Letter to our Friends - January 28, 2020

Michael C. Garrett

Pastor and Overseer

Greetings dear Friends from West Central Florida:

We hope that you are all well. I’m getting this letter out a little later this week because I had an important appointment Tuesday which took all day.

Statcounter Report 2019 for https://www.owensborocojc.com

This week seems to be a good time to go over with you the summary stat report for our blog page for the year 2019.

Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ said, “’ For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also’” – Matthew 6:21.

The Owensboro Church of Jesus Christ follows the admonition of Jesus when He said, “’ But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.’” (Matthew 10:6), and of course to the potential sheep of Christ. Our mission is to teach the Word of God, the Truth of God, and the ultimate Plan of God to the ‘lost sheep of Israel’ and to testify of Jesus Christ, of His forgiveness, of His atoning sacrifice, of the opportunity for all of us to have Jesus Christ as our great High Priest and to live under the promises of the New Covenant, and to someday be a part of the glorious Kingdom of God!

The average yearly page views for 2019 ended up at 4.2k.
The average yearly unique visits ended up at 1.6k.
The average yearly first time visits ended up at 1.4k.
The average yearly returning visits ended up at 185.0.

Yes, most of our viewing friends are in the United States, yet, within the last 9 months, we have reached 5.8% in Cambodia, 3.3% in Brazil, 2.4% in Ireland, and 1.2% in Cameroon!

Friends, the New Covenant was indeed prophesied! The apostle Paul teaches under a great inspiration of God’s Spirit, “But NOW He [Jesus Christ] has obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as He is also Mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises. … 13) In that He says, ‘A New Covenant,’ He has made the first obsolete. …” – Hebrews 8:6, 13; NKJV.

Now, most Protestant churches teach that the fault with the Old Covenant was God’s Law and that as the Old Covenant was made with Israel the New Covenant is made with Gentiles. And, that the Old Covenant had law, the New abolishes God’s Ten Commandments and is based wholly on promises. We, friends, need to know how to meet head-on this erroneous teaching.

The New Covenant is made also with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah (Hebrews 8:8). A Spirit-begotten Gentile (in such places as Cambodia, Brazil, and Cameroon) can indeed become one of Israel spiritually (cf. Galatians 3:14, 29) – of the very household of the ETERNAL (Ephesians 2:19).

Let us hear the Words of the Lord our GOD:

“ … ‘The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest’” – Luke 10:2.

Let us pray friends for even more views in 2020, with an ever-greater number of laborers for His harvest!

Thank you for your friendship and support.

Feast of Tabernacles

In 2020 the Feast of Tabernacles’ services is to begin the evening of October 2nd and continue until the Last Great Day which is October 10th.

We will be meeting this year at the Logsdon Community Center 2400 Friendship Dr. Owensboro, Kentucky, USA, 42303. If you are not a regular attendee in Owensboro and wish to come, please contact Michael C. Garrett for particulars. His email address is garrett158@roadrunner.com. Now is the time to plan for it, no matter where you live.

Here is something in regards to a festival tithe - God states in Deuteronomy 14:22-27:

“’ You shall truly tithe all the increase of your grain that the field produces year by year. 23) And you shall eat before the LORD your God, in the place where He chooses to make His name abide, the tithe of your grain and your new wine and your oil, of the firstborn of your herds and your flocks, that you may learn to fear the LORD your God always. 24) But if the journey is too long for you, so that you are not able to carry the tithe, or if the place where the LORD your God chooses to put His name is too far from you, when the LORD your God has blessed you, 25) then you shall exchange it for money, take the money in your hand, and go to the place which the LORD your God chooses. 26) And you shall spend that money for whatever your heart desires: for oxen or sheep, for wine or similar drink, for whatever your heart desires; you shall eat there before the LORD your God, and you shall rejoice, you and your household. 27) You shall not forsake the Levite who is within your gates, for he has no part nor inheritance with you.’” – Deuteronomy 14:22-27; NKJV.

