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The Ozark Letter – March 2009
By MMCG.ORG | March 1, 2009
Download Newsletter PDF Click HERE.
MARCH GREETINGS: And He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father
has put in His own authority.” Acts 1:7-8 (NKJV)
A Publication of the Mid-Missouri Church of God
MARCH, 2009
Volume XIII, Issue 3
The Ozark Newsletter
Lake of the Ozarks
2009 Holy Day Calendar
April 8 – Passover
April 8 – Night to be much remembered
April 9-15 – Days of Unleavened Bread
May 31 – Pentecost
Sept 19 – Feast of Trumpets
Sept 28 – Day of Atonement
Oct 3-9 – Feast of Tabernacles
Oct 10 – Eighth Day
‘Signs of spring’ – the birds singing early in the morning and the turtle doves in the evening, hyacinth popping through the
leaves — yes, we will probably have more bad weather, but surely spring is not too far away and I , for one, am looking for-
ward to it. Don’t forget to set your clocks ahead (spring forward) on Sunday, March 8. Don’t forget to stretch those mus-
cles that have been idle during the winter, before you start raking those leaves, planting flowers, planting garden, etc.
The Mid-Missouri Church of God Holy Day Calendar is posted at the beginning of this newsletter. The Last Day of
Unleavened Bread, which is Wednesday, April 15, Ray Wooten will be guest speaker. Services will begin at 11:30am fol-
lowed by a potluck meal. Come join us in welcoming Ray and Peggy Wooten. You can check our website (shown at the
bottom of this newsletter) for directions.
United Christian Ministries does plan to have a Feast site in the Lake area this year and more information will be in the
April newsletter.
Most of this month’s newsletter comes from a letter written by Leon Sexton. All of it is pertinent, but read the last two
paragraphs and be thankful that we can meet anywhere, anytime, and not be afraid of government interference. We are such
an affluent society, that we sometimes forget that the whole world does not share our freedoms. Let’s celebrate that free-
dom, pray for all our leaders and our nation, and for each other. Csh******
As I watch the news on TV and read reports in magazines and newspapers, I have a strange feeling come over me. It is as if
I am watching world events unfold according to a planned script. Now I know that the script was written by the prophets of
God thousands of years ago, but that knowledge doesn’t change the uncanny feeling I get! If you and I are permitted to live
up until the day Jesus returns, we will be witnesses to those prophecies.
Do any of us really know how close we are to the end? Not really, even if we think we are experts in numerology. Jesus
said we would now know exactly when the End of the Age would come.
And He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own author-
ity.” (Acts 1:7-8 NKJV)
But Jesus also said that, while we cannot know the exact timing of the End, we should know that the time is drawing close.
When it is evening you say’ “It will be fair weather, for the sky is red;” and in the morning ‘It will be foul weather
today, for the sky is red and threatening.” Hypocrites! You know how to discern the fact of the sky, but you cannot
discern the signs of the times. (Matt 16:2-4 NKJV)
God gave us the writings of the prophets and apostles – even the words of Jesus Himself – so that we would be able to dis-
cern the signs of the times.
But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. For you, your-
selves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. For when they say, “Peace and
safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not es-
cape. But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. You are all sons of
light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us
watch and be sober. (1 Thess 5:1-5 NKJV)
These terrible times soon to unfold on the world will come as a thief in the night. This is not talking about the way a thief
sneaks into your house at night, but rather it is talking about the world’s lack of preparation for these events.
But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched
and not allowed his house to be broken into. Therefore, you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour
you do not expect.” (Matt 24:43-44 NKJV)
With a new president assuming power in the US, many people are hopeful for positive change. The problem is that the Bi-
ble talks about things getting steadily worse until the Day of God’s intervention in world affairs. If He does not intervene –
all of humanity will die.
…. then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor
ever shall be. And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved….Matt 24:21-22 NKJV)
Things are not going to get better – they are going to get worse. There may be calm before the storm, but the Bible tells us
not to be fooled by such calm. I repeat:
For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant
woman. And they shall not escape.” (1 Thess 5:3-4)
People are looking for a savior to save them from the problems they now face around the world. Many Americans hope that
And He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father
has put in His own authority.” Acts 1:7-8 (NKJV)
‘Signs of spring’ – the birds singing early in the morning and the turtle doves in the evening, hyacinth popping through the
leaves — yes, we will probably have more bad weather, but surely spring is not too far away and I , for one, am looking for-
ward to it. Don’t forget to set your clocks ahead (spring forward) on Sunday, March 8. Don’t forget to stretch those mus-
cles that have been idle during the winter, before you start raking those leaves, planting flowers, planting garden, etc.
The Mid-Missouri Church of God Holy Day Calendar is posted at the beginning of this newsletter. The Last Day of
Unleavened Bread, which is Wednesday, April 15, Ray Wooten will be guest speaker. Services will begin at 11:30am fol-
lowed by a potluck meal. Come join us in welcoming Ray and Peggy Wooten. You can check our website (shown at the
bottom of this newsletter) for directions.
United Christian Ministries does plan to have a Feast site in the Lake area this year and more information will be in the
April newsletter.
Most of this month’s newsletter comes from a letter written by Leon Sexton. All of it is pertinent, but read the last two
paragraphs and be thankful that we can meet anywhere, anytime, and not be afraid of government interference. We are such
an affluent society, that we sometimes forget that the whole world does not share our freedoms. Let’s celebrate that free-
dom, pray for all our leaders and our nation, and for each other. Csh******
President Obama will be able to save the nation from its financial woes and restore prosperity. What the people of the
world do not understand is that no human savior can save them from their problems no matter how promising or even Christ
-like he may appear. There is only One Savior who can save us. He has promised to return and He WILL save us; but He
is GOD and not a human being.
