the option of “appealing” their decision, but it will take a while. It’s not that we don’t have other social media sites and platforms – we have YouTube, we have BitChute, we have SoundCloud Radio, we have Flipboard, we have Godtube, we have Twitter, and we do indeed have our webpage and our blog page. However, unfortunately, Facebook continues to remain – claiming that they had more than 2.3 billion monthly active users as of December 2018 – the most popular social media site.

Facebook Campaign

I promoted our Flipboard platform on Facebook from Oct. 24th to Oct. 29th to the US, AU, NZ, CA, IL, and ZA. And we reached nearly 600 people with 90 engagements.

This is what the ad looked like before we were “banned.” Apparently, there are a great many who are offended by the glorious and powerful name Jesus Christ!

Halloween

Today, as I write this letter, millions – probably tens of millions – of Americans are going to celebrate what is known as Halloween, or ‘all hallows eve.’ I haven’t done yet a sermon or sermonette on Halloween, but I did write up a short article Is Halloween Biblical!? and here is a link to our free online booklet Is Your Belief Biblical? …and can you prove it?

Homosexual Conversion Therapy

Homosexual conversion therapy has actually been banned in several U.S. states and now, too, the United Kingdom is intending to do the same.

The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) reported the following:

July 3, 2018: "'Gay conversion therapy' to be banned as part of LGBT equality plan-

Controversial "gay conversion therapies" are to be banned as part of a government plan to improve the lives of gay and transgender people. … 

The prime minister said nobody "should ever have to hide who they are."

A 75-point to improve the lives of LGBT people, costing £4.5m, has been produced in response to the survey. It includes plans to introduce a national LGBT health advisor, tackle discrimination, improve the response to hate crime and to improve diversity in education institutions. …

As part of the plan, it said it would "consider all legislative and non-legislative options to prohibit promoting, offering or conducting conversion therapy."

Equalities minister Penny Mordaunt told BBC Radio 4's Today programme of the practice: "This is very extreme so-called therapy that is there to try and 'cure' someone from being gay - of course you can't cure someone from being gay. In its most extreme form it can involve corrective rape.

"That's very different from psychological services and counselling. It's pretty unpleasant, some of the results we found, and it shows that there's more action to do."

She said the government is consulting on the best way to implement a ban, adding: "It's absolutely right that that abhorrent practice has to go." …

Prime Minister Theresa May said: "We can be proud that the UK is a world leader in advancing LGBT rights, but the overwhelming response to our survey has shone a light on the many areas where we can improve the lives of LGBT people.

"I was struck by just how many respondents said they cannot be open about their sexual orientation or avoid holding hands with their partner in public for fear of a negative reaction.

"No one should ever have to hide who they are or who they love."

(Read More: https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-44686374; bold for emphasis).

REALLY!? 'No one should ever have to hide who they are!!? What about pedophiles, what about thieves and rapists, sadists, zoophilists!!? Should they continue, too!!? And, to say that gays cannot change is NOT even logical! What if they want to change!?

It is extremely sad that the majority of people no longer want to believe that GOD'S living written Word - the Holy BIBLE - teaches that homosexuals can change, such as the following:

9) "Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, 10) nor thieves, nor covetous nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the Kingdom of God. 11) And such WERE some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God" - 1 Corinthians 6:9-11; NKJV.

Also, notice this from the BBC:

July 3, 2018: "'Gay conversion therapy' to be banned as part of LGBT equality plan-

Sometimes called "reparative" or "gay cure" therapy, conversion therapy is a term used for any form of so-called treatment which attempts to change sexual orientation or reduce attraction to others of the same sex.

Experts say the word therapy is misleading because there is no scientific basis for it.

All major therapy professional bodies as well as the NHS in the UK disagree with it on logical, ethical and moral grounds."

(Read More: https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-44686374).

MORAL GROUNDS!!?

HOMOSEXUALITY IS IMMORAL!!

It is also highly immoral to tell people that they cannot seek help to change!

GOD'S written WORD EMPHATICALLY STATES that homosexuality, lesbianism, and cross-dressing are WRONG, and GOD also condemns those who condone all forms of sexual immorality:

5) "'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; NKJV.

24)"Therefore God also gave them up to UNCLEANNESS, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, 25) who exchanged the TRUTH OF GOD for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. AMEN.

26) For this reason, God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the NATURAL USE for what is AGAINST NATURE. 27) Likewise, also the men, leaving the NATURAL USE of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing WHAT IS SHAMEFUL, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.

