Saturday, November 19, 2022

Letter to our Friends - November 18, 2022

CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST ONLINE MINISTRIES
We are based upon the Word of God, the Truth of God, and the Plan of God

P.O. Box 6458
Spring Hill, Florida 34606



Leonard V Johnson
Pastor/Overseer


Greetings friends from Central West Florida:

I’ve been a bit under the weather for the past five days. I caught the flu. Been having plenty of rest and fluids. Should be back on my feet soon. Hopefully, in time for Thanksgiving.

Feast in Kenya

Brother Erick Odhiambo sent the following report about the 2022 Feast of Tabernacles in Kenya.
Dear Brother Leonard,

Am sorry it has taken me so long to get back to you. But I have not been well since we came back from the Feast of Tabernacles.


I would wish to inform you that a wonderful Feast of Tabernacles was opened on 7th October 2022 evening. This was the most enjoyable feast in Ndhiwa Center, Kenya. The happiest week of all the weeks. Some brethren were also with us at the feast though they have not been with us. I was very happy with the Feast of Tabernacles of 2022 because God’s church obeyed the commandment and reached at the feast site at the appointed time. Our brethren from Bumala,Narok, Mombasa and Muhuru Bay that were attended and keep the Feast of Tabernacles in Ndhiwa reached the same day. The opening hours found everybody inside the tents. Day one was a wonderful day and brethren enjoyed chicken, juices and snacks. The faces were smiling and the temperature was good. The sermonette was done by me.

On Wednesday we had free walking in the afternoon where brethren visited different places to see God’s creations. Some went to Ruma national park where we they saw different kinds of animals, like buffalo, Rhinos, Antelope, Giraffes etc. Ndhiwa feast site is surrounded by so wonderful sites. We have Lake Victoria, the fresh water lake.

There was also a luncheon for brethren above 60 years of age and I was able to organize a special day where they were left alone to study and have special meals so that they would then teach the young people how to live and only follow Jesus in this deceived world. Proverbs 1:8-9 “My Son hear the instruction of your Father and do not forsake the law of you mother for they will be graceful ornament on your head and chains about your neck.” Proverbs 3:1 “My son, do not forget my Law but let your heart keep my commandments for length of days and long life and peace they will add to you”.

We did baptized some, George, his wife, Fredrick, Oyomno his brother and his wife They are now really supporting full affiliation with Church of Jesus Christ Online Ministries. They 
were really happy about the baptism.

Most of our sermons and sermonette were based on:
  • Feast Focus
  • The Feast of Tabernacles and Ingathering
  • Teachers in the Millennium
  • Eliminating stress in the Millennium
  • Seven Laws of Success in the Millennium
  • Judges in the Millennium
  • Meaning of the Last Great Day- Contracts
  • Rejoice
  • Basic Essentials
  • Keeping Focused
  • A Pure Language
  • The End of All Tears
  • Offertory- Giving with Joy
  • Approaching the End of the Age
May you continue to do and spread His word to His people.

Your in His service,
Erick Odhiambo.
We are so pleased that all went well. And we are pleased that people are answering God’s call.

Our Lord Jesus Christ says, “’ I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance. … 10) Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents’” – Luke 15:7, 10.

Indeed, there should be much rejoicing!

Adulterous Generation

As I spoke about in my latest Personal, in the search bar on our website our friends are wanting to know just what our Lord Jesus Christ meant when He stated, “’ A wicked and adulterous generation.’”

Here’s an excerpt from Minister Michael C. Garrett’s book “Notes Regarding The Day of Atonement – Prophetically the Day of the Lord!” –
“Jeremiah 25 … Verses 4-6 - Now, one of the Ten Commandments states, ‘Thou shalt not commit adultery.’ And, all of the Ten Commandments have a sort of, physical nature to them. However, they have a much more powerful spiritual meaning! And so when you come to the word adultery – and we all know what adultery is. And, Paul went on to describe all forms of sexual misconduct could, sort of, fall under that general plank of ‘Thou shalt not commit adultery.’ But he’s not just talking about physical adultery – the betrayal of a man or a wife to their mate. It has a much more expansive meaning. In the mind of God, He married ancient ISRAEL. They became His bride. A beautiful picture of this is in Ezekiel 16, and His thoughts about it. However, Israel has NEVER been true to God. They’ve NEVER been faithful, and one of the sins which they commit with great regularity – and most people of this land don’t even know about it.

