Dear Brethren and Co-Workers in Christ:
We hope and pray you are doing well spiritually as well as physically.
We were able to finalize the cover for the next Bible News Prophecy magazine, work on the following magazine, as well as make significant progress on another animation.
We also made some progress on another booklet and have made some improvements (edits/corrections) to a couple of existing booklets.
Canadian Feast of Tabernacles
Herb Haddon sent the following last night:
Dr. ThielA location has been chosen for this year’s Feast of Tabernacles.Details:– Location: Ramada Plaza6445 Boul. DécarieMontréal, Québec, Canada1 (514) 739-3800 for bookinghotel website: http://www.ramadaplazamontreal.com/Meetings will be in the banquet room.Meeting times will be the same as is listed on the CCOG Festival site.For more information call Herb Haddon at: (cell) 506 442-8889or email: hwhaddon@gmail.comHerb
If you plan to attend in Canada, please email Herb Haddon to let him know.
For information on our 2018 sites, check out: Feast of Tabernacles’ Sites for 2018.
Over a Million YouTube Views!
We have now passed 1,000,000 views of our YouTube channels as normally reported by YouTube (we have other views, YouTube does not report, based on certain downloads, etc.).
We continue to have success on YouTube, despite what seems to be its bias against those who hold to biblically-approved positions. This mainly seems to have affected those who might otherwise find our BibleNewsProphecy channel, though it affects the ContinuingCOG channel as well.
The BibleNewsProphecy channel has now had over 618,000 views. The ContinuingCOG channel has had over 386,000 views. The CCOGAfrica channel has had over 5,000 views. Our newest channel, CCOG Animations channel, has over 900 views.
We originally choose YouTube ‘television’ because it was convenient and basically free. It also has wide viewership all over the world.
We have also seen an increase in our number of subscribers. As of this morning, we have 3,017 ‘subscribers’ to the BibleNewsProphecy channel and 1,519 for the ContinuingCOG channel. This is up from November 9, 2017 when we had 2,770 subscribers to the BibleNewsProphecy channel and 1,301 for the ContinuingCOG channel. We now have 41 subscribers to the CCOGAfrica channel and 25 to the CCOG Animations channel
YouTube says that “Subscribers watch more,” meaning that they typically watch more of what is on the channels they subscribe to than non-subscribers. Anyway, we have never promoted getting ‘subscribers’ to the YouTube channels, but the numbers have been increasing. The significant increase in subscribers for the ContinuingCOG channel since November 9, 2017 is encouraging.
This form of media is helping us fulfill Matthew 28:19-20, as well as Matthew 24:14.
As far as Matthew 28:19-20 goes, we have reached people in over 200 countries and territories via YouTube, and as the following shows, in English, we have taught ALL THINGS that Jesus directly commanded in the New Testament:
MATTHEW Here are links to twelve sermons covering the 28 chapters of Matthew: Matthew 1-2: Greek or Aramaic, Jesus, and the Star?, Matthew 3-5: John the Baptist, Temptations, and the Beatitudes, Matthew 6-7: Charitable Deeds, the Rosary, Prayer, the Golden Rule, and Faith, Matthew 8-10: Married Clergy, Faith, Coming Persecution, and the Ecumenical Agenda, Matthew 11-12: John the Elijah, Sodom, Unpardonable Sin, & 3 Days and 3 Nights, -14: Parables, Mustard Seeds, Birthdays, and Faith, Matthew 15-16: Tradition, Signs of the Times, and The Rock & Peter, Matthew 17-18: Transfiguration, Elijah to Come, Taxes, and Forgiveness, Matthew 19-20: Transgender? Divorce? Purgatory? The first shall be last?, Matthew 21-23: ‘Palm Sunday,’ Come as You Are?, and the Greatest Commandments, Matthew 24: Temple Destruction, Sorrows, Tribulation, and the Return of Jesus, and Matthew 25-28: Midnight Cry, False Christians, Resurrection, & Teaching what Jesus Taught.
