Marriage

by Guy LaMar

Worldly marriages were not bound by God, and subsequent divorces could be forgiven.

Judgment is now on us – the living Church of God – not upon this world. With the unconverted, marriages in this world are recognized and bound by mankind. Marriages are “recognized” by God to be “unbound” when legally processed by State courts. The Church, therefore, recognizes the legality of divorces of those who are not members of the living Church of God.

In 1 Corinthians, the Apostle Paul speaks to the unmarried and widows. He also speaks to the married. And, he also speaks to the “rest.”

If a converted man has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she is NOT causing trouble and disrupting the marriage because of the man’s faith and religion, and if she is pleased to live with him, then he MUST NOT divorce her. He, in this respect, has no grounds for divorce. Likewise, the woman in God’s living Church, if she has an unbelieving husband, and he is willing to live with her despite his faith and religion, she shall not leave him on this grounds.

However, if the unbelieving person leaves – cutting off the marriage because of the Church member’s faith and religion – let him or her depart.

The believing Church member is given grounds for divorce:

• Adultery.
• Unequally yoked partner in the faith.
• Abandonment. To be connected is to be together. If there is an understanding that the partner has to go off to work for a while somewhere else that is acceptable.
• Physical or mental abuse.

If a Church member has been newly converted, and the spouse refuses to live with him or her because of their faith or religion – that is grounds for divorce, in the eyes of God.

If both are members of the living Church of God, and one “falls away,” turns bitter against the faith of TRUTH, and refuses to live as husband or wife with the still loyal member of God’s Church – this is grounds for divorce, in the eyes of God. In this case, the embittered spouse has become an unbeliever.

To be sanctified because of the converted spouse is ONLY when they both are able to dwell together.

The Apostle Paul gives us an important REASON for the converted spouse to CONTINUE in the marriage if the unconverted spouse is willing.

“For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband; otherwise [IN THE EYES OF GOD] your children would be unclean, but now they are holy” – 1 Corinthians 7:14.

The word sanctified does not mean made sanctimonious. Sanctified means “set apart” or put in a separate category.

They are “set apart” – like when Patriarch Noah was able to save his wife, his sons, and daughters-in-law, because of his righteousness.

Recall: When the LORD God drove Adam and Eve out of the garden of Eden and placed a cherubim at the east of the garden, and a flaming sword to guard the Way to the tree of Life (which represents the HOLY SPIRIT). The LORD God said, in effect: ‘You have made your decision. You have rebelled against Me, denied Me as your God, your Revealer of knowledge and wisdom, your Ruler. Therefore, I sentence you and the world after you – which shall be born from you – to be CUT OFF from Me. Except for a very FEW of whom I shall call out of this world into My service to prepare for the KINGDOM OF GOD.’

Our Lord Jesus Christ reiterates this when He says, “’ No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day [on the resurrection day]’” – John 6:44.

The ancient kingdom of Israel was specially called by the LORD God for a special purpose – even though they were still cut off from the Way to the tree of Life (the Holy Spirit).

So, the unconverted spouse is – in the eyes of God – sanctified [Strong’s Concordance #37 – “to sanctify, set apart, make holy”]. NOT NECESSARILY CALLED BY FATHER GOD TO RECEIVE HIS HOLY SPIRIT OR SPIRITUAL CONVERSION – but simply sanctified in the eyes of God. The unconverted spouse is “set aside” – neither converted nor called of Father God for special service unto Him, but sanctified. They are FREE to SEEK the LORD God if they will. And this same sanctification applies to the children of the unconverted spouse.

They certainly may be taught by the concerted parent and reach spiritual maturity. And, if they are to seek conversion, they would no longer be cut off from the LORD God.

Notice 1 Corinthians chapter 7 – “For how do you know, O wife, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, O husband, whether you will save your wife?”

If the husband or wife – who is a member of God’s living Church – divorces (for any reason other than what was covered earlier) the unconverted spouse who is more than willing to continue in the marriage, then that Church member has placed the unconverted spouse in the “cut off” category – whereas the unconverted spouse could have been saved for eternal life in God’s Kingdom.

A converted member of God’s living Church should only marry another converted member! This is God’s Way.

“A wife is bound by law as long as her husband lives; but if her husband dies, she is at liberty to be married to whom she wishes, ONLY IN THE LORD” – 1 Corinthians 7:39.

God’s living word says that a converted person should NOT marry an unconverted person. If they marry anyway – they have gone against God’s immutable word!

Just because a person has bits and pieces of biblical understanding DOES NOT make that person converted. They would certainly be in a mild portion of the conversion process. The majority of the time, this type of marriage is out of lust – often youthful lust. The converted spouse MUST ASK ALMIGHTY GOD FOR FORGIVENESS! However, the converted spouse has entered into a marriage covenant that is binding unto death. God’s living word shows us that there is a vast difference between “converted” and “unconverted.”

A converted person is being judged by God now – and is responsible unto God now. The unconverted person will be judged in the “great white throne judgment” – the second resurrection. A converted person is BOUND BY GOD to keep the marriage covenant.

In ancient Corinth, there were people coming into the Church of God who were in multiple marriages, along with extra-marital relationships.

What was the Apostle Paul’s admonishment!?

The Apostle Paul – through the Spirit of God – shows us that the LORD God forgives all our past sins upon true repentance, true baptism, and the laying on of hands – conversion. The present status of their marriage covenant and vow was ratified by God. At conversion, a true Christian is accepted by the LORD God in the status in which they are called. The Apostle Paul’s admonishment is that they stay with the one to whom they were married – whether that spouse is converted or unconverted – except for the reasons given above.

“But as God has distributed to each one, as the Lord has called each one, so let him walk. And so I ordain in all the churches. … 20) Let each one remain in the same calling in which he was called. … 24) Brethren, let each one remain with God in that state in which he was called” – 1 Corinthians 7:17, 20, 24.

Again, those who are within God’s living Church are being judged now.

It DOES NOT MATTER if the original marriage took place before a clerk of a circuit court, judge, or even a mainstream so-called Christian church.

