Saturday, August 12, 2023

Letter to our Friends - August 11, 2023


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 and Founder


Dear Friends and Associates in Christ Jesus:

Greetings from Spring Hill, Florida.

We are continuing to Proclaim and Preach To Jesus Christ’s Spiritual “Lost Sheep” and To His Potential “Sheep”

A great many are focusing on the wrong things to work at, proclaim, and preach. As we’ve mentioned before –
“ … many of the descendants of the [Church of God] continue to practice the misappropriation of Matthew 24:14. They continue to teach it as, “And this Gospel of the Kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a WARNING and a WITNESS unto all nations, …” It does NOT say that! Jesus Christ said – quoting from the Authorized Version – “’ And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.’” The word witness is from the Greek word marturion, meaning testimony. And, testimony is almost always rendered “witness” in the Revised Version (RV). The New American Standard Bible (NASB) renders it, “This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come.”

Jesus Christ just said the TRUTH OF GOD will be preached. But human beings have incorrectly come up with the idea that THEY are going to be the ones doing the preaching! …

… in T R U T H – in the end-time – that TESTIMONY will come from Jesus Christ through His chosen ‘witnesses’ (possibly 12) – the “end-time prophets.” Friends, it is not referring to printing presses, radio stations, or TV, and all of that …

… as I had written in May 2019 - Matthew 28:19-20, though preaching as a witness is included within the scope of the commission – it is actually placing MORE emphasis upon the ENTIRE PROCESS OF CONVERSION, of feeding, of growing, and of overcoming – than merely witnessing. The keyword is “process.”

The word “teaching” in verse 19 is the key to this understanding. The New King James English more accurately translates the word “teaching” to “make disciples.” And, this is not that teaching is wrong as long as you understand that teach means a process. All the teaching required to make disciples doesn’t take place merely in making a witness. There are huge differences between the two.”

(Letter to our Friends – January 21, 2020).
And I’d like to add one of the greatest and most difficult jobs that our Lord Jesus gave us brethren – love our enemies –

“’ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you’” – Matthew 5:44; Luke 6:35-37.

The true spiritual individual can confidently say, as the Apostle Paul said, “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me” – Galatians 2:20. When you can honestly and sincerely say this, then you truly have the mind of our Lord Jesus Christ within you!

A true spiritual individual does not flip-flop on doctrines or spiritual issues – “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of A SOUND MIND” – 2 Timothy 1:7. We are not, brethren, one of those carried away with every false pseudo-spiritual or occultism, in which false manifestations of God’s divine Spirit is being counterfeited by demonstrations of self in nothing more than a fanatical emotionalism. The Apostle Paul writes – through the very Spirit of our great and powerful God – “ … we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting” – Ephesians 4:14. And, as the Apostle Paul said to the Church in Corinth – “ … in understanding be mature [spiritually]” – 1 Corinthians 14:20.

“’ By their FRUITS,’” not by their fanatical emotionalism – such as their supposed ability to babble in an “unknown tongue.” Or their empty profession or confession of faith. And, I’ll address this below. Or, their self-righteousness. It’s by their “ … love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.” These are the things which expresses – in living character – and witnesses to others true spirituality. These things are the expression of God’s love “poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit [which] was given to us” - Romans 5:5. Truly, the Holy Spirit within us is GOD’S LAW in action in our lives! “ …love is the fulfillment of the Law” – Romans 13:10. And this is true spirituality.

“Though I speak with the [languages] of men and of angels, but have not love [agape love; Godly love], I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal” – 1 Corinthians 13:1.

There were pompous and self-righteous people there in ancient Corinth – as there are even today in this world – who spoke with eloquence. And there were those who spoke in various languages which they abused for purposes of mere ostentation.

“And though I have the gift of prophecy [also, inspired speaking], and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing” – 1 Corinthians 13:2.

“And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned [cf. Daniel 3:28], but have not love, it profits me nothing” – 1 Corinthians 13:3.

What is it to have Godly love!? Notice –

“Love suffers long [is patient] …” – under the provocation of evil. “ … and is kind; love does not envy [also the Greek includes jealousy]; love does not parade itself [in words; such as those who use words and languages as mere display], is not puffed up [as with entertainment zeal]; 5) does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked [easily], thinks no evil [basically, imputeth not evil]; 6) does not rejoice in evil, but rejoices in the TRUTH; 7) bears all things [as in – we should endure without divulging to the world our personal distresses], believes all things [as in – unsuspiciously believes all that is not palpably false], hopes all things [what is good of another, even when others have ceased to hope], endures all things [as in – persecutions in Christ Jesus in a patient and loving spirit]” – 1 Corinthians 13:4-7.