MARK Here is a link to a sermon covering all of Jesus’ words in the Gospel of Mark: What did Jesus teach in the Book of Mark? Here is a link to six sermons covering all the verses in the Gospel of Mark: Mark 1-2: Author, Prophecy, & Miracles, Mark 3-5: Healing, Demons, and Parables, Mark 6-9: Tradition, John’s beheading, Elijah, and Restoration, Mark 10-12: Marriage, Divorce, Needle Eye, Greatest Command, & Taxes, Mark 13: Temple, Four Horsemen, Troubles, Great Tribulation, and Gospel Proclamation, and Mark 14-16: Jesus’ Priorities & Betrayal, the Resurrection, Signs, and Reaching the World.
LUKE Here are links to eight sermons covering the entire ‘Gospel of Luke’: Luke 1-2: John the Baptist, Mary, and the Census, Luke 3-6: John the Baptist, Jesus’ genealogy, Satan’s Influence, and the Sermon on the Mount, Luke 7-9: Miracles, Purpose of Parables, Kingdom of God, and Women Supporting the Ministry, Luke 10-11: The 70, Doing the Work, the Good Samaritan, Prayer, and Signs, Luke 12-13: Priorities, Delayed Fruit Bearing, Little Flock, Prophecy, and the Narrow Way, Luke 14-16: The Lost Sheep, the Prodigal Son, the Rich Man and Lazarus, Luke 17-20: Faith, the Kingdom, Gathering, Prayer, & Rewards, and Luke 21-22: Giving, Sorrows, Persecution, Tribulation, Fig Tree, and Violence. The last sermon also covers Jesus’ words in the Book of Acts.
JOHN Here are links to a seven-part sermon series covering the entire ‘Gospel of John’: John 1-3: Anti-unitarian, Wine, Being Born Again, & Heaven, John 4-6: Jesus and the Samaritan Woman, Miracles and the Bread of Life, John 10-12: Sheep, Hirelings, Lazarus/Soul Sleep and ‘Palm Day’, John 13-15: Footwashing and the Words of Jesus, John 16-18: Truth, Trinity, and Pontius Pilate, and John 19-21: Do not only try, do what God wants.
REVELATION This is a link to a sermon covering words Jesus spoke as recorded in the Book of Revelation and in first and second Corinthians: Revelation: Jesus’ Final Words.
We are also working to fulfill Matthew 28:19-20 in more languages as well.
Serbia Hymnal
As mentioned a couple of weeks ago, we now have our Bible Hymnal available in the Serbian language.
Here is a link: http://ccog.eu/bible-hymnal-serbian-language/
We also ordered copies to be shipped to our Elder Aleksandar Veljic in Serbia.
Well, after they arrived in Serbia, they were stopped from getting delivered for bureaucratic reasons, so we have been working on trying to resolve this. Then there were technical problems. But we are still working on this.
This brought to mind something that the Apostles declared:
“We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.” (Acts 14:22)
While this is not ‘tribulation’ it has been a frustrating delay that we did not expect to encounter.
Africa Report
Evans Ochieng Kisiengo
Evangelist Evans Ochieng sent in the following report:
Pastor Dr Bob,
Greetings from Kenya.I thank God for the great and wonderful work He has done in Africa through the hands of Dr Bob and pastors of Continuing Church of God, Deacons, our representatives in all African countries and our brother Bill Weekend who done wonders in support of the laptops that has made the work easy for translations of books and magazines into different languages in Africa. I also thank Alexander Veljic who took his time to come and preach the gospel in Kenya that added more Faith amongst the brethren in Kenya.God has promote the gospel in African countries by using above mentioned departments to move the gospel in most of the African countries like Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Ghana, Ethiopia, Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia and Drc Congo. We have received many calls from Togo and Nigeria.MAGAZINESI want to thank Dr Bob and Continuing Church of God in a special way for the hard work in producing magazines, books, weekly updates, websites and financial support which have promoted the work in Africa countries. So many are visiting the Continuing Church of God website. And through website many have learnt the truth about the gospel. The church is producing magazines in Chechewa. This is a national language in Malawi, Mozambique, and Zambia. English which is a national language in Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi, Uganda, Zambia and Ghana.Swahili which is a national language in Kenya and Tanzania. Luo and Ekigusii which are tribal languages in Kenya and Tanzania. We have started translation in Kalenjins language. That tribe is in Kenya.CONGREGATIONSGod has done wonders with the hands of the above mentioned departments to move the gospel in African countries. Now we have 27 congregations Kenya, 10 congregations in Malawi and Mozambique. 3 congregations in Tanzania. 