When Father God called both partners, they came into God’s living Church already married. Their baptismal vows ratified their marriage vow – making them fully accountable to God at this present time. And, according to God’s living word, they are admonished to remain with God in that state unto death. Again, when Father God calls one of the spouses into His Church, they both have a covenant unto death.

“BUT TO THE REST I, not the Lord, say: If any brother [a member of the living Church of God] has a wife who does not believe, and she is willing to live with him, let him not divorce her” – 1 Corinthians 7:12.

The converted person SHOULD DO everything humanly and spiritually possible to build a godly relationship with their unconverted spouse.

Now, if a converted person were to decide to divorce their unconverted spouse who was more than willing to live with their converted spouse, then that converted person would NOT BE FREE TO REMARRY. Because the marriage would still remain bound – in the eyes of God.

Now, in the case in which the unconverted spouse leaves the marriage – i.e., breaks the marriage covenant, the converted mate may remarry in the eyes of God – he or she is no longer bound. The LORD God certainly does not intend that the innocent spouse’s life be on permanent hold.

“But if the unbeliever departs, let him depart; a brother or a sister [members of the living Church of God] IS NOT UNDER BONDAGE in such cases. But God has called us to peace” – 1 Corinthians 7:15.

The LORD God desires and makes it possible for the converted person to live a normal married life (ONLY TO A CONVERTED SPOUSE) – wherein they can grow spiritually in God’s grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, along with growing in godly character.

Now, in cases of porneia, or sexual immorality, prostitution, or marital unfaithfulness.

Our Lord Jesus Christ gave porneia as a grounds for nullifying a marriage. The Greek word porneia refers to prostitution, with the related terms porne and pornos referring to female and male prostitutes, respectively. 1

It is a case of fraud within the marriage. When discovered (in nearly all cases) immediately after marriage, it simply meant that God – knowing of this fraud – had actually not bound the marriage. And what followed therefore was an annulment - an annulment ends a marriage that was invalid from the start. However, this DID NOT APPLY in cases of marriage between unconverted people. Because the LORD God had not bound them anyway, they were bound by man’s law. And any divorce or remarriage is in accordance with man’s law.

Now, the living Church of God would not apply this annulment if the couple had continued living together for a period of time.

Of course, there are other types of marital fraud – such as being forced into marriage at the end of a shotgun.

Now, the matter of fornication BEFORE marriage CAN NOT BE USED AS GROUNDS FOR DIVORCE AND REMARRIAGE!

Our Lord Jesus Christ plainly says, “’ But I say to you that whoever divorces his wife for any reason EXCEPT SEXUAL IMMORALITY [fornication; hence prostitution, or marital unfaithfulness] causes her to commit adultery; …’” – Matthew 5:32.

Such a person who divorces their spouse for any reason EXCEPT SEXUAL IMMORALITY is guilty – in the eyes of God – of causing their divorced spouse to commit adultery. A person who therefore marries such a person is living a life of polygamy! The LORD God WILL NOT honor such a wicked and vile union. Such a marriage is of Satan the Devil. NOT of God! □

1) "Porneia ." Encyclopedia of Sex and Gender: Culture Society History. . Encyclopedia.com. 8 Nov. 2022 <https://www.encyclopedia.com>. Retrieved 14 November 2022.

Personal From... WHO is the HEAD of this website?

Leonard V Johnson     About 

WHY IS IT THAT 2.3 k read this website!? How did it come into being!? Does it fill a purpose – does it fill a need!? WHO is the HEAD of this website!? WHAT makes it live!?

Our average first-time visitors for the past six months is 73.1. That’s a 105% increase from the previous six months! And taking a glance at our Google Search Console many of our readers would like answers. So, in this month's Personal, I will try to oblige.

         But let me say this first. We have mentioned several times how a certain Weekly Update is chock-full of nothing but political Right-Wing rants! And I just recently received my copy of a certain WATCH magazine. Thumbing through it I see that their number one seller is still Garner Ted Armstrong. They have nothing new – 2 Peter 3:18. They certainly paint a picture of what’s wrong in this world. But they continue to proclaim just what Minister Guy LaMar spoke about in his op-ed piece “Satan the Devil and David Pack” - They preach hard on the end of the world scenario – it gets them attention and is a money-maker for them and their immediate families. In the said magazine there’s an article entitled “And the WORLD GOES CRAZY.” You do a word search throughout that article and you discover that God or our Lord Jesus Christ is nowhere mentioned. Now, you say, “So what!”? Well, I’m just spitballing here, but shouldn’t a leader of a so-called Christian church group mention God or our Lord Jesus Christ – at least a few times in an article!? Instead of an all-out political tirade!? I highly suggest that you read TODAY “antichrists – in the last hour” by Minister Michael C. Garrett.

     So, I would like to know from our readers what you would like to know – to UNDERSTAND. In the search bar, you’ve typed in – “adulterous generation meaning,” “zuckerberg lord’s prayer against community standards,” “evanjalist,” “oprah of the abiezrites,” “is Dimash muslim,” “garner ted Armstrong sermons,” “are anchovies biblically clean,” “diocese of owensboro,” “macrotreds,” and “fred coulter sermons.” Also “jesus prophesied civil unrest” – 0.17%. “is obidiah talking about modern-day turkey” – 0.12%. Along with “can we say that unleavened bread of sincerety and truth is jesus or points to jesus” – 0.02%. All of these are important and revealing search queries.

    I’d also like to know WHAT problems you would like to UNDERSTAND!? What will most help You? The Church of Jesus Christ Online Ministries and our affiliated churches are HERE for You!

     I was a little surprised when I glanced over this list from the past sixteen months. “Salvation” wasn’t even listed. I am thrilled, however, to see that “jesus online ministries” was listed as the subject of first interest. People want to know more about us and our affiliated churches. Next came “owensboro church of christ” along with on our Statcounter, “owensboro church of jesus christ” from our Kentuckian brethren. Next came “civil unrest.” Surely our peoples want to know more about our Lord Jesus Christ’s prophesied end-time civil unrest. Some wanted to know more about the promises given by God to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. And many want to know just where are these fast-changing world conditions taking us.

    But – what do YOU want to know!? What is YOUR greatest area of interest!? What do you want most to understand? Your comments and suggestions will be welcome. We have at the bottom of our Home page a button that will link you to our Comments and suggestions page.

