January, 2008

Fred R. Coulter

Minister

January 11, 2008

Dear Brethren,

Because of the holidays, we had a slight delay in beginning the printing of the Bible. In addition, because of Chinese law to stop "knock off," which are illegal CD copies of music and reproduction of books, we had to furnish proof of copyright and ISBN numbers. We faxed off the required documents on Monday January 7. This means that the presses will be rolling on January 8, 2008. Once they begin printing, then every thing will move very quickly. They should complete the Bibles within 14 days. We are hoping to receive the initial copies via air express by January 24 or 26. This means that we can begin mailing your copy/copies by the middle of February.

In November, we had meeting in Arcadia, California on November, 11, 2007. We had over 60 in attendance. Since Arcadia is only a 5 hour drive from Hollister, it is possible for me to go there every other month. This means that I will travel to different locations every month until June. Next, I traveled to Scottsdale for Sabbath December 15, 2007. We meet at the Chaparral Suites Inn, with over 60 brethren attending. Since many of us are scattered, it is always a joy to be with the brethren on these special occasions.

This week I will again travel to Arcadia for Sabbath January 12. Then In February, we will travel to Texas and stay with Chad and Rachelle, Jeremy and will see our new grandson Zachery--now weighing in at over 7 lbs. Then we will have Sabbath services in Waco, Texas on February 9 and a special meeting in Houston, Texas of February 10. I have yet to work out the schedule for March, April and May, but should have those trips all arranged shortly.

Later this month, we will be mailing out your annual receipt for your tithes and offerings. We also realize that in spite of inflation, everyone is doing the best they can in their tithes and offerings. As I have mention many times, with the uncertainties of the future economy and the dollar, all of us should be striving to reduce our debt as much as possible, rather then accumulating additional debt. In addition we need to be managing our financial affairs with wisdom.

We always run the church finances on a sound basis. We have no debts. We purchase every thing--cash. We also, retain a sufficient cash reserve in addition to our monthly expenses. All the funds God inspires to be sent to CBCG is used to serve the brethren. Money, wealth or "filthy lucre" is not the goal. Whatever God provides is to provide for the brethren as much spiritual food as possible, through sermons, Bible studies, booklets, literature and books and now The Holy Bible In Its Original Order. All of these are to provide the spiritual tools and building blocks to grow in grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ Our Lord. The goal is eternal life--not things in this world.

When Jesus appeared third time to the apostles after His resurrection, and in the presence of all the other apostles, He taught the apostle Peter a very personal and powerful lesson about the responsibility of feeding the Flock of God. This is what every minister, elder and those serving the brethren always need to keep in mind: "This was now the third time that Jesus revealed Himself to His disciples after being raised from the dead. Therefore, when they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, `Simon, son of Jonas, do you love Me more than these?' And he said to Him, `Yes, Lord. You know that I love You.' He said to him, `Feed My lambs.' He said to him again a second time, `Simon, son of Jonas, do you love Me? And he said to Him, `Yes, Lord. You know that I love You." He said to him, `Shepherd My sheep.' He said to him the third time, `Simon, son of Jonas, do you love Me?' Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, "Do you love Me?" And he said to Him, `Lord, You know all things. You know that I love You.' Jesus said to him, `Feed My sheep' " (John 21:14-17).

Undoubtedly, the reason that Jesus asked Peter this three times is because on the Passover night Peter denied Jesus three times. However, Peter certainly learned this lesson and made it a part of his ministry. In Peter's first epistle, he wrote a section to the elders about their need to serve the brethren and feed the Flock of God! "The elders who are among you I exhort, even as a fellow elder, and an eyewitness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker of the glory that is about to be revealed: Feed the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight not by compulsion, but willingly; not in fondness of dishonest gain, but with an eager attitude; not as exercising lordship over your possessions; but by being examples to the flock of God. And when the Chief Shepherd is manifested, you shall receive an unfading, eternal crown of glory" (I Pet. 5:1-4). When Peter wrote this, he had in those two profound experiences: one the vision of Jesus transfiguration (Matt. 17:1-9) and the instance as recorded in John 21:14-17).

We have all seen the opposite treatment of the brethren by self-serving ministers who abuse and rob the Flock of God. What a trail of disillusioned brethren, ruined lives with the destruction of the love of God and the brethren they have left behind! God inspired the prophet Ezekiel write this warning to the shepherds who feed themselves and not the Flock of God: "And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD unto the shepherds; Woe be to the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves! should not the shepherds feed the flocks?

"Ye eat the fat, and ye clothe you with the wool, ye kill them that are fed: but ye feed not the flock. The diseased have ye not strengthened, neither have ye healed that which was sick, neither have ye bound up that which was broken, neither have ye brought again that which was driven away, neither have ye sought that which was lost; but with force and with cruelty have ye ruled them. And they were scattered, because there is no shepherd: and they became meat to all the beasts of the field, when they were scattered. My sheep wandered through all the mountains, and upon every high hill: yea, my flock was scattered upon all the face of the earth, and none did search or seek after them.

"Therefore, ye shepherds, hear the word of the LORD; as I live, saith the Lord GOD, surely because my flock became a prey, and my flock became meat to every beast of the field, because there was no shepherd, neither did my shepherds search for my flock, but the shepherds fed themselves, and fed not my flock; therefore, O ye shepherds, hear the word of the LORD: Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against the shepherds; and I will require my flock at their hand, and cause them to cease from feeding the flock; neither shall the shepherds feed themselves any more; for I will deliver my flock from their mouth, that they may not be meat for them" (Ezk. 34:1-10).

Brethren, we all know of other brethren who have fallen victim by being oppressed by such carnal self-serving ministers. In fact, all of us have been through such harsh and oppressive circumstances. All of us need to reach out, as much as possible, to help those brethren recover from such treatment and come to know the love of God and the love of the brethren. They need help in restoring a loving faithful relationship with God the Father and Jesus Christ. That is one of the main missions of the CBCG. This is why all of us together do what we do. The main goal in our Christian lives is to love of God the Father and Jesus Christ with all our hearts, minds, soul and strength. And in the end when Jesus Christ returns in glory and power to receive eternal life!

Brethren, we are sending you a lot of material in this mailing. Some background material I used in recent sermons, Volume Two of the Youth Series in Proverbs, and a third order coupon for those of you who have not yet sent your order for the Bible. Finally, we are enclosing a special study of Galatians 4:8-10 and Colossians 2. These and other difficult-to-understand Scriptures of the apostle Paul will be added to the next printing Of Occult Holidays or God's Holy Days--Which? We will send it off for a second printing at the end of January.

Thank you for your continued love and prayers for all the brethren, for your support through your tithes and offerings. May God's blessings, love and grace be with you in everything.

With love in Christ Jesus,

Fred R. Coulter

FRC

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