1 congregation in Zambia, 1 congregation in Ethiopia, in Ghana, Two families in Uganda and some families in Congo.MEMBERSSo many people have been called in God’s family from church of God sects. And some from Pentecostal churches, Catholics and some are heathen whom haven’t been in any denomination. Since the Contnuing church of God laid the foundation in Africa, I have baptized 360 members. Dr Bob baptized one member in Nairobi during the first conference in Nairobi. Bathlomew Otieno has already baptized 54 members. Continuing Church of God now has 3021 members in Africa excluding our members from Ghana where we don’t have exact figure because of some problems in Ghana.HALLSSince most of the congregations in Africa are having many members that cannot fit in a members house and since most of African countries are third world countries that cannot manage hire hall where they can meet on Sabbath services, the Continuing Church of God has made steps in building halls in Africa to help brethren on Sabbath services. We have built 17 halls in Kenya to help brethren on Sabbath services. 1 in Ethiopia, feast site in Tanzania, 1 hall in Malawi and made repairs in Mozambique.We have added also some rooms at the feast site in Ndhiwa.LAPTOPSI want thank our brother Bill Wedekend who has done wonders in donations of the laptops that has made steps in Africa to help the work of translations of books and magazines into different languages in African countries. And also to help in education system and to eradicate computers illiterate among the brethren. I thank our brethren Steve, Herb and Gilbert who have also given support in different ways. I have been praying for our brother Gilbert for his quick healing.DISASTERS AND FAMINEIt has been a greater problem in African countries for last years up into this year in both the physical and agricultural sector. Army worms and drought caused bigger problems in African countries for last years up into this year that has resulted in to greater famine. Dr Bob and Continuing Church of God sent much support in Africa countries to help in famine. I thank him for the great support you gave our brethren in Malawi and Mozambique. Also many times we have been given our brethren in Rift valley and Nyakach in Kenya support. This year there is disasters in Rift valley that needs support. Next week I will have a trip in Rift valley where I am going to visit many congregations in Rift valley.SUPPORTThe successful work in Africa countries has been made by the magazines, financial support and websites to fulfill Mathew 28:19, Mark 16:15 (Mark 16:16-Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned).MIRACLES AND HEALINGMark 16:20-Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it.God is still confirming the gospel by miracles and healing up to these days.Our brother Charles Osutwa who has been sick for many years and has gone to all the hospitals and has tried many herbal to cure his leg which have been a greater problem in his life for last six years decided after failing in all these to call me and deacon Barthlomew Otieno for a special prayer for him to be healed by God. We went with Barthlomew and pray for him that God give him quick healing. Surprisingly after a short period I received a phone call from Charles Osutwa from Mbani that he was healed by God. He called me when he was happy and laughing loudly that he was healed by God. Last Sabbath he called many brethren including myself that we should go to Mbani because he wanted to thank God for quick healing and miracles that he didn’t expect. Because he had already lost hope after going to bigger hospitals and tried many herbals and there was no change. He new the only option is that he is going to die soon. So Charles was very happy to get that he was healed by God. He is a teacher by profession and he couldn’t attend school duties because of serious pain.Not only that, when Alexander Velkic was in Kenya, there was no rain in Kenya and cattle and all animals were dying because there was no rain. When we arrived in Narok town, Alexander Velgic prayed for the rain and after 40 minutes the rain started. It was a wonderful miracles that forced us to kneel down and thanked the Almighty God.Apart from that when I was in Kisii, Eberege, a boy who had disappeared from his parents and he couldn’t be found for almost 8 months ago. The parents approached me and ask me to pray for him so that God can give him way back to his parents. We prayed and told them to be patient. After 2 days the boy was back home. So GOD is still confirming the gospel by miracles and healing.ORDINATIONSGOD has ordained four ministers in Africa. These are Samuel from Ghana, Sawek from Rift valley, Kenya, Kirui William from Rift valley Kenya. Ezekiel Oanda Kisii Kenya . One Evangelist Evans Ochieng from Kenya. Four Deacons namely – Koang Deng from Ethiopia, Nimrod Ondigo from Kenya, Kennedy Odhiambo from Oyugis Kenya and Granton Otieno from Migori Kenya. Two deaconess namely -Rosemarry Akinyi Ochieng from Kenya and Irine from Nyakach in Kenya.PROGRAMMESI am planning to visit Rift valley next week and to visit many congregations in Rift valley. Last Sabbath I sent Granton Otieno from Migori to take money for iron sheets to our new congregation of Gribe. We want to help them to build a hall where they can meet on Sabbath services. We also have plan to buy egg hatchery for Eberege Kisii congregation to help them in their project and management.Evans.