     I have before me, printed out, a comment from a person who wishes that I would “do the honorable thing” and use God’s true names, YHWH and Yahusha. Which, he claims is written in my Bible. After I had written him back and explained that our loving God would not be insulted or angry that – because I speak English – I would speak and write His name in English. He wrote back calling me “the Deceiver.”

     Just like in our Lord Jesus’ day, this new knowledge is not what the majority of our peoples around the world want to know. They like and feel most comfortable with the Old Covenant along with their Judeo-Christianity. We need most to know the Salvation offered by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ – and how to receive this salvation. Of the soon-coming kingdom of God to this Earth! Of what will truly solve this world’s problems – of what will end our troubles – and of what will bring lasting world peace along with individual happiness and prosperity. And this is the kind of information we give to you. Not only godly knowledge which will satisfy your curiosity – but KNOWLEDGE which will last you for all eternity!

     This surely is the answer to my first question: “Why is it that 2.3 k read this website?”

     But how was it that we got started – WHO is our HEAD!? These are questions that I am so proud and honored to answer.

     I, as a young man, was an inquisitive child. At the age of fourteen, I began receiving The Ambassador College Bible Correspondence Course. Since birth, I believe that church was a part of God’s true Church. After I whizzed through that course, I asked my Father if I could begin attending the church with my grandmother – she had been a member for years. He agreed. I was enthralled, and elated to continue learning God’s living Word, Truth, and Plan! I learned the FOUNDATION of Father God’s Message which was brought by His glorious Son to Earth! His good news of the redemption of all mankind. But, also what I soon discovered was the very real fact that this church was like the title of Clint Eastwood’s 1966 spaghetti Western, The Good, the Bad and the Ugly! They threw me out at the age of sixteen for asking too many questions! After this, for seven long years, I had wandered in the wilderness.

     In 2011, Father God began to call me with an ever-greater ferocity! I started up a website which was called The Word of Truth. But then seven years later I was contacted by three splinter groups from that church organization of my youth threatening to sue me if I didn’t cease and desist from using portions of their articles. Stating, “While we appreciate your interest, our material is copyrighted.” They apparently do not even heed our Lord Jesus Christ’s living word, “’ Freely you have received, freely give.’” Preaching and teaching God’s living Word, Truth, and Plan is about self-sacrifice. To us, it’s about – loving the LORD our God with all our heart, with all our soul, and with all our mind. And, loving our neighbor as ourselves! – cf. Matthew 22:37-40. It’s NOT about getting attention and making money for our families.

     I went to Father God and our Lord Jesus in intense prayer and supplication of what direction I should take. They brought to my attention that I should forget all about the oligarch Armstrong family, and focus solely on JESUS CHRIST!

     In 2018, while I was studying God’s living word in relation to the resurrections, I came across the conversation that our Lord Jesus had with Jarius, the synagogue ruler, regarding his daughter. I came to our Lord Jesus’ words, “’ Stop wailing,’ Jesus said, ‘she is not dead but asleep.’” A soft whispering voice in my mind spoke to me which said, “You must believe Me!” Before that I had begun to drift away from God’s foundational doctrines which are found in His living word – the Holy Bible – and, I put up with it! – cf. 2 Corinthians 11:3-4. The Apostle Paul wrote, “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose” – Rom. 8:28. God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ had allowed me to drift off the narrow way and begin to ‘put up with’ a false gospel to be a catalyst to Their plan! God led me to His New Covenant with better promises – the very promise of eternal life! I have come to understand – based on forty years of involvement, interaction, Scriptural study, and hearing what God’s Spirit says – that the Church of God from my youth was based upon some biblical truths and some partial truths - there were some teachings that were not based upon a proper understanding of God’s living word.

     Therefore, I accepted the challenge of a multi-month intense Bible study. Breaking down and methodically going through each doctrine of God’s living word – I truly wanted to understand and know biblical truth and knowledge and to properly distinguish, differentiate, and discern between biblical truth and biblical error. I needed to erase the chalkboard – but not completely forget – everything I was taught for those 3 ½ years. I started with the elementary principles of Christ – cf. Hebrews 6:1-2, and began to learn the truth of God as shown to me through God the Father and Jesus Christ as I read, studied, and prayed in connection with God’s living word – Them being my Teacher. It is our LORD JESUS CHRIST WHO IS OUR HEAD!

     In January 2019, The Church of Jesus Christ Online Ministries was launched.

     Now, once again, HOW can the Church of JESUS CHRIST Online Ministries and our affiliated churches best serve YOU by preaching and teaching what you need most to know!? Please, sit down, write us a letter or send us a comment, and tell us. □

Church of Jesus Christ Online Ministries

P.O. Box 6458

Spring Hill, FL. 34606

www.owensborocojc.com

     

Letter to our Friends - November 4, 2022

CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST ONLINE MINISTRIES

P.O. Box 6458

SPRING HILL, FLORIDA 34606

www.owensborocojc.com

Leonard V Johnson

Pastor/Overseer

Greetings friends from Spring Hill, Florida:

Here we are in America and it's election time again. Much of the media is focused primarily on next Tuesday’s midterm elections. The Republicans are screaming that the Democrats are destroying this nation and must be eliminated in order to “Make America Great Again.” The Democrats are screaming that the Republicans are a threat to their “Radical Left-Wing Agenda.”

Friends and brethren, do not allow yourselves to get all caught up in this idiocy! We, brethren, as soldiers for Christ Jesus should not engage ourselves with the affairs of this life, that he may please [H]im who enlisted him as a soldier – 2 Timothy 2:4.

Also, we are admonished in God’s living word – “Let every soul [life] be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God” – Romans 13:1. And, at the time that the Apostle Paul was writing here, Emperor Nero was the fifth Roman emperor and final emperor of the Julio-Claudian dynasty, reigning from AD 54 until his death in AD 68. And as most should be aware of – his reputation preceded him! So, if you think President Joe Biden is a terrible president, many of the apostles had to deal with Nero! The Roman historian Tacitus relays to us that Nero had extensively tortured and executed Christians after the fire of 64! 1 We just simply have a president that is cognitively impaired! Notice this October 4th article from the New York Post – “America deserves answers on President Biden’s cognitive function.”

