Leonard V. Johnson
Pastor and Co-Founder
Dear Brethren, Co-Workers, and Friends in Christ around the world:
Greetings from Spring Hill, Florida.
I am sending this letter to all of you early because my wife and I will be leaving towards the end of this month on vacation. We will travel on a seven-day cruise to the Bahamas, the Cayman Islands, Cozumel, and Falmouth, Jamaica. Please keep us in your prayers for our safety.
Building Righteous Character
As we are aware brethren, we are to strive to build godly, righteous character.
Here are some wonderful ideas on how you can do this from an online article last January──Be Not Ignorant of Satan──
To Arms! To Arms! Take Up the Shield of Faith!The apostle Paul gave us another wonderful passage. Ephesians chapter 4, about three verses. We can, sadly, “grieve the Spirit.” Verse 30 – “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, …” – We’ve always seen this to mean – don’t squeeze the Spirit of God out of you! I don’t think God takes His Spirit from you. Because we’re told, the gifts and the repentance of God are without repentance. He doesn’t take away His Spirit, but I think we – as human beings – have the capability to simply drive God out of our minds, and out of our presence. Verse 31 – “Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. 32) And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.” – and think about the times we’ve been told – if you are not willing to extend mercy, mercy will not be shown to you! If you are not willing to forgive, forgiveness will not be extended to you by God. It’s said over and over, just plain as can be!Notice that in 1st Peter 5:8, the apostle Peter wrote under inspiration, “the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he MAY devour.” And, whom MAY Satan the adversary devour? Can he devour you!? It’s an IMPORTANT question!We can certainly know who he MAY devour by knowing who he cannot devour. “We know that whosoever is BORN OF GOD sinneth not; but he that is BEGOTTEN OF GOD keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not” – 1 John 5:18, KJV. That wicked one (Satan the devil) CANNOT TOUCH A BEGOTTEN CHILD OF GOD who “KEEPS HIMSELF”! In other words, IF WE ARE VIGILANT AND WATCHFUL!Are you able to believe this guarantee from JESUS CHRIST THE MAGNIFICENT ONE!? The LORD God states that Satan the devil cannot even touch us – so long as we “keep ourselves.” If we are vigilant and sincerely dedicated to our Lord Jesus Christ. But, if we let our guard down and do not “keep ourselves” then Satan the devil will have an opportunity to devour us.The apostle Paul warns not to “give place to the devil.” – Ephesians 4:27. In other words, don’t give Satan the devil and his imps an inch. Our enemy will use any means – any open opportunity – by which he can take advantage of us. An example in the Book of Job shows us that Satan the devil will attack our very character and will try to dislodge our integrity and faithfulness to the LORD God – cf. Job 1:6-11.The LORD God’s loving mercy and grace have blessed us with ample spiritual ammunition to ward off Satan the devil and his imps. But, we MUST utilize this spiritual ammunition! Our enemies have many devices they use and we must know them – and expose them. …Forgive and Forget SinsDo you find it difficult to forgive and forget sins – either those you have committed and have sincerely and heartfelt repented of, or sins committed against you!? “’ For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: 15) But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses’” – Matthew 6:14-15. When you sin and you immediately go to Father God and our Lord Jesus Christ and sincerely repent and ask for forgiveness – do you then forget that sin!? Do you forgive yourself!? When a person trespasses against you – do you ask Father God and our Lord Jesus Christ to forgive that person for their trespass against you!? Do you – like the LORD God – then forget that sin that they trespassed against you!?“For as the heavens are high above the earth, So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him; 12) As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us” – Psalm 103:11-12.Or, do you continue to dredge up and remember the transgression – the sin!? When you see or hear that person who trespassed against you, do you immediately allow that trespass to spark in your mind? Does your unforgiveness of sin taint your attitude toward that person? The LORD God remembers our sins no more – “’ I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake; And I will not remember your sins’” – Isaiah 43:25.Brethren, when we continue to rehash and harp on the bygone sins of others – we are not punishing that person – we are merely damaging ourselves and opening ourselves up to Satan the devil. …Be Not Discouraged!We are always affected by those who trespass against us. Physically or emotionally. When severe personal tribulations close in on us, let us not be disheartened, discouraged, or dismayed. The apostle Paul knew and understood that the discouragements resulting from tribulations laid the groundwork for the “tempter” to tempt us. …We are commanded to live by faith – Romans 1:17. The worse the trial – the tribulation – the greater the potential for the development of faith. A faith that can remove mountains if need be – metaphorically speaking. Let us not allow Satan the devil to have any opening by becoming disheartened, discouraged, or dismayed by a trial. Rather, ask Father God and our Lord Jesus Christ to grant you even more of Their faith. …“And above all things have fervent love for one another, for ‘love will cover a multitude of sins.’” – 1 Peter 4:8. As well as – trespasses.Be Not Self-RighteousPride can make a person condescending and