Letter to our Friends - September 23, 2024

Dear Brethren, Friends, and Co-Workers in Christ:

Greetings to everyone from Spring Hill, Florida, USA.

As I sit here typing on this beautiful and warm Monday morning, I have a terrible cold. I most humbly ask for your prayers──that it doesn’t get any worse, but that it gets better with rest and time, and maybe a little NyQuil®!

Are You Converted?

There are a couple of factors involved BEFORE a person can be converted – can be changed.

Here is the answer from God’s living immutable word from an online article April 6, 2024, by Leonard V. Johnson:

Just What Is “Conversion”?

Conversion simply means a “change.” It means to turn from our sinful life. It means to turn to the LORD God’s Way. It means to completely “come out” from among this world’s ways, and to yield in unconditional surrender and obedience to the Creator of all things!

Conversion is not possible through human effort alone. It can only be done through the glorious power of the LORD God (the family of God, which at this time consists of God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ).

1) The person MUST be divinely called by God the Father – cf. John 6:44.

2) The person MUST answer that call.

Now, there are the world over people who have “checked out” of the world – such as monks, and hermits. Some are pessimistic and believe that the sky is falling, like Chicken Little. Some have gotten off the grid and have turned against society – having realized what this world truly is. But yet, they are not converted. Why? Because God the Father has not called them out of this world. …

Seven Signs of True Conversion

Reverent Fear of the LORD God

A reverent fear of the LORD God “is the beginning of knowledge” – Proverbs 1:7.

Most important, we should reverently fear the LORD God. And to fear the LORD God means that we are to RESPECT THEM. It means to rightly attribute all power and glory to THEM. For there is only One that rightly deserves to be called reverend – and that’s the LORD God! – Psalm 111:9, KJV. And we rightly love the LORD God by keeping the LAW OF GOD – 1 John 5:2-3.

Repent and believe in the gospel

As our Lord Jesus Christ instructs all people, “’ The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in [and obey, I add editorially] the gospel.’” – Mark 1:15.

Quite possibly misunderstood like no other step towards eternal salvation is the true meaning of repentance. The very word “repentance” has been blasphemously tossed about throughout the world like a small fishing bobber in an endless ocean. …

The LORD God’s living word is clear – “Then Peter said to them, ‘REPENT, and let every one of you BE BAPTIZED in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” – Acts 2:38.

So, we must repent. But repent of what?

Sin. …

Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ

One of the last things that the Apostle Peter wrote – under divine inspiration – speaking to us brethren, “You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; 18) but GROW IN THE GRACE AND KNOWLEDGE OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST.” – 2 Peter 3:17-18.

As I’ve been saying for many years now – sadly, some say, “I don’t want to learn any more than I did in 1972! – don’t confuse me!” Or, whatever year they use. Stagnation in the living Word of God, the Truth of God, and the Plan of God leads to death. …

Stay Steadfast In the Faith

Our LORD God tells us to “Be sober, be vigilant; because [our] adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 9) Resist him, STEADFAST IN THE FAITH, knowing that the same sufferings [and temptations and tribulations] are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.” – 1 Peter 5:8-9. …

Will you be steadfast in the faith?

A properly converted mind is a steadfast mind. …

Are You Able To Be Taught?

A willingness to be taught.

King Solomon wrote, “Happy is the man who finds wisdom, And the man who gains understanding” – Proverbs 3:13.

Properly understanding God’s living word is indeed a joy and a blessing! And, if it is applied in our life, our lives truly become happy and meaningful.

Are You Willing To Be Corrected If Wrong?

Why is the living word of God argued over more than any other book? Because human nature doesn’t like to be corrected. All the learning in the world comes to naught if you are unwilling to be corrected when you are wrong. Developing and growing in God’s character requires a person to be willing to be corrected.

“For whom the LORD loves He corrects, Just as a father the son in whom he delights.” – Proverbs 3:12.

Do You Listen To & Respect the Servants of Jesus Christ?

“ … ‘on this rock …’” – As “Peter” and “Rock” are one word in the dialect familiarly spoken by our Lord Jesus Christ ──the Aramaic, which was the mother tongue of that country in that period. This beautiful new name given to Peter, Képhas (Cephas) emphasizes the Apostle Peter’s role in the early New Testament Church of God, much like a solid rock upon which to build. “ … ‘I will build My church, …’” ─ not on the man Simon BarJonah (which means son of Jonah). “MY CHURCH,” says our Lord Jesus, calling the Church of God His own! So, a Church, not churches. And, our Lord Jesus has kept His word! His Church has existed continuously since 31 AD! …

Can you recognize our Lord Jesus’ true ministers!? He clearly tells us that you will recognize false prophets – as well as false self-appointed apostles, evangelists, pastors, and teachers – by their fruits. By the very fruits of their character. So likewise, our Lord Jesus is telling us that we can know His true and faithful ministers and servants by their fruit – which is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control – cf. Matthew 7:15-20; Galatians 5:22-23. …

(READ THE FULL ARTICLE: Church of Jesus Christ Online Ministries: Just What Is "Conversion"? (owensborocojc.com)

Yes. True Christians are to properly be converted as well to OVERCOME. We are not to compromise with the LORD God’s Way, but we are to improve daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly── building godly character. So that we can become a leader in the glorious Kingdom of God! See also our free no-obligation online PDF article: From the BEGINNING… GOD’S MASTER PLAN.

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 “Prophecy – Feast of Trumpets – 2022” delivered by Leonard V Johnson.

• Closing song.

• Closing prayer.

Also, in case one or more of our video platform channels are unavailable, down, restricted, or for whatever reason, we also have additional video platform channels.

