Elders Letter:
James Russell, Elder
Dear Brethren and Co-workers;
As the recent Feast of Tabernacles so effectively reminded us, of our ultimate future is indeed bright and full
of the glorious hope of eternal salvation! Its comforting and encouraging to know that God has promised His
people deliverance and eternal life in happiness, and that He will not fail to bring to pass all that He has
promised.
God’s called having their hearts in His Work, and see the vision of following Jesus, the Christ command to share
His truth and good news of His soon coming Kingdom with others is truly a blessing! We must never forget God
has called His church to preach the gospel of the Kingdom of God, the government of God! That gospel is
described throughout the Bible, God’s inspired Word!
Through sharing the “Prove All Things” publication, our goal is to encourage you to "Study to show your self
approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth" ( II Tim. 2:
15). God tells us we are sanctified (set apart) by truth. "Sanctify them through Thy truth: Thy word is truth" (John
17: 17).
God's truth reveals what sin is. "Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression
of the law" (I John 3:4). Throughout God's Word we are shown what our priorities should be when seeking the
truth about the Sabbath, tithing, offerings, prayer, fasting, clean and unclean foods, character building, God's
Holy Day calendar issues, and world news, etc. etc.! All these topics have been addressed in the “Prove All
Things” in an effort to serve God's called people who seek truth. We are reminded by Paul to "Prove All things;
hold fast that which is good" (I Thess. 5:21).
The Apostle Paul gave special attention to Timothy's skill in communicating God's truth. Paul knew that one day
Timothy would assume his mantle of responsibility. Paul told Timothy in the days of apostasy "Be strong" and
don't be discouraged. "Thou therefore, my son be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things that
thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach
other also. Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that wars entangled himself
with the affairs of this life; that he may please Him who hath chosen him to be a soldier. And if a man also strive
for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully. The husbandman that labors must be first partaker
of the fruit. Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things" (II Tim. 2: 1-7). Paul is
teaching Timothy through metaphors as he reminds him that the trials and tests of the ministers and disciples
should be appealed to God.
Paul's experience as a minister and teacher understood the challenge of responsibility, knowing, "Whatsoever
thy hand finds to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the
grave, whither you go" (Ecc. 9:10). We read in the epistle of Luke that Christ pointed out to some of the disciples
what their priority should be. "And He said unto another, Follow Me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and
bury my father. Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God.
And another also said, Lord, I will follow Thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my
house. And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the
kingdom of God” (Luke 9:59-62). Those who "look back" are not concentrating on the task at hand. When the
time of testing came to the twelve they all forsook Christ and fled. "But all this was done, that the scriptures of
the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook Him, and fled" (Matt. 26:56). Absolute and
undivided devotion is essential to true discipleship. Those who would plow a straight furrow having their
priorities straight in service for God must give the task whole hearted, un-interrupted attention.
The Church of God, In Truth-- responsible for it's members, Internet Web page and the “Prove All Things”
magazine, feel the compassion that Christ expressed in Matthew 9. "But when He saw the multitudes, He was
moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.
Then saith He unto His disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the laborers are few; Pray ye therefore the
Lord of the harvest, that He will send forth laborers into His harvest" (Matt. 9:36-38).
CHURCH OF GOD, IN TRUTH
P.O. Box 1120 Kimberling City; MO 65686
Tel: 417- 338- 0033 E-mail: cogit@flash.net
James Russell, Elder Tel: 417-338-0033 E-mail: cogit@flash.net
Pete Fleming, Elder Tel: 803-885-5502 E-mail: pmf06@gvte.com
Spanish
Martin Martinez, Deacon Tel: 787-786-5856 E-mail: mmartinez@ucint.com
Phillippines
Romeo Samudio, Rep Tel: 033-333-3148 E-mail: romesamudio@yahoo.com