self-righteous so that he sees himself as greater than he actually is. Lucifer was prideful and he became SELF-RIGHTEOUS! Thinking himself greater than our Lord Jesus Christ! It’s easier for prostitutes or even Sabbath-breakers to acknowledge their sins than even a self-righteous individual. A self-righteous person – by definition – does not normally recognize their sins.The wonderful Book of Job (pronounced jōb) is within God’s living word to teach us the lesson of self-righteousness. Because Job, in his heart, had said, “I am pure, without transgression; I am innocent, and there is no iniquity in me. Yet He [the LORD God] finds occasions against me, He counts me as His enemy.’” – Job 33:8-10. …As I noted in our online PDF booklet “Does God Exist?” ─ of a female Lutheran LGBTQ+ preacher who was exhibiting self-righteousness – self-righteous people tend not to be alone. She vehemently invited the young man who challenged her back to her lair – surely so that she would have a Legion behind her. All with the same general belief! To console, sympathize, encourage, and sustain each other in their self-righteousness – just as their father Satan the devil has always done.Be Not Accusatory!Have you ever thought why a particular individual who has trespassed against you is still doing just fine!? You, of course, “knew” that he or she had trespassed against you - is the LORD God blind!? Certainly not! “Why isn’t the LORD God punishing that person?”Do not despise the riches of the LORD God’s goodness, patience, self-control, and tolerance. But rather know “that the goodness of God leads you to repentance.”Sadly, some judge others – especially those in the Church of Jesus Christ. Often, when we feel that when a member of His Church stumbles, our status rises. But, in fact, we all suffer – cf. 1st Corinthians 12:26.We are warned, “ … you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; …” – Romans 2:1. Now understand – “’ Judge not, that you be not judged’” does not mean that we can never tell whether or not something is a sin. …Brethren, “’ Judge not’” means do not impute motives, do not malign an underlying attitude, do not condemn. Only the LORD God can look within someone’s heart (cf. 1st Samuel 16:7). Only the LORD God can pass that judgment or that condemnation. …Gird Up Your Loin With Jesus Christ!Brethren, the LORD our God does not leave us defenseless. Our mighty Lord Jesus THE MAGNIFICENT goes beyond just telling us what not to do – He also instructs us what we should be doing to thwart Satan the devil and his devices. He has not given us “a spirit of fear” or ignorance, “but of power and of love and of A SOUND MIND” – 1 Timothy 1:7.The apostle Paul goes over this with us in Ephesians 4 –“if indeed you have been taught BY HIM, as the truth is IN JESUS: 22) that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, 23) and BE RENEWED IN THE SPIRIT OF YOUR MIND, 24) and that you PUT ON THE NEW MAN which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.25) Therefore, PUTTING AWAY LYING [which includes putting away FALSE RELIGIONS AND BELIEFS], ‘Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor,’ for we are members of one another. 26) ‘Be angry, and do not sin’: do not let the sun go down on your wrath 27) nor give place to the devil. 28) Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need. 29) LET NO CORRUPT WORD [or even FALSE DOCTRINE, or GOSSIP] proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.” …Finally, my brethren – turning to Ephesians 6 – describes our defenses against Satan’s kingdom.“Put on the WHOLE ARMOR OF GOD” and “take up the WHOLE ARMOR OF GOD” “so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.”1) “Put on” and “take up” are both active processes. We must consciously every day wholeheartedly do our part.2) We NEED the “whole” armor of God.” Nothing less than the full protection of God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ!3) “to stand against the wiles of the devil.” We have no alternative but to stand and fight. Running away from a roaring lion will only be worse. It’s important to remain threatening to Satan the devil and his imps while your loin is girded with the WHOLE ARMOR OF GOD!“above all, taking the SHIELD OF FAITH with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one” – Ephesians 6:10-16.What are his fiery darts!? Well, they may come in various guises – persecutions, false accusations, and tribulations. But, brethren, so long as we have THE SHIELD OF FAITH – “FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST” – Satan’s fiery darts will only bounce off! …We must, brethren, continuously read and study God’s living word, diligently building up our Scriptural vocabulary and understanding.Finally – we see how to integrate and vivify all the pieces of God’s armor into one strong team –“praying ALWAYS with all prayer and supplication IN THE SPIRIT, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints─” – Ephesians 6:18.Brethren, this work of JESUS CHRIST is trumpeting the glorious and powerful return of our Savior, Master, and Elder Brother to take the kingdoms of this world away from Satan the devil! And this work of JESUS CHRIST helps reveal the ‘mysteries’ of God’ and the very fact that every person – past, present, and future – can qualify to become God! …
Indeed, true Christians are to strive to build righteous character. Continually calling upon the LORD God to help gird up our loins with our Lord Jesus Christ will strengthen our defenses against the wiles of the evil one! Let us PUT ON THE WHOLE ARMOR OF GOD! Let us never compromise with the loving will of the LORD God for us──but to build daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly the very godly character that our loving Father has!