Is murder the worst sin!? No, King David committed murder, and it was WRONG, and he was punished sorely, however, murder is not the worse sin you could do. Is stealing!? Is lying!? Some people would say, “Well, cheating on your mate!” Well, if that is true, then many of the households in America have a horrible black cloud over it! Because quite frankly, many Americans have not been faithful to their marriage vows. What’s the worst mistake you could make!? Is committing spiritual adultery! Separating yourself from God Almighty and Jesus Christ by GOING AFTER FALSE RELIGION.”

(Garrett, M.C. Notes Regarding The Day of Atonement – Prophetically the Day of the Lord! 2019, pp. 17; capitalization and boldness added for emphasis).
Our Lord Jesus WARNS us, brethren –

“’ Nevertheless I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols. … Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery [spiritual adultery] with her into great tribulation [that’s the end-time ‘great tribulation’], UNLESS THEY REPENT OF THEIR DEEDS. I will kill her children with death, …’”

He is referring to allowing someone to teach you things NOT according to the living word of God – and you begin taking them up as a doctrine.

The Apostle Paul speaks of this in the Book of Galatians –

“Now the works of the flesh are evident, …” – and here’s a list by Paul a third time. “ … which are: adultery [including, of course, spiritual adultery – going after false gods], fornication, [the Greek word porneia, meaning sexual immorality, prostitution, a generic term for sexual sin of any kind – Strong’s Concordance #4202] uncleanness, lewdness, 20) idolatry, sorcery [witchcraft], hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath …” – indeed, I would say what is happening in America today with civil unrest, the violent protesting would be considered ‘outbursts of wrath’ – wouldn’t you!? “ … selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21) envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God” – Galatians 5:19-21.

We teach this meaning all throughout our sermons and articles, such as –
Thanksgiving Day

Thanksgiving Day is not of pagan origin. Here is an article by David J. Silverman in the Encyclopædia Britannica:
“Americans generally believe that their Thanksgiving is modeled on a 1621 harvest feast shared by the English colonists (Pilgrims) of Plymouth and the Wampanoag people. … The New England colonists were accustomed to regularly celebrating “Thanksgivings,” days of prayer thanking God for blessings such as military victory or the end of a drought. … Sarah Josepha Hale, campaigned for a national Thanksgiving Day to promote unity. She finally won the support of President Abraham Lincoln. On October 3, 1863, during the Civil War, Lincoln proclaimed a national day of thanksgiving to be celebrated on Thursday, November 26. The holiday was annually proclaimed by every president thereafter, and the date is chosen, with few exceptions, was the last Thursday in November.”

As Americans living in the United States, we learned early that our Thanksgiving Day comes from the group of people known as Pilgrims. As true Christians, we are not required nor commanded to keep this national holiday. However, Jesus Christ Himself appeared to have kept a national Jewish holiday known as the Feast of Dedication – John 10:22-23.

Let us, friends, always give praise and thanks to Almighty God and our Lord Jesus Christ for blessing us with the understanding of Their Plan of salvation. We should be thankful for being a part of those chosen in this age.

“Sing praise to the LORD, you saints of His, And give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name” – Psalm 30:4.

“Rejoice always, 17) pray without ceasing, 18) in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” – 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18.

Giving thanks to GOD for blessing us physically and spiritually, and having the opportunity to grow in Their grace and knowledge – the purpose of life itself and of God’s Way of life, of the glorious sacrifice of Jesus Christ, and for the opportunity for immortality and of eternal life which They have given to us is certainly very appropriate. Let us, friends, always be thankful for the understanding of GOD’s great Plan of redemption for mankind and the coming establishment of the Kingdom of God upon this earth for peace, abundance, and prosperity.