28) And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a DEBASED MIND , to do those things WHICH ARE NOT FITTING; 29) being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil mindedness; they are whisperers [gossipers], 30) backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31) undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; 32) who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that THOSE WHO PRACTICE SUCH THINGS ARE DESERVING OF DEATH, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them" - Romans 1:24-32; NKJV.

But what of the erroneous claim that there is "no scientific basis" for gay conversion therapy!?

Well, let us consider the following from Focus on the Family:

The Right to Counseling for Unwanted Same-Sex Attractions

Can homosexuals change? Is trying to change sexual orientation harmful? Should counselors work with clients with unwanted same-sex attractions, helping them live out their sexuality in a biblical way? There's been a lot of debate in recent years in the mental health professionals, the media and various state legislations about these questions.

In the past, such help and change was widely considered both desirable and possible. More recently, however, an increased number of mental health practitioners now believe that a homosexual orientation is an intrinsic part of a person's identity that cannot - and should not - be changed. The mental health professions haven't really discovered anything new about human sexuality or homosexuality; they are just more ideologically and politically driven. …

The American Psychiatric Association (APA) in 1998 issued a position statement "rebuking" practices that are broadly referred to as "reparative therapy" or "conversion therapy" for homosexuality. More recently, these practices have been labeled "sexual orientation change efforts" (SOCE). …

In 2007, the American Psychological Association set up a task force, composed exclusively of gay-identified activists and apologists, to study the issue. No practitioners of SOCE or experts on change from homosexuality were included in the task force. The group also threw out myriad accounts and reports of change from homosexuality and of help from SOCE, while at the same time using anecdotal statements of harm. Despite this stacked deck, the task force could not conclude in its 2009 report that SOCE was ineffective or inherently harmful. Nor did the group call for a ban on SOCE. They simply said more research was needed and cautioned therapists about their work.

Both groups claim to be scientifically driven, yet the APA states that homosexuality is a "normal variant of human sexuality." And the American Psychological Association says that homosexuality is a "normal and positive variation of human sexual orientation." But these views are really beyond the power of science to decide, entering into the worlds of philosophy, ethics and religion. Science can only tell us what is, not what is moral, good or ethical. Science also can't describe for us God's views about human sexuality.

Significantly, both groups seem to dismiss that fact that many individuals who experience same-sex attractions or engage in homosexual activity are dissatisfied with the situation and seek professional help to align their thoughts and behaviors with their convictions and faith. Many who experience homosexual temptations and impulses are responding to the Gospel message that unwanted same-sex attractions can be overcome. And as they seek pastoral and professional psychological counseling, they find that change and transformation are, indeed, possible. …

* There are no scientific studies that demonstrate that adolescents have been harmed through SOCE.

* The psychological literature confirms that permanent change from a homosexual orientation is possible.

* In 2007, Dr's. Stanton L. Jones and Mark A. Yarhouse published a study confirming that long-term change away from homosexual orientation can occur through religious mediation. At the end of three years, 67% of men and women who had undergone group discussions, individual counseling, journaling, Scripture reading and prayer either reported a change towards heterosexual orientation or were successfully continuing work towards that goal.

* In 2001, Dr. Robert Spitzer published a report showing that a majority of gay men and lesbians who sought "reorientation" therapy were able to achieve fulfilling heterosexual relationships.

* While acknowledging that change in sexual orientation is both difficult to define and to measure, a bibliographic review of the literature from the past 100 years or more notes the wide variety of treatments that have claimed success.

* There is no valid or replicable research demonstrating the inevitability of homosexual behavior based on biological or genetic circumstances. Studies on twins show that homosexuality is not genetic. (See also: https://dailycitizen.focusonthefamily.com/why-we-support-therapy-for-unwanted-homosexuality/).

(Read More: https://www.focusonthefamily.com/socialissues/sexuality/leaving-homosexuality/the-right-to-counseling-for-unwanted-same-sex-attractions).

(Read also:  https://www.focusonthefamily.com/get-help/leaving-homosexuality/).

Brother Paul, in Romans, also WARNED about those that 'suppress the truth in unrighteousness' - Romans 1:18.

Banning counseling for those who wish to STOP sinning is wrong! It is wrong to tell people that they cannot change, and it is wrong to censor peoples' abilities to help those that want help!

GOD'S WORD WARNS that ever-greater censorship is coming:

11) "'Behold, the days are coming,' says the Lord GOD, 'That I will send a famine on the land, not a famine of bread, Nor a thirst for water, But of hearing the Words of the LORD. 12) They shall wander from sea to sea, and from north to east; They shall run to and fro, seeking the Word of the LORD, But shall not find it'" - Amos 8:11-12; NKJV.