Our Lord and Savior says, “’ But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, …’” – Matthew 6:33.

Minister Guy LaMar writes:

“We, as true Christians, MUST take a stand while we have an opportunity available.”

(LaMar, G., “Commentary: Should Christians Vote?” 2/20/22).

Even though we shouldn’t get all caught up in their idiocy, it is our contention that it is a duty and a responsibility of every true Christian to vote. But to vote for leaders who are living and promoting godly principles. For as we just read, our Eternal LORD God is most certainly in control, but as we are told “whatever you do, do it heartily, as TO THE LORD and not to men” – Colossians 3:23. God’s living word instructs us to obey legitimate authority UNLESS that authority contradicts the LORD God’s commands, statutes, and judgments. Any candidates that are running in an election that is knowingly violating the LORD our God, as in life, family, marriage, or faith – should NEVER be supported or voted for!

Our brethren in a great many nations, countries, and provinces around the world are being oppressed, persecuted, and even silenced. They are suffering under a government that they are powerless to help change. A government that hates our faith and our great and merciful LORD God! Our beloved brethren preach and teach the same gospel Message we preach and teach here in the United States of America. Here in America, we have been truly blessed by the LORD God to speak up about and to choose our leaders without fear of persecution or retaliation. Of course, as we continue to proclaim – that great blessing has been taken away because our nations continued falling away from God! e.g. “Thanksgiving To God EVERY Day!”

On June 10th, 2020, in our Letter to our Friends I had written –

“Because of the wrongful killing of suspected criminal George Floyd and the terrible aftermath of the often violent protests and rioting, this has been a tumultuous week. A relative of my wife and mine have been non-violently protesting in New York City. … He quoted on his Facebook page:

‘Tonight was the 2nd night in a row that I personally witnessed police officers using excessive force on a group of completely peaceful protesters.

They threw one man to the ground resulting in what some said looked like a broken arm. Pushing countless others into walls and fences while they obeyed orders. The police then trapped ~1000 protesters and held us. When Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, who was part of the protest, approached the police chief to ask why we were attacked the chief's only response was that it was past curfew and we were blocking traffic. Before long the chief agreed to let the protest continue but protesters were too shaken to resume.

I was shoved onto a car by the police while obeying their orders and backing away with my hands up.

This is how police treat people that they have been trailing for hours and know are peaceful. No riots. No looting. Nothing even close. We got the least of it compared to other peaceful NYC protests.

What do you stand for?’”

And, because I felt so strongly, I wrote him back and said – “In my personal opinion, protesting in this manner (and I understand it was non-violent) is not truly helping, it's adding to the chaos. Unfortunately, the way this government system works is a change from the top down. We must create change through leadership. We should take advantage of our right to vote (something the apostles - except for maybe Paul who was a Roman citizen - did not have the ability to do) and vote for leaders in government that do not abuse our rights as citizens - no matter what creed, race, or religion.”

What about the candidates that are running for election for this next Tuesday’s midterm!? Do any of them live and promote godly principles!?

We, as true Christians, should certainly be praying for them! As the Apostle Paul writes –

“Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made FOR ALL MEN, 2) for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all goodness and reverence. 3) For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior” – 1 Timothy 2:1-3.

So, notice that we are to pray earnestly for world leaders and those who have authority over us so that we may “lead a quiet and peaceable life.”

We should also pray –

“The will of the Lord be done” – Acts 21:14.

Our Lord Jesus teaches us –

“’ And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words. 8) Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him. 9) In this manner [in other words, ‘as an example’], therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hollowed be Your name. 10) Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven’” – Matthew 6:7-10.

This should be the type of prayer that all true Christians should have concerning the elections. For we are told in His living word –

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; 6) In ALL YOUR WAYS ACKNOWLEDGE HIM, And He shall direct your paths” – Proverbs 3:5-6.

Certainly voting for a candidate that promotes evil, like abortion (as nearly all Democrats do) is NOT doing the will of God! – it is not something a true Christian should do!

Facebook and Google Censorship IS REAL!

As I had written in my latest Personal - We here at the Church of Jesus Christ Online Ministries, and this certainly affects our affiliated churches, have been persecuted for Christ Jesus and His living Word, Truth, and Plan for the redemption of all mankind; and I’m certain that we shall continue to be persecuted until our final breath. The most popular and influential social media platform around the world – Facebook – has silenced our Lord Jesus Christ’s voice. The Church of Jesus Christ Online Ministries' Facebook page was “disabled” because they say that we went against their “Community Standards.”

Back in 2018, one previous Facebook employee had had enough! –

October 16th, 2018

“Brian Amerige, whose last day at Facebook was Friday, told Fox News' “Tucker Carlson Tonight” that “you can't have conversations about ... anything that's a tenet of the social justice ideology, effectively, without being attacked personally.” He added that the company's recent policy cracking down on so-called hate speech was a particularly sensitive topic.

“You can't even have conversations about that policy inside the company without having your character attacked -- and I've experienced this personally -- without being called a sexist or a racist or a transphobe or an Islamophobe,” said Amerige.”

(“Former Facebook engineer who railed against liberal culture explains why he quit” Retrieved 4 Nov. 2022).

Left-leaning groups – which are very much real – often are aggressively opposed to God’s living Word, Truth, and Plan as taught from His living word. And various ones have been taking steps to censor biblically oriented content on the Internet!

But friends this grave trouble with Facebook is not just trouble for Brian Amerige, or even the Church of Jesus Christ Online Ministries and our affiliated churches – it is terrible trouble for the whole world!

Notice the following concerning the mega-company Google –

October 10th, 2018

Is the world’s largest search engine really free? And, if not, are its users? An 85-page document leaked to Breitbart argued that in order to prevent certain political events, tech companies would have to start censoring web content. … Google’s analysis explained how a shift from that American free speech policy toward one that is more in line with the European tradition: promoting civility, dignity, and editing. The precise wording is that the European method is “favoring dignity over liberty and civility over freedom.” According to the document, Google wants a new role as a “editor and publisher” of the content that provides civility and dignity. …

(“Report Urges Google to Abandon Free Speech and Be 'The Good Censor’” Retrieved 4 Nov. 2022).

