November/December 2009

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=100 BGCOLOR="#CCCCFF" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="04000640egdysm.jpg"> <div> <FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#000066" FACE="Arial" ><B>Church of God, In Truth</B></FONT><FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#000099" FACE="Arial" ><B> </B></FONT><B>    |     </B><A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Church of God, In Truth"><B>home</B></A></div> <div> back to<B>  </B><A HREF="id3.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Letters to the Brethren"><B>Letters to the Brethren</B></A></div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" width=200 BGCOLOR="#0000BF" TEXT="#F7F7FF"> <div> <A HREF="januaryfebruary_2012.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="January/February 2012">January/February 2012</A></div> <div> <A HREF="novemberdecember_2011.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="November/December 2011">November/December 2011</A></div> <div> <A HREF="septemberoctober_2011.htm" TARGET="_top" 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>                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             James Russell, Elder</FONT></div> <bR> <div> Dear scattered brethren and co- workers, </div> <bR> <div>      What a blessing it was to be invited to God's Feast of Tabernacles and Last Great Day here in Branson West Missouri.   It was another of God's best Feast ever!   The sermonetts and sermons flowed together like the speakers had planned them out at some meeting place prior to the starting of God's eight day Festivals.</div> <div>       The first days sermon began by explaining the "personal involvement that's needed at the start of the Millennium."  The second day was a detailed description of the important physical set up work that has to be performed by the "early crew" before the millennium Feast of Tabernacles starts.   The third day we heard how "Faith" plays a important part in The Feast of Tabernacles.  The fourth day we watched a DVD on "Evolution verses God." Fifth day was on "Seek ye first the Kingdom of God, and His Righteousness" (Matt 6:33).   The sixth day sermon was on the importance of "having God's Holy Spirit," and the seventh day ending the Feast of Tabernacles we heard a sermon on the "New Testament Feast of Tabernacles."   The Last Great Day covered "All shall live again at The Final Judgment."</div> <div>      Zechariah speaks of the coming of all nations to worship at Jerusalem-refers to the Feast of Tabernacles. "And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, and to keep the feast of tabernacles. And it shall be, that whoso will not come up of all the families of the earth unto Jerusalem to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, even upon them shall be no rain.  And if the family of Egypt go not up, and come not, that have no rain; there shall be the plague, wherewith the LORD will smite the heathen that come not up to keep the feast of tabernacles.  This shall be the punishment of Egypt, and the punishment of all nations that come not up to keep the feast of tabernacles.  In that day shall there be upon the bells of the horses, HOLINESS UNTO THE LORD; and the pots in the LORD's house shall be like the bowl's before the altar.  Yea, every pot in Jerusalem and in Judah shall be holiness unto the LORD of hosts: and all they that sacrifice shall come and take of them, and seethe therein: and in that day there shall  be  no  more  the  Canaanite  in  the  house of  the  LORD of  hosts" (Zech 14:16 - 21).</div> <div>      The Feast speaks eloquently of Christ millennial Kingdom-a new beginning without the ravages of the curse of sin!   Armies will no longer march, every man will sit under his own fig tree (Micah 4:4). Righteousness will become a reality on the earth!    </div> <div>      We received a couple encouraging e-mails from the Philippines. 1) "We just arrived from the Feast.  All were present.  The flood affected only one of us.  After the storm the weather was very nice for us here in Capiz. We really enjoyed the living together.  We made Psalm 133 our theme this year. I will be sending our pictures tomorrow.  I am short on words to describe our rejoicing.  We truly rejoiced especially for the brethren's help, thank all very much for us.  All of us are home now except for one family. They had to wait for their ship coming from Manila."   S.S. Philippines.  </div> <div>       2) "Greetings! It was a  week, so it seems, unlike no other. God's people dwelling together in the oneness of spirit, rejoicing before the presence of his Maker.                         </div> <div>             How God's invisible hands protected His people in the place where He had chosen to place His Holy name is evident. While the major cities and provinces of the Philippines in central and northern Luzon are experiencing the onslaught of typhoon Undoy and Peping, one after the other, yet in the Visayan Region where this year's festival was held - except for some little rain shower, the whole area was literally peaceful and calm.  As it was in the days of old, God in the flesh walked among men by the sea of Galilee showing miracles and wonders, so it is at the closing years of this age when God in Spirit abided with His people protecting them from the fury of nature as they walked by the sea of Marangkalan where this year's Feast of Tabernacles and the Last Great day were held.</div> <div>         We could not thank God and headquarter enough for making this year's annual celebration a resounding success. Many thanks to all who had helped us one way or the other looking forward to another blessful days ahead".</div> <div> R.S. Philippines.   </div> <div>      Coming out from  the influence of this world deception-to hear eight days of <B>God's word of truth,</B> can only be counted over many times as a blessing!      </div> <div>      Today we live in a  time of great deception. This deception comes from many sources, not the least of which is our government and yes, from false brethren and ministers as well. It is easier for most people to believe a lie, than to believe the truth found in God's word!  It seems most want to hear "smooth things" like Isaiah said in (Isa 30:9-10). " This is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of the LORD: Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, <B>speak unto us smooth things, </B>prophesy deceits." </div> <div>          Webster's "1828 American Dictionary of the English Language" define the word "deceived," as: "1) To ensnare; 2) To mislead the mind; 3) To cause to err; 4)  To cause to believe what is false; 5) Or to disbelieve what is true: to delude, to beguile, to cheat."  