And Jesus answered and said to them: “Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, say-
ing,’ I am the Christ’, and will deceive many.” (Matt 24:4-6 NKJV)
Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or “There!’ do not believe it. For false Christ and false
prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. See, I have told you be-
forehand.” (Matt 24:23-25 NKJV)
Jesus words, “See I have told you beforehand” provide encouragement for us while we face what is coming. God merci-
fully does not leave us in the dark, but tells us IN ADVANCE what is coming so that we will not be caught off guard.
So HOW do we prepare for what is coming?
During the times that are to come, our only refuge is God. He is the only one who will save us. We will not be able to save
ourselves. And would-be human saviors will only deceive us.
Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever de-
sires to save his life will lose, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it.: (Mark 8:34-36
NKJV)
This does not mean you should just run out and get shot. It is talking about where you heart is. During the dark times to
come, will we have our hearts in saving our own skins? Or will our hearts be completely dedicated to trusting God and con-
tinuing to PREACH THE GOSPEL all during the dark times – and if necessary, right up until the very day Our Lord’s feet
touch down on the Mount of Olives?
Will some of us lose our lives in the persecution of the Saints to come: Yes, some of us will. But many will be protected
and sustained by God through the tribulation at the End of the Age up until our change comes. There is no way of knowing
which of us will fall into which category. Jesus said that we all must be prepared to follow Him wherever He goes, includ-
ing even death if necessary for the sake of the Gospel.
Then I looked, and behold, a Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with Him one hundred and forty-four thousand,
having His Father’s name written on their foreheads. And I heard a voice from heaven, like the voice of many wa-
ters, and like the voice of loud thunder. And I heard the sound of harpists playing their harps. They sang as it were
a new song before the throne, before the four living creatures, and the elders; and no one could learn that song ex-
cept the hundred and forty-four thousand who were redeemed from the earth. These are the ones who were not de-
filed with women, for they are virgins. Theses are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. These were
redeemed from among men, being firstfruits to God and to the Lamb. And in their mouth was found no deceit, for
they are without fault before the throne of God. (Rev 14:1-5 NKJV)
This financial crisis in which we find ourselves is only the opening chapter in what is coming on the Earth. I see the news
and it is scary! We can do some things to prepare physically, but the most important preparation must be in the realm of the
Spirit. More than ever before all of us should draw closer to God. We should all be making more effort to cleanse our-
selves from unrighteousness and the corruption of this world that is about to end.
And I heard another voice from heaven saying, “Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you
receive of her plagues. For her sins have reached to heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities.” (Rev 18:4-6
NKJV)
We should renew our efforts to preach the True Gospel to those not yet reached in this dying world. This is the job God has
given us to do. He expects us to continue to do the job – no matter how long it takes and no matter when Jesus returns.
And the Lord said, “Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his master will make ruler over this house-
hold, to give them their portion of food in due season? Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing
when he comes. Truly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all that he has. But if that servant says in his
heart, ‘ My master is delaying his coming,’ and begins to beat the male and female servants, and to eat and drink
and be drunk, the master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him, and at an hour when he
is not aware.” (Luke 12:42-46 NKJV)
The clock keeps ticking. I cannot understand those who believe we have at least 20 or more years to go! I cannot even
imagine it lasting that long. I am only 58 years old, but my recent close encounter with death has made me look at my mor-
tality like never before. All of us are only a single breath away from death. It is God’s faithfulness and ONLY His faithful-
ness that sustains us. As God’s people, let us use whatever time He gives us and the resources He provides in a rededicated
effort to do our job and finish His work. There is a time coming, sooner than we may think, when we will not be able to
work.
I just received information the Myanmar (Burma) government will no longer permit people to gather in homes or apart-
ments for worship services: and the building of new church buildings will only be permitted by government approval. This
adversely affects almost all of our brethren in Myanmar.
We have no time to waste. Dark clouds are massing over us here in Southeast Asia. Please pray for our brothers and sisters
in Myanmar. Pray God protects them and provides wise congregational leadership to see them through the dark times
ahead.
MID-MISSOURI CHURCH OF GOD
PO Box 92, Eldon, MO 65026/mailing address. Actual physical address is: 602 East North Street. Phone: 573-392-1232 or
573-498-3775; Email: info@mmcg.org Website: www.mmcg.org The Mid-Missouri Church of God (MMCG) holds
Christian Sabbath services each Saturday at 11:30 a.m. at 602 East North Street, Eldon, MO… A Bible Study and song ser-
vice is scheduled at 10:30am before Sabbath services. Potluck meals after services are planned for the fourth Sabbath of
each month. A weekly Bible study is held each Thursday at 6:30pm. It is best to call ahead and confirm times if you are
traveling any distance to visit us (see the phone numbers above). Occasionally we will cancel local services to attend en
masse elsewhere. Come and enjoy the fellowship! Also, the first Wednesday of each month the ladies meet for a “get to-
gether” and you can contact Martha Roberts at 573-496-3203 or Charleen Gitthens at 573-392-5965 for location and time if
you plan to attend. You can also check the events calendar on the website.
A S O U L S H
D C E F G H E
J A K S L O A
O R P A H W R
S E R V A N T
U V W I P Y Z
G O D O P E F
P S I R Y T G
Mary praised God with a beautiful song
when she found out she was going to
have a special baby. Try to find and cir-
cle each underlined word from Mary’s
song.
“My soul praises the Lord; my heart is
happy because God is my Savior. I am
not important, but God has shown his
care for me, his servant girl.”
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