This grave censorship, persecution, and biases of “social media companies” are becoming more and more prevalent – and accepted. Also when you read that article, which includes the internal Google memo entitled “The Good Censor,” it is encouraging the adoption of a European model of censorship as opposed to the one established by our forefathers – the American model of freedom of speech and press, and freedom of religion!

The LORD Our God shows us that even greater restrictions are soon coming –

“’ Behold, the days are coming,’ says the Lord GOD, ‘That I will send a famine on the land, Not a famine of bread, Nor a thirst for water, But of hearing the words of the LORD. 12) They shall wander from sea to sea, And from north to east; They shall run to and fro, seeking the word of the LORD, But shall not find it’” – Amos 8:11-12.

So, the LORD our God tells of a time that will come when the word of the LORD will not be found. And that would certainly seem to be because the Word of God, the Truth of God, and the Plan of God will be taken off the Internet altogether. Here in the 21st century, the Internet is accessed by people in every nation, country, and province. So, some type of Internet restriction, suspension, or outright deletion is coming!

And while the self-proclaimed ‘king of social media’ along with Alphabet Inc. – this world’s third-largest technology company! It is one of the BIG FIVE American information technology companies, alongside Amazon, Apple, Meta, and Microsoft -continue to set the stage for this prophecy to come to full fruition, God’s living word shows us that a United European power will arise and essentially FORCE people to accept a particular, along with a false leader and prophet.

God’s living word shows us that Satan the Devil will give power and authority to a soon-coming European “beast” and those whose names are not written in the Book of Life will worship this “beast.”

Here is Minister Michael C. Garrett's writing of this ‘beast’ power:

“Early on in Revelation 13, verse 2 we read about a concept which is called “the beast,” … That refers to a reorganized and revitalized concept of the “Holy” Roman Empire. Countries in Europe unifying in the end-times. And Revelation 13:15 – “He [referring to a great religious leader here. It’s not referring to a political leader here] …” Well, look at verse 11 – “Then I saw another beast [speaking of this great religious leader] coming up out of the earth, and he had two horns like a lamb and spoke like a dragon.” This is referring to a great religious leader who has his roots of power in the continent of Europe – and has had for almost two thousand years. Verse 12 – “And he [this second beast] exercises all the authority of the first beast in his presence, and causes the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed.” –

now, what’s that “deadly wound”!? Well, the Roman Empire – the greatest world Empire ever in the ancient world – had its height of power and completely controlled most parts of Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa. And yet, that great Empire eventually struggled and crumbled and disappeared. And then there were revivals of the concept of the “Holy” Roman Empire. Up to this point in history, we’ve had six revivals. The last one was Hitler’s Germany and Mussolini’s Italy. The Bible says there will be seven revivals altogether. We haven’t gotten to the seventh revival yet. But the seventh revitalization of the “Holy” Roman Empire is what chapter 13 is talking about early on. And so this second beast is a great religious movement.”

(Garrett, M.C., The MARK of the BEAST, 2019, pp. 11-12).

This ‘European model’ will not end well for the United States of America – see “Freedom – A True Blessing From God” as well as “Prophecy Series – A Final Empire!” Even greater censorship is coming! A totalitarian police state is also coming! – cf. Revelation 13 – see also “’ Equity Cannot Enter’” as well as “Authoritarianism Can Happen Again!”

In North America, Daylight Saving Time Ends

This coming Sunday, November 6th, at 2 AM, the United States of America along with several other nations (such as Canada, Bahamas, Bermuda, Cuba, and Haiti) change our clocks to go back to Standard Time. And because our clocks change, sunset will be over an hour earlier next Friday in the U.S., Canada, Bahamas, Bermuda, Cuba, and Haiti. This certainly may very well affect your work or school schedule, but also your health. Notice again a report from the New York Post – “Here’s why turning back the clocks is bad for your health.”

Suggested Sabbath Day Services

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 Accompaniments to the Bible Hymnal available on our website).

• Opening prayer.

• A song of special music. Might we suggest “Hold Onto Me” performed by Minister Guy LaMar!?

• Announcements – from the deacon or pastor.

• Sermon – from the pastor or a guest speaker. The one suggested for this week is “Future Rulership With Christ” delivered by Minister Leonard V Johnson.

• Closing song.

• 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 BitChute channel, as well as our Soundcloud Radio channel.

Some World News In Relation To Biblical Prophecy

Speaking of this upcoming election in the United States of America, there are some who are pointing out that a “blood moon” is expected then and that it is an important warning sign (See: ‘Israel365News - RARE BLOOD MOON LUNAR ECLIPSE ON US ELECTION DAY”). Now, as I have, personally, spoken of in the past – years ago – this “blood moon,” like the earlier ones of 2013 and 2014, are simply natural phenomena, and we shouldn’t be dismayed by them – as we are told in Jeremiah 10:2 – “Thus says the LORD: ‘Do not learn the way of the Gentiles; Do not be dismayed at the signs of heaven, For the Gentiles are dismayed at them.” In fact, I just speak of this in a new article “New Wine In Old Skin”. This includes the next “blood moon.”

Over in the eurozone – which is currently comprised of 19 EU nations that have adopted the euro €, inflation has hit an all-time high since it was formed – and there have been protests in Europe (See: “DW - Eurozone inflation jumps to record-high 10.7%”).

Violent civil unrest in different parts of Europe will continue before the “beast” power rises up. We are seeing ever-increasing protests – and protests may worsen as winter approaches.

Concluding Comments

The Apostle Paul in Titus wrote:

“This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men. 9) But avoid foolish disputes, genealogies, contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and useless. 10) Reject a divisive man [a person who tends to cause disagreement or hostility between others] after the first and second admonition, 11) knowing that such a person is warped and sinning, being self-condemned.” – Titus 3:8-11; NKJV.