Jesus warmed His disciples, "Take heed that no man <B>deceive</B> you" (Matt. 24:4).</div> <div>      Strategic deception has been practiced throughout history.  Sun Tsu said, "<I>All warfare is based on deception!"</I>  The Greeks deceived the Trojans with the giant wooden Trojan horse, and thus defeated the ancient city-state of Troy in one night.  The Romans manipulated and deceived the Carthaginians into a false peace and disarmament, then attacked and annihilated them.   Is that what Russia, China, and Iran have on their mind for the USA?    </div> <div>      When Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, less than a mile from Jerusalem, His disciples asked Him what would be the sign of His coming and the end of the age?   His answer: "For many shall come in My name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.  And ye shall hear of wars and rumors of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.  For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilence's, and earthquakes, in divers places" (Matt. 24:6-7,11).  Christ mentioned deception four times in the context of Matthew 24, and inferred in Matthew 25 that the majority of people would be living life as normal.  "But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark" (Matt. 24:37-38).  Just prior to the flood in Noah's day [described in Genesis Chapters 6-8], people were oblivious to their coming destruction.  It is no different today.</div> <div>      Christ obviously showed there are parallels between that time of deception, crisis and destruction and the days we are presently living in.   Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21 are all headline news reports for today!   Just as Matthew 25 begins with the parable of the ten virgins which is a warning sign for God's people and their organized assemblies.  Too many have followed the path of the five foolish virgins.  They have become apathetic, complacent and confident that their roots in practicing syncretism will save them!</div> <div>      Notice Apostle Paul's inspired, by our Creator, instructions to Titus, when he appointed him to go and "ordain elders in every city."  "For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee: This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith; <U>Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, </U>that turn from the truth" (Titus 1:5, 13-14).  Those whom Paul was describing here refuse to accept the Bible as their sole authority and standard for religious teachings and personal conduct!  They, who will not endure sound doctrinal [truth] from God's instruction book, the Bible, will chose their own destiny.  "Truth" reveals the nature of God and of His remedy for sin.  Sin meaning: "missing the mark" [missing God's instructions of truth].</div> <div>      The five foolish virgins missed their mark and goal.  Why?  Because they did not take time to "Buy [procure, recover, redeem] <B>the truth, </B>and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding" (Prov. 23:23).  God's church has always faced the problem of perverted teachings that pose as "the truth."  Every teaching of God's church should be able to stand the closest of scrutiny.  Satan can always do more damage to the advancement of truth by working within the church than by attacking it from without!</div> <div>      Postponing God's annual Holy Day Sabbaths, is practicing Jewish fables and myths.  God's house [Church of God] today is being polluted by mixing Jewish fables with God's instruction book, the Bible!  "For the children of Judah [those that go back to their Jewish roots] have done evil in My sight, saith the LORD: they have set their abominations in the house which is called by My name, to pollute it" (Jer. 7:30).   </div> <div>      We are warned through the Apostle Paul's letter to Timothy.  "Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, <B>deceiving, and being deceived" </B>(2 Tim. 3:12-13).</div> <div>      Jeremiah, who's theme is "warning and judgment" writes, "For among My people are found wicked men: they lay wait, as he that setteth snares; they set a trap, they catch men.  As a cage is full of birds, so are their houses full of deceit: therefore they are become great, and waxen rich" (Jer. 5:26-27).  Paul understood Jeremiah's statement, that is why he warned to beware of people who talk smoothly and use flattery to deceive the minds of naive people.  Do you think that could happen in the Church of God?  Are there any smooth talkers in God's Church today?  Are there any naive people in God's Church?</div> <div>      Paul writes, "Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine [found in God's Word] which ye have learned; and avoid them.  For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple" (Rom. 16:17-18).</div> <div>      It is essential that thinking people who stand up for God's truth and values have the ability to <U>discern</U> between good and evil, falsehood and truth and especially syncretism [mixing religions].   Webster's Dictionary defines "discernment" as: "The understanding of the differences; to make distinction as to discern between good and evil; truth and falsehood."</div> <div>      While the greater majority of people throughout God's Church veg-out in their comfort zones, a small spiritual group who have not bowed their knee to Baal [mixing religions] are awake and understand what the five foolish virgins were to go and buy! "Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding" (Prov. 23:23).  You cannot buy God's Holy Spirit, evidenced by reading Act 8. "Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,  Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Spirit. But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.  Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God" (Acts 8:17-21). God's Holy Spirit is a free gift upon repentance and baptism.</div> <div>      God's truth, wisdom, instruction, understanding, guidance, discernment, protection, peace and strength is promised to all of us throughout God's Word, if we seek it out with a contrite spirit!   "......To this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at My word"(Isa 66:2).</div> <bR> <div>                               </div> <div>                                                                                   Church of God, in Truth </div> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>