Sadly, a great many worldly churches – including many of the churches of God we know – DO NOT properly follow the LORD God’s admonition in taking care of our own before we help others by sending money, bibles, or additional supplies to foreign nations. Now, if indeed the brethren in nations such as Africa are true brethren – in other words they exhibit the living fruits of God’s Spirit and are indeed classified as true begotten children of Father God under His classification (Romans 8:14), then surely that is another matter. But, all too often there are empty confessions of faith that come to us from such nations. We receive dozens of such e-mails monthly. Here is one such e-mail sent to us as an example –
Dear servant of the Most High,I am glad indeed for the first time to
write to you and share what I have learnt from your website and our
interests.
Please receive much greetings in Jesus name. We are a young growing
group into a church.
We have looked through your website and really been blessed.We request
you to come and train pastors and other laymen about GOD'S WORD.
We
would love if it is possible for you to come visiting and minister in
our fellowship and mentor us in ministry. We also request for teaching
materials such as Bibles in our local language that is,(EKEGUSII)and
other teaching materials for the church. We invite you to come as soon
as possible in our fellowship.
God bless you as I pray to hear soon please.
PR.SAMSON BOSIRE OTOTO.
Here was our response:
Dear PR. Samson Bosire Ototo,

Thank you for recently contacting the Church of Jesus Christ Online Ministries. We sincerely appreciate your interest in this great Work of our Lord Jesus Christ.

We thank you for your invitation to come visit there in Kenya East Africa and to minister in your fellowship and mentor the ministry. Unfortunately, we are unable to come visit now, due to financial reasons.

We do not currently have teaching “materials” such as books and booklets. You can find our teaching’s however at https://www.owensborocojc.com/.

Please stay in touch with us dear brethren. You can always contact us at pastorleonard1@yahoo.com, or write to us at the Church of Jesus Christ Online Ministries P.O. Box 6458 Spring Hill, FL. 34606.

Sincerely in Jesus’ name,
As usual, we never heard from him again. Here are seven logical principles for funding foreign missions. I especially like number 5 - Don’t Just Give Money; Give Yourself.

We do, however, work on producing and publishing a growing number of audio articles, online books, and booklets, in foreign languages for the convenience of our brethren and associates scattered abroad. The following are some of what we have so far –

● Audio Articles in Swahili.
● Proving the Truth online booklet in Spanish.
● Is God a TRINITY? online booklet in Swahili.
● What Is “The Unpardonable Sin”? online booklet in Swahili.
● From the Beginning… God’s Master Plan online article in Swahili.
● Is God Listening? online article in Swahili.
● Do you understand Ezekiel 37? online article in Swahili.
● ‘The Firstfruits – Unto God’ online article in Swahili.
● ‘No One Has Ascended To Heaven’ online article in Swahili.
● Repent For Salvation online audio article in Swahili.
● Will God Truly Save His People? online article in Swahili.
● He Who Follows Me Will Not Walk In the Dark online article in Swahili.

This understanding is supported in the Book of Revelation in trying to reach as many people as possible through multiple languages before the glorious and powerful return of our Lord Jesus Christ –

“After these things I looked, and behold, A GREAT MULTITUDE which no one could number, OF ALL NATIONS, TRIBES, PEOPLES, and [LANGUAGES], standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes [which symbolizes righteousness], with palm branches in their hands [which symbolizes victory]. … 13) Then one of the elders answered, saying to me, ‘Who are these arrayed in white robes, and WHERE DID THEY COME FROM?’ 14) And I said to him, ‘Sir, you know.’

So he said to me, ‘These are the ones who [will come after] great tribulation, and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb’” – Revelation 7:9, 13-14.

The Feast of Tabernacles and the Last Great Day

The Feast of Tabernacles and the Last Great Day will begin next month!


Services are to begin the evening of September 29th and continue until sunset ending the Last Great Day which is October 7th in 2023.

Everyone, if you are able, is welcome to attend and observe with us the Feast of Tabernacles and the Last Great Day in Owensboro, Kentucky.

We plan on holding services at the Logsdon Community Center. Its address is 2400 Friendship Dr. Owensboro, Kentucky 42303.

We should already be saving our second tithe so we can afford to go and observe the Feast of Tabernacles joyfully, as the LORD God’s living word declares we should.

Do not put it off – time marches fairly quickly.

According to TripAdvisor – Owensboro has some 161 restaurants and some 18 places to stay.

The closest airport is Owensboro–Daviess County Regional Airport (OWB / KOWB), 5 miles from the center of Owensboro, KY.

If you have yet to let us know you are attending with us, please do not delay. Please send Minister Michael C. Garrett an email letting him know at garrett158@roadrunner.com.

Suggested Sabbath Day Service

Here is our suggested Sabbath day service for our scattered brethren and friends around the world:

• TWO songs of praise. (our songbook, The Bible Hymnal, is suggested, there are some Instrumental Accompaniment to the Bible Hymnal available on our website).
• Opening prayer.
• Announcements – from the deacon or pastor.
• Sermon – from the pastor or guest speaker. The one suggested for this week is in relation to what I spoke about earlier – many people’s empty profession or confession of faith – "Do You Have God's Spirit?"
• Closing song.
• Closing prayer.

Some World News In Relation To Biblical Prophecy

In the United States of America, a great many place their confidence in former President Donald Trump. While others believe that the former president will cause the destruction of the USA! Still, others are loosening the blindfold and seeing for the first time the utter corruption of the Biden Crime Family.