Minister Garrett has written:

“ [A] … man who actually claimed to be a member of the Church of God was claiming that abortion was a “good thing.” And he was just incensed that anyone would be against abortion. And obviously, there were people on the other side. And I guess it almost went to a bear knuckle brawl!? Now imagine - At a church holy festival people are getting so animated to the point of hatred, to the point of just intense rancor, and displeasure, that they almost got into a fistfight over something they can’t control. … And then, somewhere else there was a heated argument over discussions of political candidates! … And even today, I’m sure that there are church groups where people get into major disagreements over politics. And they do it on the Sabbath day while they’re attending church. And folks, it’s just not good! It’s not good! My suggestion is – to stay off the topic. Now I think you can discuss politics in a calm manner. I think I’ve done it many times in my life. But when all of a sudden that becomes your team, and that becomes your player, your star, your captain, your coach, and you’re not about to let anybody disparage your side, your team – then you have a problem! Folks, LOOK TO JESUS! And, how many times have I said that!? Look to Jesus! And especially on the Sabbath day! If you’re gonna get together, talk about something that Jesus Christ would talk about. Talk about something about Jesus Christ or the New Covenant, or blessings that have come about in your life or challenges that are coming in the future. And you wish for people’s good thoughts and prayers to be on your behalf. But to dive down into the ugly sewer of politics is just unbecoming and unacceptable – if you wanna know the truth. It’s just unacceptable.”

(Christ In You (Unleavened Bread) 2017 Day 6).

The lack of the ‘fruits of the Spirit’ of those insisting on being improperly divisive should be crystal clear. Yet, those who do such things do not properly see their ‘lukewarm’ work – cf. Revelation 3:14-16. They need their eyes properly anointed to see and to repent (change) – cf. Revelation 3:18.

Friends, “’ He who [truly] believes in Me [in Jesus Christ]…’” will surely believe what the living Bible says and teaches and will continue to support the Work of God and be careful in maintaining good works unto God.

In deep gratitude and love, in Jesus' name,

1) Tacitus, Annals. XV.44.

A Morning Bible Study - Is God's Spirit Within You?

 Leonard V Johnson    About

Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ tells us that we will know a true Christian by their fruits – Matthew 7:15-20; 12:33-35. Is God’s Spirit within you? Are you a Spirit-begotten child of our living God – and how can you tell!?

Let us delve into God’s living word and find His answer to these IMPORTANT questions. This knowledge is vitally important to properly understand.

One of the first things listed in our Statement of Beliefs is the Holy Spirit. It is the very power, mind, and life of God. The Holy Spirit is not a Person – or a third member of a so-called trinity. The family of God is not limited to any “trinity” – as the greater majority of this world’s Christianity presumes. God is a family. And one of the greatest of mysteries of which Almighty God speaks of is the TRUTH that the God family is in the process of expanding the God family and “plant[ing] the heavens” – Isaiah 45:18; 51:16.

And our Lord Jesus Christ is the firstborn Son of this divine family! All glory, honor, and praise be to God, true Christians are to be co-heirs to inherit sonship with our Lord Jesus in the family of God! To be gifted eternal life (Romans 6:23), power, and glory, when born again into the very family of God into the glorious kingdom of God on the EARTH – 1 Peter 2:9; Revelation 5:10.

Now, we are aware that within those last two paragraphs there is a lot to digest for many. A great many of our peoples have NEVER HEARD of what God’s living word truly teaches. We have a great many articles and sermons which help explain this awesome TRUTH of God, and PLAN of God! Such as: “Personal From… What Gospel?”, “A Morning Bible Study – God’s Coming Kingdom”, “The Two Keys to Eternal Life”, “Salvation Offered To All”, “Future Rulership With Christ”, and “The Truth Concerning the Trinity Explained”.

Yet, before a true Christian can be born again, they must first be begotten by the Spirit of God so they can grow spiritually, developing the very righteous character of God. And this is only possible through the glorious Holy Spirit living within the person. CHRIST IN US! – cf. 2 Corinthians 3:17.

1) According to God’s living word – the Holy Bible – who must all Spirit-begotten true Christians strive to “grow up in all things”?

Notice what our Lord Jesus expects from His servants –

“’ Therefore you shall be PERFECT [or complete – spiritually mature is what the word means], just as your Father in heaven is perfect.’” – Matthew 5:48.

“till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.” – Ephesians 4:13.

The word “perfect” in Matthew 5:48 is the Greek word teleios, meaning “perfect, mature, finished.” (Strong’s Concordance #5046). So, what our Lord Jesus is saying is that His followers are to become spiritually mature.

Of course, we cannot become absolutely spiritually mature – perfect – until the glorious resurrection.

“Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. [See: Revelation 1:12-16] … 9) Whoever has been BORN of God does not sin, for His seed [the Holy Spirit] remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been BORN OF GOD.” – 1 John 3:2, 9.

In the meantime, God desires us to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” – 2 Peter 3:18.

“He who says, ‘I know Him,’ and DOES NOT keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.” – 1 John 2:4.

“But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. 6) He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked” – 1 John 2:5-6.

Anyone who does NOT obey and DOES NOT keep God’s commandments is NOT His! Thus, they DO NOT have the Holy Spirit of God. They have their own idea of just what the Holy Spirit actually is – but they truly are NOT His!

God does not bend His rules to fit people’s imaginations of what their religiosity or tradition claims.

The Holy Spirit is only within those who are TRULY OBEDIENT TO GOD and forsake their own lives for Jesus Christ and who OBEY GOD’S COMMANDMENTS – summed up with the TEN COMMANDMENTS!

“’ IF you love Me [‘If you are loyal to Me’], keep the commandments – namely, My commandments. 16) And I will ask the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that it may be with you throughout the age’” – John 14:15-16, NET.

What is the end result of this spiritual process of growth!?

“My little children, for whom I labor in birth again until Christ is formed in you” – Galatians 4:19.

Our Lord Jesus Christ causes that new creature to be created in you, which Paul talked about.

And, this is an aspect of the Days of Unleavened Bread which many are not aware of. Instead, the remnant churches of God continue to preach – “Go around each year and look for old crumbs of bread!” That is a Judaic concept! And then somehow that was supposed to make you put sin out of your life – totally illogical. Can’t do it! Can’t put leavening out of your life – it’s everywhere! Just like yeast – it’s everywhere! And evil thoughts exist in you at every cellular level! You – of and by yourself is carnal – born into sin! cf. Psalm 51:5.