Much is going on in Africa. Most of the ordinations that he listed occurred last year. Jesus said to:
38 Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest. (Matthew 9:38)
We asked you all to pray for more laborers throughout the years (the first time was in one of our first weekly Letters to the Brethren–see Letter: January 25, 2013). And we have more laborers and have had more growth.
Actually, the Continuing Church of God has been the fastest growing COG group of all in the 21st century.
Although some criticize this growth, notice something that God inspired Luke to record:
27 Now when they had come and gathered the church together, they reported all that God had done with them, and that He had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles (Acts 14:27).
Thus, the Bible is quite clear that the open door is the door to proclaim the Gospel–and that Gentiles were an important group to be reached.
God is still bringing in more Gentiles.
World News Items
We continue to see more frustration in Europe about the USA. The G7 summit was just one more step (see G7: Six nations worried about Trump’s USA: a setup for WWIII? and DW: Donald Trump, withdrawer-in-chief, strikes again, turns G7 into G6). Europe is getting more determined to separate from the USA.
As far as separations go, the USA is becoming more and more divided as media comments about the North Korean summit have shown (see In the dis-United States, media differ on North Korea summit). That, also, does not bode well for the USA (cf.Matthew 12:25).
Suggested Sabbath Service
Here is a suggested Sabbath service for this week:
- 2-3 hymns (our songbook, The Bible Hymnal, contains the materials from the 1974 Bible Hymnal from the old WCG with new covers, plus ten additional hymns; there is also some Choral Accompaniment online).
- Opening prayer.
- Sermonette, which for most who receive this letter via email will be a recorded one. The one suggested for this week is: Will Islam be Pushed Out of Europe? Other sermonettes are available at the Bible News Prophecy channel.
- Announcements (if any; though for many it will be this letter) and one hymn.
- Sermon, which for most who receive this letter via email will be a recorded one. The one suggested for this week is: Mormon vs. Church of God Teachings. Other sermons are also available at the ContinuingCOG channel.
- Final hymn.
- Closing prayer.
Note: If you have a slow internet connection, you can watch these by starting the video, then below it (and towards the right) look for an outline of a gear–if you click on that, it will allow the YouTube video to be played with lower video quality, but at least it will not stop often–you can select a quality as low as 144p. If your internet connection is still too slow (as my home one is) and/or you prefer audio messages to audio-visuals ones, go to the YouTube link for the message, click on SHOW MORE related to the description. You will then see something that says, “Download MP3.” Below that is a link to an MP3 file. Most computers (and even some cellular telephones) will allow MP3 files to be downloaded and played. This is an option we have made available (but we are also looking into ways to improve that as well)–and, of course, we have written article options. Some people have found that if their internet connections are not fast enough, that they can simply listen to the messages that are found at the Bible News Prophecy online radio channel.
IN CASE YOU DO NOT RECEIVE A ‘LETTER TO THE BRETHREN’ FOR ANY WEEK, REMEMBER THAT THERE ARE MANY SERMON MESSAGES ON THE ContinuingCOG channel AND MANY SERMONETTE MESSAGES ON THE Bible News Prophecy channel. There are also some messages at the CCOGAfrica channel.
Concluding Comments
Consider the following from the prophet Joel:
12 “Now, therefore,” says the Lord,
“Turn to Me with all your heart,
With fasting, with weeping, and with mourning.”
13 So rend your heart, and not your garments;
Return to the Lord your God,
For He is gracious and merciful,
Slow to anger, and of great kindness;
And He relents from doing harm. (Joel 2:12-13)
Consider also that in the end time, Jesus said that the bulk of Christians will be lukewarm and need to repent (cf. Revelation 3:14-19).
Brethren, make sure that you regularly turn to God with all your heart.
Sincerely,
Bob Thiel
Pastor and Overseer