Be sure to read also today our free 9-page PDF article:
From the Beginning… God’s Master Plan. As well as watching our sermon: You Were Born to Rule!
Soundcloud Radio Channel
Our online Soundcloud channel offers FREE ACCESS to a wide range of biblical subjects──including –
The Analytics
Total listeners: 361 (Nov. 6, 2023 – Nov. 6, 2024)
Top Countries: USA, Ghana, and Nigeria (Nov. 6, 2023 – Nov. 6,2024)
Audio Books and Booklets (Nov. 6, 2023 – Nov. 6, 2024)
● END-TIME PROPHETS – total plays: 60
● The MARK of the BEAST – total plays: 6
● God’s Promises to Abraham – total plays: 56
Followers: 41
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.
• Sermonette – may we suggest Minister Leonard Johnson’s latest Personal – “Bitterness ── a terrible spiritual cancer” available on our Soundcloud Radio Channel.
• Sermon – from the pastor or guest speaker. The one suggested for this week is “’ Woe to those who call evil good.’”
• Closing song. May we suggest listening to “Why Me Lord?” by G.C. LaMar.
• Closing prayer.
In case you do not receive a ‘Letter to our Friends’ for any week, remember that there are many sermon messages on the Church of Jesus Christ Online Ministries’ UGETube channel. Also, we post all of our ‘Letters’ on our website: https://www.owensborocojc.com/search/label/Church%20letters.
Some World News Concerning Biblical Prophecy
In Iran──Designated as a State Sponsor of Terrorism in 1984, Iran continues its terrorist-related activity in 2024! There are a few in Iran who wanted Donald Trump to win the presidential election, as they hope he will help in overthrowing the theocratic pathological government (See: DW – ‘Why many in Iran want Donald Trump to win the US election’).
Yes, there are a few in Iran (ancient Persia in God’s living word – the Holy Bible) that desire a regime change. They did not see this as very likely with Kamala Harris and her administration.
President Donald Trump did pull out of the terrible nuclear deal with Iran──and as such, has been seen as somewhat unpredictable in various ways.
The Biden-Harris Administration immediately took steps to rejoin the atrocious nuclear deal with Iran and released billions of frozen funds to terrorist Iran! And, Iran launched vicious attacks against Israel──all during the weak and fickle Biden-Harris Administration! However, still NOT the attack that is prophesied within Isaiah 22:6-8!
Sadly, this damaging attack will occur no matter who is president of the US!
Here is something concerning this from our Letter to our Friends – June 22, 2020──
Friends, as our Lord Jesus Christ WARNS: “’ For nation will rise against nation, …’” – literally, ethnos – meaning, ‘a people will rise against people.’ “ ‘… and kingdom against kingdom.’” – Matthew 24:7. There will be an intifada of ethnic groups against ethnic groups. Europe will temporarily align with a power from the Middle East and North Africa (Psalm 83:3-8; Daniel 11:27). And, an intifada in the Middle East could ultimately involve Syria (Isaiah 17:1) and Iran (Isaiah 22). There will come great damage to Jerusalem and Palestine, and Israeli leaders will look seriously for peace deals.
Let us continue to place our faith in our Lord Jesus Christ and His soon-coming kingdom, not in any man or woman. The LORD God’s living prophecies will be fulfilled, irrespective of who is the President of the United States.
In Europe──concerning its massive, combined military strength, the nations of Germany and the United Kingdom agreed to a new defense pact. (See: Defense Here – ‘UK, Germany ink 'landmark defense agreement' to strengthen security, prosperity’). Also – (AFP News Agency – ‘UK and Germany sign 'landmark' defence deal’).
This appears to be the most significant UK-Germany military agreement since Brexit 2016.
With that being said, concerning world history──there has been a long connection between the royal families of Germany and Great Britain.