We are flesh and blood, and we’re not subject to the will of God! – Romans 8:7. But, the glorious Spirit of God begins to make a change – which is called conversion. Bit by bit – step by step. And, looking for crumbs doesn’t make it happen!

“I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live [meaning not of and by our own volition, our own willpower], 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.

Truly, it means exactly what God’s living word says - ‘Christ lives IN me!’ and for seven days we have this physical ritual of imbibing unleavened bread to remind us WE NEED JESUS CHRIST in the innermost parts of our being!

2) According to God’s living word – does our living Lord Jesus truly “live” within Spirit-begotten children of God to help them grow spiritually!?

“To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory” – Colossians 1:27.

Our Lord Jesus Christ does the ‘works’ within us! And the FOUNDATION did not come by our works! It was God’s doing! He GAVE us the FOUNDATION to build upon. And that FOUNDATION is CHRIST JESUS! – Christ In Us – cf. 2 Corinthians 13:5; Galatians 2:20; 4:19; Ephesians 3:17.

“Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, 21) make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen” – Hebrews 13:20-21.

We speak quite a bit about the concept of CHRIST IN YOU!

And it actually comes from a phrase that we read about in Romans 8:10, when the Apostle Paul says, “But you are not in the flesh but IN THE SPIRIT, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if ANYONE does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His.” – Romans 8:9-10.

“For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are [children] of God.” – Romans 8:14.

And since JESUS CHRIST is the Spirit (2 Corinthians 3:17) and your body is the temple of the Spirit – which is Christ in you, we must be nourished daily by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!! Christianity is a growth process. The begotten child of God MUST grow! And this growing process requires TIME! We MUST overcome these three – Satan the devil, this world, and our own SELVES!

3) Since our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ says that we are to know true Christians by their “fruits” – what about false prophets and false ministers!?

“’ BEWARE of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. 16) You will know them by their fruits’” – Matthew 7:15-16.

Now, suppose you try and find fellowship with one of the hundreds of church groups which are in this world – which include the Baptists, Church of Christ, and Methodists. They believe in the immortality of the soul – if indeed they have not gone “modernist” – they do not OBEY God’s eternal Law and therefore cannot have His Holy Spirit. There is no basis whatsoever for fellowship with them. They are being deceived. They are of the UNFRUITFUL WORKS OF DARKNESS! What about those churches which worship on the correct day? - they may even annually keep God’s Festivals. But do they have the fruits of God’s Spirit!?

So, we MUST have fellowship first and foremost only with Jesus Christ, and only those who are joined together in the Word of God, the Truth of God, and the Plan of God – all speaking the same TRUTH.

How did our Lord Jesus describe Himself, our Holy Father, and Their truly begotten true Christians!?

“’ I AM the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. 2) Every branch in Me THAT DOES NOT BEAR FRUIT HE TAKES AWAY; …’” – which means that we, brethren, are being winnowed and sifted as in removing chaff from wheat grain.

“ … ‘and every branch [in Me] THAT BEARS FRUIT HE PRUNES, that it may bear more fruit. 3) You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. 4) Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, UNLESS it abides in the vine, neither can you, UNLESS YOU ABIDE IN ME.

I AM the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, BEARS MUCH FRUIT; for without Me you can do nothing.

If anyone DOES NOT ABIDE IN ME, …’”

The very Greek word here for “abide” is menō, which means “to follow His example of a life OBEDIENT to the will of God.”

And, for that matter, let’s take a look at Webster’s English definition of “abide.” –

abide \ə - ‘bīd\ vb abode \- ‘bōd\ or abid-ed; abid-ing [ME, fr. OE ābīdan, fr. ā-, perfective prefix + bīdan to bide; akin to OHG ir-, perfective prefix] vt (bef. 12c) 1: to wait for “ AWAIT ” 2 a: to endure without yielding: WITHSTAND b: to bear patiently: TOLERATE … to remain stable or fixed in a state 2: to continue in a place: SOJOURN. 1

The LORD our God’s habitation is where He lives. And the habitation (the dwelling place) that He chooses is not a town, a city, a state, a location, but within each and every one of His chosen begotten children. Our Heavenly Father and our Lord Jesus Christ abide within us – Their habitation is within Their holy temple. This is the place They wish to place Their name – within us. We MUST SOUJOURN WITH THEM!

“ … ‘he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. 7) If you ABIDE IN ME, and MY WORDS ABIDE IN YOU, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. 8) By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples’” – John 15:1-8.

Once you are begotten by the glorious Spirit from Father God, you must continually be led by His Spirit and BEAR MUCH FRUIT throughout this Christian life.

But what fruit are we to bear!?

In the Book of Galatians, the Apostle Paul outlines for us the fruit we are to produce – the results of the glorious Holy Spirit living within us.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering [patience], kindness, goodness, faithfulness [faith], 23) gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law” – Galatians 5:22-23.

Love – which is the Greek word agape. The highest form of love, the love of God for man and of man for God.

“Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit [which] was given to us” – Romans 5:5.

The primary characteristic of the LORD God is love – 1 John 4:16. And it is the greatest attribute that is transmitted to us by the Spirit of God – 1 Corinthians 13:13. God’s Spirit living within us imparts to our spirit His very traits! And the first and most important fruit of God’s Spirit is love.

I recall from my youth attending a church group – with a membership over 100,000 at the time – and after three-and-a-half years was . . . Let’s just say “shunned”! It turned out, they DID NOT have God’s love. They, instead, only had a form of human love.

4) Is the love of God the very love which helps us to fulfill – to OBEY – the Law of God!?

“Owe no one anything EXCEPT to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law” – Romans 13:8.

And continuing, the Apostle Paul clearly shows us the Law he was referring to – “For the Commandments [speaking of the Ten Commandments], ‘You shall not commit adultery,’ ‘You shall not murder,’ ‘You shall not steal,’ ‘You shall not bear false witness,’ ‘You shall not covet,’ and if there is any other commandment, are ALL SUMMED UP in this saying, namely, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself’” – verse 9.

5) Again, and I add this as a direct question – because it is SO VITALLY IMPORTANT! Can an individual who DOES NOT OBEY the LORD God’s commandments possess the Holy Spirit of God which helps us produce the fruits of the Spirit!?

