November/December 2003

<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><FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000099" FACE="Arial" ><B> </B></FONT><B>   |     </B><A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Church of God, In Truth"><U><B>home</B></U></A><B> | </B><FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000099" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="id3.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Letters to the Brethren"><U><B>Up Level</B></U></A></FONT></div> <div> <A HREF="id291.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="September/October 2004"><U>September/October 2004</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id287.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="July/August 2004"><U>July/August 2004</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id283.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="May/June 2004"><U>May/June 2004</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id275.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="March/April 2004"><U>March/April 2004</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id254.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="January/February 2004"><U>January/February 2004</U></A>   |   November/December 2003   |   <A HREF="id245.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="September/October 2003"><U>September/October 2003</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id242.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="July/August 2003"><U>July/August 2003</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id238.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="May/June 2003"><U>May/June 2003</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id231.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="March/April 2003"><U>March/April 2003</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id228.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="January/February 2003"><U>January/February 2003</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id221.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="November/December 2002"><U>November/December 2002</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id215.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="September/October 2002"><U>September/October 2002</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id211.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="July/August 2002"><U>July/August 2002</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id207.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="May/June 2002"><U>May/June 2002</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id203.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="March/April 2002"><U>March/April 2002</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id199.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="January/February 2002"><U>January/February 2002</U></A></div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" width=200 BGCOLOR="#0000BF" TEXT="#F7F7FF"> <div> <B>Church of God, In Truth</B></div> <div> <A HREF="id291.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="September/October 2004"><U>September/October 2004</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id287.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="July/August 2004"><U>July/August 2004</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id283.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="May/June 2004"><U>May/June 2004</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id275.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="March/April 2004"><U>March/April 2004</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id254.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="January/February 2004"><U>January/February 2004</U></A></div> <div> <B>November/December 2003</B></div> <div> <A HREF="id245.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="September/October 2003"><U>September/October 2003</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id242.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="July/August 2003"><U>July/August 2003</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id238.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="May/June 2003"><U>May/June 2003</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id231.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="March/April 2003"><U>March/April 2003</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id228.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="January/February 2003"><U>January/February 2003</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id221.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="November/December 2002"><U>November/December 2002</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id215.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="September/October 2002"><U>September/October 2002</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id211.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="July/August 2002"><U>July/August 2002</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id207.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="May/June 2002"><U>May/June 2002</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id203.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="March/April 2002"><U>March/April 2002</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id199.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="January/February 2002"><U>January/February 2002</U></A></div> <bR> </td> <td valign="top" height=380 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <I>November/December 2003</I></div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>AFTER GOD'S FESTIVALS</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Times New Roman" > </FONT></div> <div> James Russell, Elder</div> <div>  </div> <div> To God's Scattered Brethren, </div> <div> Greetings, from two locations: Branson West, Missouri and Corona, California. Starting with Branson West: After a fulfilling, joyful Feast Of Tabernacles and taking advice from God's Word along with a sermon given by Mr. Fleming on meditation before going to the Feast, it was all put into action. While sitting on our deck overlooking Table Rock Lake after the Last Great Day and meditating on God's Feast and plan for mankind, we could see the sun's light sparkling and dancing on the surface of the water. Four Red Tailed hawks glided through the sky searching for food between the thick multi-colored tree leaves that are now in a illuminated rainbow of colors. It is truly a breathtaking millennial setting. God must have had this in mind when setting His annual Autumn Festivals at this time of year. </div> <bR> <div> Observing God's meaningful Holy Days with a serving, joyous attitude, really deepens our oneness with God - especially when those of like mind come together in unity. The Apostle Paul stated this as a goal for all who are trying to obey and keep God's truth. "Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into Him in all things, which is the Head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love. This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind" ( Eph. 4:13-17). Paul wrote earlier in verse 1, that we are to "Walk worthy of the vocation wherewith you are called, with all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." </div> <bR> <div> God's appointed annual Festivals for 2003 are written now into the Lord's History Book of remembrance. In the last book of the Old Testament, Malachi writes, "Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before Him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon His name. And they shall be Mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up My jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spares his own son that serves him. Then shall you return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serves God and him that serves Him not" (Mal. 3:16-18). </div> <bR> <div> On the second day of God's Feast Of Tabernacles, after reading I Timothy 3:1 and Titus 1: 5-14, with special emphasis on verses 13-14 of Paul instructions to Titus, where he told him to go and "Set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain Elders in every city, as I had appointed you." Paul charged Titus to warn those he ordained to Eldership to "...not give heed to Jewish fables and commandments of men who turn from the Truth." In today's Christian world, the Jewish practice of Postponing God's annual Holy Days obscures God's truth! After reading these verses, I asked Mr. Pete Fleming to come to the lectern to be ordained an Elder. Mr. and Mrs. Fleming have been serving God's called faithfully for many years. </div> <bR> <div> Back home in Corona and breathing smoke from the fires near by; we are reminded once again that we are still in a world where Satan is attacking and influencing God's creation. It is for this reason we are reminded on God's "Last Great Day," also called "Day of Judgment," that there is Judgment or Scrutiny on every believer. For God's called it reminds us that our works are important to God's righteous spotlight. If we qualify as gold, silver and precious stones, we shall receive a reward. But if we amount to wood, hay or straw, we shall be left with out a reward, says 1 Cor. 3:15, " But if any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire." Eternal life is no small thing! Our great Savior died for us and therefore grace is not cheap. The least we can do is give Him everything. Paul, while in Corinth wrote in his letter to Rome, "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, Holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be you transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God" (Rom.12:1-2). </div> <bR> <div> For centuries people around the world have endeavored to find the door that leads to everlasting life. All they have to do is "blow the dust off their Bible." God, who is the "I AM," said clearly, " I am the door: by Me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture [food for life]" (John 10:9). Christ is the door that leads to Eternal life and Salvation! </div> <div> In Christian Love </div> <div> Church Of God, In Truth </div> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>