Notice Wikipedia –
“In 1714, George I, a German-speaking Hanoverian prince of mixed British and German descent, ascended to the British throne, founding the House of Hanover. For over a century, Britain's monarchs were also rulers of Hanover (first as Prince-Electors of the Holy Roman Empire and then as Kings of Hanover). There was only a personal union, and both countries remained quite separate, but the king lived in London. British leaders often complained that Kings George I, who barely spoke any English, and George II were heavily involved in Hanover and distorted British foreign policy for the benefit of Hanover, a small, poor, rural, and unimportant country in Western Europe. In contrast, King George III never visited Hanover in the 60 years (1760–1820) that he ruled it. Hanover was occupied by France during the Napoleonic Wars, but some Hanoverian troops fled to England to form the King's German Legion, an ethnic German unit in the British army. The personal link with Hanover finally ended in 1837, with the accession of Queen Victoria to the British throne, while obtaining Heligoland from Denmark. The semi-Salic law prevented her from being on the throne of Hanover since a male relative was available.Every British monarch from George I to George V in the 20th century took a German consort. Queen Victoria was raised under close supervision by her German-born mother, Princess Victoria of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld, and married her first cousin Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha in 1840. Their daughter, Princess Victoria, married Prince Friedrich Wilhelm of Prussia in 1858, who became Crown Prince three years later.”(Wikipedia contributors. (2024, November 1). Germany–United Kingdom relations. In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 10:18, November 7, 2024).
Let us consider the Book of Hosea with a two-fold prophecy. It reveals to us that there will occur great troubles with Israel (modern-day United States of America), Judah (modern-day Israel), with Ephraim (modern-day United Kingdom) ──as well as troubles with end-time Assyria (modern-day Germany).
Note what Hosea 5:5 teaches which will come to fulfillment──
“The pride of Israel testifies to his face; Therefore Israel and Ephraim stumble in their iniquity; Judah also stumbles with them.”
Here this two-fold prophecy shows us that Israel (modern-day USA), Ephraim (modern-day United Kingdom; which includes respectively Northern Ireland, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand), and Judah (the modern nation known as Israel) will have terrible troubles. Certainly, the United States has great pride in our military strength! But, this strength will be broken and spent in vain──because the LORD our God will set His face against us as nations (cf. Leviticus 26:19, 28-33).
In Hosea 8:14 concerning this same two-fold prophecy, our cities will be devoured by fire. Recall that ancient Sodom and Gomorrah were also destroyed by “fire and brimstone” ── now, truly is this expression – as some mistakenly argue – just an idiom, or did our LORD God really rain down FIRE AND BRIMSTONE!? What I personally believe to have been an asteroid – e.g. the Tunguska event of 1908. The cities of the plain were utterly destroyed because of their “sexual immorality” and going after “strange flesh” – Jude 7. Truly, these same sins are spreading like cancer throughout the Anglo-Saxon lands! (be sure to read or listen to Minister Guy LaMar’s Commentary – Homosexuality). Sadly, the overall majority of our peoples who do not believe that this dual prophecy applies to the modern descendants of Jacob will not be saved from this terrible wrath of God that is coming – Deuteronomy 29:29.
Concluding Comments
The apostle Peter gives us a plain and clear guideline about facing tribulations –
“Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; 13) but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.
14) If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified.
15) But let none of you suffer as a murderer [spiritually or physically], a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people’s matters. 16) Yet if ANYONE suffers as a Christian, let him NOT be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter” – 1 Peter 4:12-16.
True Christians are ambassadors for Christ!
In the Book of Luke chapter 6 – in what is called “the Beatitudes,” our Lord Jesus Christ told us the Way we should conduct our life – Luke 6:20-23. I suggest, however, reading verses 24-49 as well.
The apostle Paul, in 1st Timothy 4:12, tells us to “be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.”
For ministers of God as well as the flock it is IMPORTANT always to keep this in mind – for those who do not believe – you might be the closest they will ever be to the glorious soon-coming Kingdom of God.
While so many Christians feel compelled to make sure the “gloom and doom” messages outweigh any solutions offered – and maybe they do this because of control – if we, as true Christians, focus on the positives of God’s truth and hope in this darkened world – then God’s Way of light will shine forth upon the negatives.
Brethren, we have been blessed with the Redeemer (Isaiah 41:14; 47:4; 48:17; Psalm 19:14; Luke 1:68; Romans 3:23-24; Galatians 4:4-5; Ephesians 1:7, 13-14; Colossians 1:13-14; Hebrews 9:11-12) – the Holy One of Israel! He will also bless us with the tools to combat this world’s negativity and to model the abundant life that He came to give us! – cf. John 10:10.
The ANSWER is found through JESUS CHRIST!
In deep gratitude and love, in Jesus' name,
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