“’ And we are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit whom God has given TO THOSE WHO OBEY HIM’” – Acts 5:32.

When you receive the gift of God’s Spirit, the love of God is the first and foremost important fruit that will begin to manifest within you. The other fruits mentioned by the Apostle Paul amplify this glorious characteristic of God’s very nature – love. The very divine love gifted to those whom God the Father calls out of this world and its churches.

Is faith another vital fruit of God’s Spirit?

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faith, 23) Meekness, self-control; against such things there is no law” – Galatians 5:22-23, NET.

It is NOT possible to please God without real faith!

“But WITHOUT FAITH it is impossible to please Him for he who comes to God MUST believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him” – Hebrews 11:6.

6) Must obedience to the LORD God accompany one’s faith in order to make it alive and acceptable to God!?

“Do we then make void the Law through faith? CERTAINLY NOT! On the contrary, we establish the Law.” – Romans 3:31.

The universal message from nearly every pulpit falsely tells people that Jesus Christ abolished, or “fulfilled,” His Father’s law – but your Bible says otherwise!

God’s living divine word mentions nothing about grace being a license to disobey the Law of God! To be “under grace” means to be extended mercy and forgiveness as a result of sincere repentance and resolve to obey Almighty God.

This is explained further by the Apostle Paul –

“For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under Law but under grace. What then? Shall we sin because we are not under Law but under grace? Certainly not!” – Romans 6:14-15.

Now, does that raise a lot of tongue-wagging! The people who want to say that the Ten Commandments are done away, they will cite this verse and say, “See, you’re not under law, you’re under grace.”

We don’t have enough room here in this short Bible Study to go over this VERY IMPORTANT subject, but to learn more be sure to watch the sermons “Look To Jesus, Not Moses,” as well as “Is The Law Done Away?”

Also, a very brother to our Lord Jesus, Saint James explains to us –

“What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him?” – James 2:14.

“Faith without works is dead” recorded Saint James. But what exactly did he mean!?

Turn with me if you will to Ephesians 2:8-9 – “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9) not of works, lest anyone should boast.” Yet, we need works. Saint James was inspired to write: “If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, 16) and one of you says to them, ‘Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,’ but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? 17) Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead” – James 2:15-17. And, he repeats it yet again, “But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?” – verse 20. And yet again, “For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also” – verse 26.

In the Word of God, when you see things repeated over and over and over, you realize that God’s truly trying to get you to wake up and to understand that this thing that He’s saying is VERY IMPORTANT!

Now, I boldened parts of those verses because of those three words – grace, faith, and works. The word grace comes from the Greek charis which means “the state of kindness and favor toward someone.” The word faith is from the Greek pistos which means “faithfulness, belief, trust, with the implication that actions based on that trust may follow.” And, the word works comes from the Greek ergon meaning “work, deed, activity, task, job.”

Now the majority of Protestants and Catholics alike base their belief wholly on the works of charity. And 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 New abolishes God’s Ten Commandments and is based wholly on promises. This, of course, is NOT true! Complete obedience to God’s eternal and universal Law is a condition we must meet to have salvation. Be sure to read Acts 15:13-39 and Acts 21:17-26 – Saint James completely endorses and supports Saint Paul!

Q: Why would the LORD God want someone in Their family that has faith, but without works!? One of our greatest jobs in God's glorious kingdom will be to help people - physically and spiritually! Now, not one person can earn salvation by "works" - “by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God.” Yet, EVERYONE MUST PRODUCE 'good works'!

God’s grace and faith saves us. “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them” – Ephesians 2:10.

7) When one receives the gift of the Holy Spirit, will God’s fruits of His Spirit suddenly appear within us overnight!?

“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.

And he also tells us how this growth must take place – “Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, HYPOCRISY, envy, and all evil speaking, 2) as NEWBORN BABES, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby, 3) if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious” – 1 Peter 2:1-3.

Now, there are so many of our peoples that just want to believe what they want to believe. They absolutely refuse to accept or even hear want they don’t want to believe – whether it’s right or wrong. Prejudism is a strong barrier to growth in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

After true repentance, baptism, and the laying on of hands, and after receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit, we must continue the IMPORTANT process of spiritual growth by having our Lord Jesus Christ live within us! –

“ … ‘I AM the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in [as well as “on”] Me shall never thirst’” – John 6:35.

We can only continue to grow spiritually if we continue drinking in our daily supply of God’s living water – His Spirit. As for myself, every morning before I get out of bed, I thank God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ for another day, and ask Them to renew in me Their Spirit! – cf. 2 Corinthians 4:16; Psalm 51:10. □

1) Webster M. Merriam Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, Incorporated, abide, 1996, pp 2.

Scriptural Index:

Old Testament - Psalm 51:5, 10; Isaiah 45:18; 51:16.

New Testament - Matthew 5:48; 7:15-20; 12:33-35; John 6:35; 14:15-16; 15:1-8; Acts 5:32; 15:13-39; 21:17-26; Romans 3:31; 5:5; 6:14-15; 8:9-10; 14; 13:8, 9; 1 Corinthians 13:13; 2 Corinthians 3:17; 13:5; Galatians 2:20; 4:19; 5:22-23; Ephesians 2:8-9; 10; 15-17; 20; 26; 3:17; 4:13; Colossians 1:27; Hebrews 11:6; 13:20-21; James 2:14; 1 Peter 2:1-3, 9; 2 Peter 3:17-18; 1 John 2:4, 5-6; 3:2, 9; 4:16; Revelation 1:12-16; 5:10.

October Stats

GREETINGS EVERYONE! Welcome! November 2022! Another brand new month!

www.owensborocojc.com thanks you for making this year GREAT! Here are the stats for www.owensborocojc.com for the month of OCTOBER which you helped make possible!

Thank you sincerely, in Jesus' most holy name,

www.owensborocojc.com.

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Top Five Articles of Last Month

● Are You Of God, or the god of this world?

● Christ - Our Atonement

● God's Promises To Abraham - Chapter 2

● Personal From... What Is True Spirituality?

● A Morning Bible Study - What the Feast of Tabernacles Pictures

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