The heavily Satan-influenced Nancy Pelosi, the former speaker of the United States House of Representatives, thinks that if former President Donald Trump is re-elected the USA is doomed! Notice –
Nancy Pelosi Declares America Will Cease To Exist If Trump Becomes President Again

When asked about the possibility of another Trump presidency, Pelosi commanded the reporter “Don’t even think of that.”

“Don’t think of the world being on fire,” she continued, adding “It cannot happen, or we will not be the United States of America.”

“If he were to be president, it would be a criminal enterprise in the White House,” she added, without a hint of irony.

The “irony” is that if the Biden Crime Family, as corrupt as they appear to be, is re-elected, the USA may cease to be a sovereign nation his next term – should he live and stay in office long enough. I personally believe that within the next several months he will step down as president-elect. Even though Mr. Fact Check tells us otherwise. And, could it be that Vice President Kamala Harris moves on to the Supreme Court? She can legally vote herself as a new Supreme Court Justice. This possible change was floated last year when Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer retired. And, calls are getting louder for Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas to resign. Her appointment to the highest court would certainly allow the unofficial presidential runner Gavin Newsom to slip in when or if President Biden steps down – or is deemed too incompetent. Notice this report from The Hill last November –
Here’s a game plan: Biden replaces Harris with Newsom and then resigns

“… Newsom won reelection easily and now has the luxury of turning his ambitious eyes completely toward the White House. The question then becomes, will his party turn its eyes toward him as the person who might save it from the Biden-Harris dilemma it is surely about to face?

If the answer is “yes,” the “solution” is really not complicated at all. In one scenario, Biden could ask Harris to resign and replace her with Newsom, who then becomes the heir apparent for 2024. Or Biden could replace Harris with Newsom and then resign himself, making Newsom the president before 2024 and arming him with the full force of the Oval Office. …

Might the Democrats leapfrog him into the Oval Office before 2024? It would be political malpractice for them not to consider the option.”

It’s certainly a head-scratcher! However, let’s be perfectly clear – without national repentance, the United States of America will come to its destruction! (cf Daniel 11:39; Habakkuk 2:6-8).

Also in the News – there appears to be a new strain of COVID-19 that is concerning many (See: Zawya – ‘New Covid-19 variant detected: What we know so far about EG.5.1’).
August 9, 2023

A new Covid-19 variant, EG.5.1, has been linked to an uptick in hospitalizations in the US and UK. The World Health Organization (WHO) has added the Omicron subvariant, nicknamed Eris, to its monitoring list …
Of course, we can trust WHO about as far as we can throw them! But, that being said, we know that our Lord Jesus Christ prophesied of grave pestilences in this end-time –

“’ … And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places’” – Matthew 24:7.

Instead of promoting people improving their diet and health, this Biden government and his pharmaceutical cronies are working on MORE VACCINES! And, more than likely will push for a vaccine for this latest variant. Question: Why was there an illegal Chinese-owned bio lab in California!? It still remains an under-discussed issue when it should be treated as a national emergency! As we get closer to the return of our Lord Jesus, there will be even more deadlier pestilences! (cf. Revelation 6:7-8).

Concluding Comments

The Prophet Jeremiah wrote the following:

“Therefore thus says the LORD God of Israel against the shepherds who feed My people: ‘You have scattered My flock, driven them away, and not attended to them. Behold, I will attend to you for the evil of your doings, ‘ says the LORD. … 10) For the land is full of adulterers” – Jeremiah 23:2, 10.

Minister Garrett wrote:
“God says He will repay them the way they deserve to be repaid. Now, people can say, “To whom is He speaking!?” Is He talking about the physical people of Israel, who have been misled by their false religions!? It’s possible. I think that is part of the implication. But I think it is also referring to the Churches of God – the Body of Christ – and there are in these different organizations pastors who seem more concerned about their own needs, their own sense of power, their own sense of control, than worrying about the spiritual health of people who are a part of their organization. And I do believe every human being who thinks he is a leader in the Body of Christ – you need to read these words very soberly because if you’re not careful you might be on the receiving end. … “For the land is full of adulterers; …” – Now, I’ve tried pointing out before that the word “adultery,” it might, in part, refer to the physical sin of adultery. Sex outside of marriage. Breaking those bonds of loyalty. But, most of the time, not all of the time, when you see words in the Bible such as fornication, adultery, whoring, those types of words, if you read the whole passage, it is God’s pronouncement against people who are engaged in false religion. You see, at one time God married Israel. And when Israel, the people of Israel, leave God and go – in His own terminology – a whoring after other gods and other religions, God looks upon that as the highest form of adultery. Of the betrayal of wedding vows.”

Now, you might very well say to yourself, we don’t have to worry about “adultery” or any false religion. Yet, friends, we are in a world that often promotes evil as good and good as evil. Their “false gods” (as Mr. Garrett teaches in the sermon series “Toxic Philosophy”) are distorted worldly philosophy and public opinion which continues to rapidly sway further away from Almighty God and Jesus Christ.

In deep gratitude and love, in Jesus' name,

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