Friends, despite the very fact that God the Father and Jesus Christ will come along with the myriads of his holy ones (the holy saints of God), “to execute judgment on all, to convict all who are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have committed in an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him” (Jude 14. See also 1 Enoch 1:9), They do have a Plan to bring peace and prosperity to this planet! (See: Notes Concerning the Day of Atonement – Prophetically the Day of the Lord!) and will offer salvation to all (See our sermon Salvation OFFERED To All).

Now, if one has a problem of conscience in celebrating Thanksgiving Day – then don’t. But, always give thanks and praise to Almighty God and our Lord Jesus Christ!

Suggested Sabbath Day Service

Here is this week's suggested Sabbath service:

● 2 hymns. (we have an online The Bible Hymnal, along with many hymns with a Choral Accompaniment on our website www.owensborocojc.com).
● An opening prayer.
● Suggested sermon: “Miracles and Prayer” delivered by Minister Leonard Johnson.
Additional sermons are available at:
● Final hymn.
● A closing prayer.

IN CASE YOU HAVE NOT RECEIVED A ‘LETTER TO OUR FRIENDS’ FOR ANY WEEK, REMEMBER WE HAVE OUR CHURCH LETTERS ON OUR WEBSITE.

World News In Relation To Biblical Prophecy – reading our news teletype.

This last Tuesday, the Mormons – the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints – officially endorsed the improperly titled “Respect for Marriage Act.” The United States of Sins' Senate passed this bill. The Alliance Defending Freedom has correctly concluded this bill will hurt religious freedom along with churches who attempt to hold to biblical morals regarding sexuality and marriage (See: ‘East Bay Times - Mormon Church voices support for same-sex marriage law’ along with ’14 News - Mormon church supports legislation for gay marriage’).

On Wednesday, the United States of Sins' Senate approved the bill:
November 16, 2022

The Chuck Schumer-run U.S. Senate on Wednesday turned “hostile” to Americans’ Christian beliefs, and even 12 Republicans joined with the leftists in the Democrat Party to advance a bill that undermines the First Amendment. …

“Right now, government officials across the country—including the Biden administration—argue in court that individuals and religious organizations who love and work with people from all walks of life should face civil and criminal penalties if they don’t abandon their beliefs on this issue. It is shameful that 62 senators chose to ignore the Constitution and sanction discrimination toward these Americans. Make no mistake, this bill will be used by officials and activists to punish and ruin those who do not share the government’s view on marriage.” …

The scheme destroys the Clinton-era Defense of Marriage Act and provides special protections for same-sex ideologies.

U.S. President Joe Biden has pushed for this bill and is expected to sign it into law.

Thereby the United States of Sin will then have a law that sinful behavior is LEGAL! What about us, brethren, who consider that same-sex “marriage” is an abomination in the eyes of Almighty God!? Well, as many are pointing out, there is coming down the line, egregious troubles for the true saints of God because of this bill.

Friends, although this Roman Catholic Joe Biden and the people of his ilk, like the Mormon Mitt Romney are endorsing this sin, homosexuality and lesbianism are plainly condemned by the LORD God! Not only in the Old Testament but also in the New Testament. Notice the following from… the very Book which U.S. President Joe Biden is supposedly reading from, the Roman Catholic translation of the Holy Bible:

“Therefore God has given them up in the lustful desires of their heart to UNCLEANNESS, so that they dishonor their own bodies among themselves —25) they who exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshipped and served the creature rather than the Creator who is blessed forever, amen.

26) For this cause God has given them up to SHAMEFUL LUSTS; for their women have exchanged the NATURAL USE for that which is against nature, 27) and in like manner the men also, having abandoned the NATURAL USE of the women, having burned in their lusts one towards another, men with men DOING SHAMEFUL THINGS and receiving in themselves the fitting recompense of their perversity” – Romans 1:24-27, Challoner-Rheims Version.