Friends, indeed, tithing is an Old Covenant concept. After the death and resurrection, the New Testament nowhere commands us or even admonishes us as Christians to submit to a legalistic tithe system. The New Testament – under the New Covenant – nowhere designates that we are now to save a percentage of income for feast finances.

The Apostle Paul wrote:

“Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. 2) Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, …” – 1 Corinthians 16:1-2; KJV.

Jesus Christ – under the New Covenant – speaks about the importance and the benefits of giving. We are to give (as well as save for God’s feasts) as we are able. Sometimes that means 10 percent; sometimes that may mean less. It depends on the ability of the individual and the needs of the Body of Christ – the Church. Tithing, as well as saving for God’s feasts (it is a wise concept) is a private matter between the individual and Almighty God and Jesus Christ because it is an act of worship. It’s not the “job” of the Church to “enforce” or “police” this Old Covenant law. Each individual has the responsibility to “honor the LORD with [his/her] possessions, And with the firstfruits of all [their] increase.” Tithing, as well as free will offerings, are the method by which the Gospel is proclaimed to the world – Malachi 3:8-10; Matthew 6:21; 23:23.

“So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or OF NECESSITY; for God loves a cheerful giver.” – 2 Corinthians 9:7; NKJV.

World News Items; let me check my teletype

Breaking Israeli News reported January 22nd – that there have been so many fires and disasters in Australia, that it sounds a bit like the ten plagues of Egypt (See: ‘Australia Slammed With Hail, Pestilence, Darkness Plagues in one Week’). Indeed, friends, biblical prophecy does point to events that will be reminiscent of those plagues. The following is taken from my ‘Accumulation of Notes’ on my personal Facebook:

Now, many from the old Worldwide Church of God might be confused when I use that term ‘plagues.’ They used that term, but they misapplied it.

These FOUR TRUMPET BLASTS are the harbinger of different stages of plagues being placed upon the earth.

The Two Witnesses – “These have power to shut heaven [the atmosphere], so that no rain falls in the days of their prophecy [their teaching]; and they have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to strike the earth with all plagues, as often as they desire” – Revelation 11:6; NKJV.

And, just like Moses and Aaron were informed by God what to say – they pronounced these plagues back in their day, and it came cascading down upon the people of Egypt. Well, these Two Witnesses will have this same power. But it won’t be localized to Egypt. These will be situations affecting the entire earth. And, I do believe there’s a good chance – and I can’t prove it, I’m just saying there’s a supposition – that the FOUR TRUMPET BLASTS (plagues) we read about might very well be officially announced by the Two Witnesses.

Friends, the terrible things which are occurring in Australia right now – are not that.

Minister Michael C. Garrett wrote concerning the end-time prophets:

“Now, I can’t say one way or the other – but let’s just say there are twelve. Six groups of two – apparently working in tandem. Because that’s what Jesus did earlier in the “gospel” accounts. He sent them out two by two. And five of these groups will be martyred. Ten people – probably. Two will be left alive until the very end – and they will be called the Two Witnesses. They will end up in Jerusalem – directly opposing the great false leader of Europe and the great false religious leader of Europe. Just like Moses and Aaron did as they went into the court of a pharaoh. And they will curse the world with different plagues. And eventually, these two people will be martyred. But three-and-a-half days later they will rise again.”

(Day of Atonement = End-Time Trauma).

But speaking of plagues, there are grave concerns in regards to the Wuhan Coronavirus. It has become a terrible problem as multiple millions of Chinese traveled for the Year of the Rat – the Chinese New Year which began January 25th (See: ‘Death Toll Rises to 6 in China from Outbreak of New Coronavirus’ and also ‘China virus sends shiver through markets as risks mount’). Here is the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) current situation of the Coronavirus: ‘Novel Coronavirus in China’. Also, here is a ‘Live Update’ from The New York Times – ‘Coronavirus Live Updates: Emergency Declaration Is Considered as Toll Rises’. Even the US has been affected by this terrible virus (See: ‘2nd US coronavirus patient confirmed as 1st cases reported in Europe’). I also saw in this morning’s news reports, ‘India reports its first case of coronavirus’). Friends, as terrible as all this truly is – it should come to no surprise to us! Jesus Christ WARNED of pestilences as part of ‘the beginning of sorrows’ – Matthew 24:8.