Do not believe that the United Kingdom is the only place that will be banning this and discounting what God says.

In Canada, quoting parts of Romans chapter 1 is essentially banned.

Notice this from the state of California:

Assembly Bill 2943 would make it an "unlawful business practice" to engage in a "transaction intended to result or that results in the sale or lease of goods or services to any consumer" that either advertises or engages in "sexual orientation change efforts with an individual." In the bill, the phrase "sexual orientations change efforts" is defined as "any practices that seek to change an individual's sexual orientation. This includes efforts to change behaviors or gender expressions, or to eliminate or reduce sexual or romantic attractions or feelings toward individuals of the same sex."

It would appear that this definition would include the Bible, since the Bible explicitly condemns homosexual behavior and defines marriage as being between one man and one woman. That means that if Assembly Bill 2943 is officially signed into law, it could ban the sale of the Bible in the state of California, which, for obvious reasons, would be an assault on not just the Constitution but on the very fabric of America.

First and foremost, the First Amendment guarantees that each citizen is endowed with the inalienable right to freely practice their religion without interference from the government. This includes not only the reading of the Bible, but also the private sale of the Bible from individuals or companies looking to spread the Christian faith. Banning the Bible, which Assembly Bill 2943 would likely do, is a clear violation of the freedom of religion as outlined in the Constitution.

Second, as a matter of free-market economies, since when does the government have the authority to control which products are sold by businesses and which are not? If California can legally declare that the sale of the Bible is prohibited, does this mean that they can ban any book that doesn't subscribe to the progressive ideology?

(Read More: https://www.naturalnews.com/2018-04-23-new-california-law-would-criminalize-book-stores-for-selling-the-bible.html).

The State of California already has a law against praying that minors should not be homosexuals. How can that be Constitutional in the United States of America!!!?

The Californication State Assembly PASSED "AB-2943 Unlawful business practices: sexual orientation change efforts" on April 19, 2018!!! While it does not, yet, directly ban the sale of the Holy Bible, it's certainly a step in that direction.

Now, the LGBTQ agenda supporters have published statements such as "the truth about religion in America. It reveals an ugly narrow-mindedness."

Indeed, GOD, through Brother Paul, WARNS against despisers in this final-hour - this end-time:

1) "But know this, that IN THE LAST DAYS perilous times will come: 2) For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, PROUD, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3) unloving, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, 4) traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5) having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people TURN AWAY!

6) For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts, 7) always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth" - 2 Timothy 3:1-7; NKJV.

Friends, those of us who hold to the truth of GOD that sexual relationships are ONLY between a man married to a woman are considered to have 'ugly narrow-mindedness' by the supporters of the LGBTQ movement.

The Work of the Lord NEEDS to be done NOW as He said:

4) "'I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work'" - John 9:4; NKJV.

The time to do the work is NOW, while we still can! We are seeing more signs that 'the night is coming when no one can work.'

The State of California has proposed to have journalists, bloggers, and anyone who has influence to register and to get their 'news' approved before being allowed to put it online (See: Doug Casey Warns: "It's Going To Get Very Disagreeable In The U.S. At Some Level Quickly"). This bill, sponsored by California Senator Richard Pan is called the "Internet: social media: false information: strategic plan," or SB1424. If carried on to its limit, this would virtually cover anyone who ever post's anything on the Internet, and perhaps even those whose emails’ get spread around. A great many people in the U.S. government want to restrict what people tell others on the Internet.

A famine on the living Word of GOD is soon coming!

Until then, let us dear friends go through the doors that CHRIST opens to proclaim the glorious KINGDOM OF GOD (2 Corinthians 2:12; 1 Corinthians 16:8-9; Colossians 4:2-4), and help in proclaiming the Gospel Message which indeed is - the Kingdom of God will be established, and Jesus Christ will be your Savior and great High Priest, and the means by which your life is converted – we might call the New Covenant. That new contract with Jesus Christ.

It is LOVE to properly teach what the Holy BIBLE actually teaches, even if some groups call that 'ugly narrow-mindedness.' It is love to tell those with homosexual tendencies that they can change.

Jesus Christ can help them. As Brother Paul taught:

13) "No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it" - 1 Corinthians 10:13; NKJV.

13) "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" - Philippians 4:13; NKJV.

Sadly, too many people do not believe that is true. Jesus can help convert one from a life of sin to a life leading to righteousness.

Friends, we MUST persevere to the end - despite government restrictions and others who do not truly respect God or what His living Word says.

For additional information, Minister Michael C. Garrett teaches on this very subject in the sermon entitled He Will Heal Them.