The Apostle Paul warns us in 1st Corinthians –

“Or do you not know that the unjust will not possess the kingdom of God? Do not err; neither FORNICATORS, nor IDOLATERS, nor ADULTERERS, 10) nor the EFFEMINATE [the likes of transsexuals and transgenders], nor SODOMITES [speaking of homosexuals], nor DRUNKARDS, nor the EVIL-TONGUED, nor the GREEDY will possess the kingdom of God” – 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, again the Challoner-Rheims Version.

Even in the Roman Catholic Version of God’s living word, I don’t know how much clearer the Apostle Paul could have been!? Note that he mentions Sodomites are homosexuals.

Also, notice that our Lord Jesus Christ – the very One that made all things (John 1:3) teaches us that marriage is between a man and a woman. Let us continue with the Roman Catholic Version –

“’ But FROM THE BEGINNING OF CREATION God made them male and female. 7) ‘For this cause A MAN shall leave his father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife, 8) and the two shall become ONE FLESH.’ [He was reiterating what He had said in Genesis 2:24] Therefore now they are no longer two, but one flesh. 9) What therefore God has joined together, let no man put asunder’” – Mark 10:6-9.

The Apostle John – under the divine inspiration of God’s Spirit – writes in the Book of Revelation condemnation of those who practice (or even approve) of homosexuality and lesbianism –

“Outside are the dogs, and the sorcerers, and the FORNICATORS, and the MURDERERS, and the IDOLATERS, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood” – Apocalypse 22:15.

In the Jamieson Fausset and Brown Commentary, the word “dogs” – Greek, “the dogs”; the impure, filthy (vs. 11; cf. Phil. 3:2). 1 Let us also note that in Hebrew, the word is keleb, as in Deuteronomy 23:18 means “by extension of a person of low status, an immoral person: a male prostitute.

Again, the Apostle Paul –

“I wrote to you in the letter not to associate with the immoral [cf, 2 Thess. 3:14] —10) not meaning, of course, the immoral of this world, or the covetous, or the greedy, or idolaters; otherwise you would have to leave the world. 11) But now I write to you not to associate with one who is called a brother [one claiming to be a member of the living Church of God], if he is immoral, or covetous, or an idolater, or evil-tongued, or a drunkard, or greedy; with such a one not even take food” – 1 Corinthians 5:9-11.

Here is the Hebrew/Greek Key Word Study Bible (NASB) of the same Scripture –

“I wrote you in my letter 1992 not to pipassociate with immoral people; 4205 10) I did not at all mean with the immoral people of this world, or with the covetous and swindlers, or with aidolaters; 1496 for then you would have to ainfgo out of the world. 2889 11) But Iactually, I wrote to you not to associate IIwith any pppso-called abrother 80 if he should be an immoral person 4205 or covetous, or b an idolater, or a reviler, 3060 or a drunkard, or a swindler —mot to even eat with such a one” – 1 Corinthians 5:9-11, NASB.

Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ would not have endorsed His followers fellowshipping with those claiming to be His followers, yet were practicing (or approving in) immorality – as defined by the LORD God! Lasciviousness – aselgeia, debauchery, sensuality, lewdness, filthy.

In the Old Testament, God’s living word teaches us –

“You shall not lie with a male as with a woman; such a thing IS AN ABOMINATION” – Leviticus 18:22.

“If a man lies with a male as with a woman, both of them shall be put to death for their abominable deed; they have forfeited their lives” – Leviticus 20:13.

The LORD God – the very God family that said, “’ Let Us make mankind in Our image and likeness; … In the image of God [Elohim] He created them. MALE and FEMALE He created them” – Genesis 1:26, 27 – prohibits and condemns homosexual or lesbian behavior – He calls it an abomination!

God’s living word – the Holy Bible – also teaches us that homosexuality and lesbianism are DANGEROUS! With the sexual act playing such a prominent part [i.e., of the Laws of Moses] it is to be expected, therefore, that the practice of such idolatry would be followed by retribution in the form of venereal disease. 2 Homosexuality and lesbianism are a symbol of extreme rebellion against the LORD God and harbinger of His wrath. Indeed, like this ‘Respect for Marriage Act’ bill – which is expected to be signed by the president into law - parts of our life today prohibit “buying or selling” without first accepting the normalcy of homosexuality as a precondition — eerily foreshadowing the consequence of resisting the “beast” and its “mouthpiece” in Revelation 13:17.

“Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap” – Galatians 6:7.

Truly, the rainbow in the sky is intimately associated with the God family and Their awesome power!

“And He who sat there was like a jasper and a sardius stone in appearance; and there was a rainbow around the throne, in appearance like an emerald” – Revelation 4:3.

Friends, it is no mere coincidence that this modern-day LGBTQ+ movement, so hostile to God’s living word, has hijacked the symbol of the rainbow itself. It is a hallmark of an Antichrist spirit to claim God’s very throne itself – cf. 2 Thessalonians 2:4.

Why even speak of this!? Because the LORD God has a grave WARNING for ‘this generation’ –

“ … 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.

“as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities around them in a similar manner to these, HAVING GIVEN THEMSELVES OVER TO SEXUAL IMMORALITY and GONE AFTER STRANGE FLESH [not only homosexuality and lesbianism but also beastiality], are set forth AS AN EXAMPLE, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire” – Jude 1:7.

In conclusion here, my friends take special note that the Apostle Peter warns us of the rise in what is being called “Queer Theology” in these latter days –

“But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves. 2) Many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the Way of the truth will be maligned; [take note of this news story officially endorsed the improperly titled “Respect for Marriage Act”]. … 4) For if God did not spare … 5) … the ancient world, but preserved Noah, a preacher of righteousness with seven others, when He brought a flood upon the world of the ungodly; 6) and if He condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah to destruction by reducing them to ashes, having made them an example to those who would live ungodly thereafter; 7) and if He rescued righteous Lot, oppressed by the sensual conduct of unprincipled men … 9) then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from temptation, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment for the day of judgment, 10) and especially those who indulge the flesh in its corrupt desires and despise authority. …

12) But these, like unreasoning animals, born as creatures of instinct … 13) … They count it a pleasure to revel in the daytime. … reveling in their deceptions as they carouse with you. 14) having eyes full of adultery and that never cease from sin, enticing unstable souls, … 15) forsaking the right Way they have gone astray, having followed the way of Balaam  … 18) … speaking out arrogant words of vanity they entice by fleshly desires, sensuality, … 19) promising them freedom while they themselves are slaves of corruption; …” – 2 Peter 2:1-2, 4, 5-7, 9-10, 12, 13-14, 15, 18, 19, NASB.

Concluding Comments

Prophet Micah was inspired by God to write:

“Woe to those who plan iniquity, to those who plot evil on their beds! At mornings light they carry it out because it is in their power to do it. They cover fields and seize them, and houses, and take them. They defraud a man of his home, a fellowman of his inheritance.

Therefore, the LORD says, 'I AM planning disaster against this people, from which you cannot save yourselves. You will no longer walk proudly, for it will be a time of calamity. In that day men will ridicule you; they will taunt you with this mournful song: 'We are utterly ruined; my people's possession is divided up. He takes it from me! He assigns our fields to traitors’” —Micah 2:1-4; NIV.

Friends, often it looks as if Satan the devil’s liars and his workers of iniquity are ‘getting away’ with their behavior. But that will soon change. And, so will the pride of the nations. Do not believe that all will continue as it is – for God’s Word is true and sure!

As always Friends, you can contact us here at pastorleonard1@yahoo.com, or write us a letter to the Church of Jesus Christ Online Ministries P.O. Box 6458 Spring Hill, Florida, 34606.

With love and gratitude, in Jesus' Name,




1) Jamieson, R., Fausset, A.R., Brown, D., Jamieson Fausset and Brown Commentary of the Whole Bible, Zondervan Publishing House, 1982, pp. 1591.
2) Willcox, R.R., Venereal Disease In the Bible, March 1, 1949, pdf format - https://sti.bmj.com/content/sextrans/25/1/28.full.pdf.

Posted by at
Labels:

No comments:

Post a Comment

Be sure to leave a comment and tell us what you think.

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)