In Switzerland, the World Economic Forum (WEF) conference is being held (See: ‘’A new world disorder’: Global leaders head to Davos 2020 in search of stability’). Here a few more articles regarding this conference: ‘Davos bolsters security as protesters march toward venue’ and ‘Davos braces for Trump-Greta showdown as climate change tops agenda’). Also, I had shared on our Twitter which is in relation, ‘Calls for a US 'digital dollar' rise as China powers ahead with a digital yuan’).

Now, this all brings to mind something Minister Michael C. Garrett wrote in our free online (PDF) booklet “The Mark of the Beast”:

a prophesied “one-world government”?

… That is a part of that Left Behind - Far-Right evangelical conservative garbage! … The Bible describes a “one-world government”!? No. Now, every time I’ve seen one of these books or one of these movies I’ve always been astounded by this concept that they put forth of “one-world religion,” and “one-world government”! And that seems to bring great joy to people of that ilk to talk about it. And if it were true it would be something to be upset about, but THE BIBLE DOES NOT describe that! …

Now, this idea of … “What happens when cash is removed from society and some political power regulates digital currency?” is a MISINTERPRETATION of the concept – which in the Book of Revelation is called “the mark of the beast.”

Now, many wonders just what this ‘mark’ is in association with the final ‘beast.’ Could it have to do with a time of worship or with work!? Is there an image to this ‘mark’? What does the Word of God truly teach!? Be sure to read our free online (PDF) booklet “The Mark of the Beast” to learn this amazing TRUTH OF GOD!

Indeed, the military and economic dominance of the United States of America will come to an end. The BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa), as well as certain other Asian nations, are working feverishly to bypass the US dollar in trade (See: ‘Russia takes over the reins to chair BRICS in 2020’ along with ‘Is BRICS Dodging US Dollar?’). While it will still take some time to eliminate the US dollar dominance in world trade, it will indeed happen. And, steps to make that happen are going on right now.

Suggested Sabbath Service

Here is a suggested Sabbath service for this week:

● 2-3 hymns. (a free printable “Old Time Gospel” hymn site is The Old Time Gospel). I have spoken with brother Roger and he has assured me that he is still working on our collection of hymns. When they are completed, we’ll have a Bible Hymnal in (PDF) here.
● Opening prayer.
● Sermonette (if you choose). The one suggested is “Repent For Salvation” by Michael C. Garrett.
● Announcements (if any) and one hymn.
● Sermon. The one suggested for this week is “Dimash in NYC – A Daily Dose of Dimash” by Michael C. Garrett. (More sermons 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

The prophet Isaiah was inspired by God’s Spirit to write:

20) “’ Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!

21) Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, And prudent in their own sight!’” - Isaiah 5:21-22; NKJV.

Here is something Minister Michael C. Garrett wrote concerning this passage:

“In this country, we have physical leaders, often they hang out in Washington, DC, that are ‘wise in their own eyes,’ and yet, also, within the churches of God, there are leaders who are only impressed by what THEY have to say. And they want all the people to follow them and them only. And they take the attention of God and try and put it on themselves. And there are people within the churches of God who actually ‘call evil good.’ There are people in the churches of God that are teaching things which are irrelevant or unnecessary or very unfruitful or low nutrition – a very un-nutritional spiritual diet. And yet they call that ‘good.’ And then some of them –like Mark, down in Texas, who completely ignored me. Well, ‘Woe unto them,’ thus says God. … A sermon “Look To Jesus, Not Moses”, which is based upon the Words of the Bible, inspired by Jesus Christ, is called ‘evil,’ and ‘terrible,’ and ‘shouldn’t be listened to,’ and ‘we’re never going to send it out, we’re going to censor it.’ When you do that, you have “despised the Word of the Holy One of Israel.” … Because people have cast-away the Word of the Holy One of Israel and have no respect for it.”

(Notes Concerning the Feast of Tabernacles and the Last Great Day).

With love and gratitude, in Jesus' Name,