World News Items (I checked my incoming email this week, here are some things I noticed):

In the United States of America – ‘you see them on the street. You watch them on TV. You think they’re people just like you. You’re wrong. Dead wrong.’ (See: ‘They Live, We Sleep: Beware The Growing Evil In Our Midst’). As the article says, “There’s a new, incredible powerful hidden force in our country that basically guarantees this Socialist woman will become U.S. President in 2020 …” However, that ‘new, incredible powerful hidden force” has always been here – it’s our mortal and spiritual enemy Satan the devil and his imps! Is the blessing from God of U.S. President Donald Trump the calm before the storm!? I, personally, see this great nation like the Simon and Garfunkel song – Slip Slidin’ Away! Friends, let us NEVER forget Robert Welch, Jr. and his infamous warnings!

Also in the U.S. and I shared this on our Twitter Page: A mother is unapologetically raising her daughter as an atheist (See: ‘I Am Unapologetically Raising My Daughter Without Religion’). We are reminded of our Lord God’s living Word – “’ As it was in the days of Sodom and Gomorrah, so shall it be at the return of the Son of Man.’” And I personally believe that on June 26th, 2015 the United States of America – as a whole – turned their back on Almighty God!

Iran continues their deadly threats against JUDAH – the nation called Israel (See: ‘Netanyahu says Iran seeking means to attack Israel from Yemen’). And, as I have said before - Surely, just as Japan felt prior to December 7, 1941, Iran is feeling so much pressure that this may accelerate actions that are prophesied to strike Jerusalem (Isaiah 22:6-9), and a retaliatory strike against an Islamic centered collection of nations (cf. Matthew 24:7; Daniel 11).

In Syria and Iraq: Russell Travers, acting director of the National Counterterrorism Center, told a congressional panel, “Despite a consistent U.S.-led campaign to defeat the Islamic State group in Iraq and Syria that effectively dismantled its so-called caliphate, the number of fighters in those countries aligned with the group has grown in the last five years from a low point of roughly 1,000 fighters. … As many as 14,000 extremists remain there now, with roughly 2,000 in Syria from foreign countries (See: ‘ISIS Remains Potent, Deadly Despite Baghdadi’s Death, Top Spy Says’). As Minister Michael C. Garrett has written – “Isn’t it interesting, right now, every day in your newspapers, or on the television or the news on your computer, we’re seeing terrible things taking place IN the ancient land of Babylon!? Not far away from what we call BAGDAD. That land has just descended into chaos! And the birth of what they call ISIS! The Islamic State in Iraq and Syria! Nothing but bloodshed and horror’s beyond the abilities to describe. Well, way back then, God used the king of Babylon (think in terms of IRAQ) as a weapon of punishment against the tribe of Judah.” (Notes Regarding the Day of Atonement prophetically the Day of the Lord).

Suggested Sabbath Service

Here is this week’s suggested Sabbath service:

● 2-3 hymns. (a free printable “Old Time Gospel” hymn site is The Old Time Gospel).
● Opening prayer.
● Sermonette (if you choose). The one suggested is The Feasts of the LORD (audio).
● Announcements (if any) and one hymn.
● Sermon. The one suggested is The Rest of the Dead 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, friends, be sure to SUBSCRIBE to our podcast sermons so that you won't miss our latest podcast distributed via RSS (Rich Site Summary) format!

Concluding Comments

The Book of Daniel has the following statement:

4) "'But you, Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the Book until the time of the end; many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase'" - Daniel 12:4; NKJV.

When prophet Daniel was told this, they did not have steam engines, petroleum, nuclear, or even electricity.

We do now!

When prophet Daniel was told this, they did not have radios, televisions, computers, cellular telephones, or even the internet.

We do now!

When prophet Daniel was told this, there was no international power known as the United States of America - cf. Daniel 11:39.

There is now!

When prophet Daniel was told this, there was no power in Europe like the European Union, which had unity problems - cf. Daniel 2:41-43.

There is now!

There were also no people known as Christians – followers of Jesus Christ.

There are now!

Friends, we are in the time of the end where we understand more and more of the prophecies that were sealed in the Book of Daniel. Including the soon-coming destruction of the USA (Daniel 11:39), and her Anglo-Saxon descended allies (Daniel 8:24-25), and coming persecution of Christians (Daniel 11:28-35). People, indeed, are turning to and fro, knowledge has been increased, and we do understand more of the Book of Daniel. We are getting closer to the end of this age.

In this age when the love of many waxes cold, endure to the end - Matthew 24:13.

In deep gratitude and love, in Jesus' name,