We have a UGETube channel: https://ugetube.com/@cojcom

We have a BitChute channel: https://www.bitchute.com/channel/U3xLiHjo9y45

Some World News In Relation To Biblical Prophecy

In the United States of America── Sunday, there was a 2nd assassination attempt on POTUS Donald Trump ─ the would-be murderer was thwarted and failed. (See: AP – ‘5 things to know about the apparent assassination attempt on Trump’ along with New York Post – ‘Trump ‘safe and well’ after being targeted by would-be assassin with scoped AK-47 just a few hundred yards away while ex-prez played golf’).

Sadly, certain things associated with the attempted assassinations of POTUS Donald Trump are gravely disturbing and point at issues that the biased mainstream media DOES NOT want to investigate── as in true journalism.

The biased mainstream media DOES NOT want anyone to support Donald Trump, and they minimize any news coverage that they deem helps reelect him as the 47th President of the United States.

However, the election of world leaders is not under the authority of the people. It’s under the authority of the LORD God! Notice the following –

“’ This decision is by the decree of the watchers, And the sentence by the word of the holy ones, In order that the living may know That the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, Gives it to whomever He will, And sets over it the lowest of men.’” – Daniel 4:17.

The LORD God will decide who will be the next President of the United States of America── because as our great and awesome God says –

“’ Remember the former things of old, For I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me, 10) Declaring the end from the beginning, And from ancient times things that are not yet done, …’” – Isaiah 46:9, 10.

As well as –

“ … For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.” – Romans 13:1.

The LORD God knows which candidate will take certain steps that will lead to the ultimate fulfillment of His biblical prophecies for the end of this present evil age.

Truly, as our Lord Jesus Christ says, we are to WATCH WORLD EVENTS IN LIGHT OF BIBLICAL PROPHECY – “’ And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch!’” – Mark 13:37. And our Lord Jesus Christ also says, “ … ‘unless you REPENT you will all likewise perish.’” – Luke 13:3, 5. This means── WITHOUT NATIONAL REPENTANCE, THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (as we know it) WILL PERISH!

Neither President Donald Trump nor Kamala Harris has called for NATIONAL REPENTANCE── certainly, it’s because they do not properly understand God’s living word, biblical prophecies, or even the great need for such repentance.

While our nation as a whole will likely NOT repent, you can─ and you should.

“ … ‘Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39) For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.’” – Acts 2:38-39; 3:19-21.

In Europe── a shift is occurring related to immigrants. Germany has imposed border restrictions for immigrants, whereas it is also being reported that Sweden is paying upwards of US$34,000 to “repatriate” certain immigrants. (See: DPA – ‘Germany pledges new border checks will be 'targeted' to avoid queues’ along with ReMix – ‘Germany needs a border fence, demands AfD party leader Alice Weidel’ as well as BigLeaguePolitics – ‘Sweden Says To Pay Immigrants Up To $34,000 To Leave The Country’).

The AfD is considered Germany’s anti-immigration party. And its influence has steadily been growing as more in Germany have been supporting this party in her elections. Surely, the fact that TERRORIST ATTACKS ARE ON THE RISE IN EUROPE! – and that IS (the Islamic State terrorist group) has taken responsibility for the deadly stabbings in Solingen are reinforcing Germany’s stance on immigrants from the Middle East and parts of Africa.

Europe will eventually do more than just attempt to restrict immigrants – especially Islamic immigrants. It will eventually cast them out!

God’s living word in this two-fold prophecy shows us that a reunited seventh resurrection of a ‘beast’ civic leader (also called the ‘king of the North’) will arise and promise peace.

“And in his estate shall stand up a vile person, to whom they shall not give the honour of the kingdom: but he shall come in PEACEABLY, and obtain the kingdom by FLATTERIES. 22) And with the arms of a flood shall they be overflown from before him, and shall be broken; yea, also the prince of the covenant.

23) And after the league made with him he shall work DECEITFULLY: for he shall come up, and shall become strong with a small number of people. 24) He shall enter PEACEABLY even upon the fattest places of the providence; and he shall do that which his fathers have not done, nor his fathers’ fathers; he shall scatter among them the prey, and spoil, and riches: yea, and he shall fore3cast his devices against the strongholds, even for a time.” – Daniel 11:21-24.

This European civic leader will be (as alluded to in Daniel 8:25 and Revelation 13:3-4) A MAN OF WAR!

He will deport Islamists out of Europe and lead a most powerful United States of Europe military (See: Daniel 11:40-43; Revelation 13:3-4)!

The atmosphere in Europe is not pro-Islam, despite the many protests suggesting otherwise. We should expect the rise of other various steps to deport more Islamists out of Europe.

Brethren, Friends, and Co-Workers in Christ── we are in the time of the age that our Lord Jesus has called, ‘the beginning of sorrows.’ Ever-greater steps are taking place that will lead up to the prophesied ‘great tribulation.’

Once again, our Lord Jesus Christ says, “’ And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch!’” – Mark 13:37.

Concluding Comments

The psalmist was inspired by God’s Spirit to write the following –

“As the deer pants for the water brooks, So pants my soul for You, O God.

2) My soul thirsts for God, for THE LIVING GOD. When shall I come and appear before God? 3) My tears have been my food day and night, While they continually say to me. ‘Where is your God?’

4) When I remember these things, I pour out my soul within me. For I used to go with the multitude; I went with them to the house of God, With the voice of joy and praise, With a multitude that kept a pilgrim feast.’” – Psalm 42:1-4.

We should all thirst for the living God, and long to go with ‘the multitude’ that keeps the pilgrim feast’!

The holy Feast of Tabernacles is the “pilgrim feast” and we in the Church of Jesus Christ Online Ministries observe this annual feast each fall. Have you tried to assure that BY ALL MEANS you will keep and celebrate the feast of the LORD this year!?

In deep gratitude and love, in Jesus' name,

Leonard V Johnson