The Church’s That God Built.

“But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.” 1 Corinthians 12:18

I know that this article will not set well with some who read it; however it is absolutely truth and cannot be denied. There is no doubt in the scriptures that this scripture is talking about the local New Testament Church. We see in out text scripture that “…God set the members, every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him…” not as it pleased the pastor or other membership but as it pleased God. We must always have an understanding when studding the Holy Script that God is in control, God is accomplishing His blessed will, and that God knows best and has the power to control every detail of everything. Here we see that it was God who assembled the church together and with the membership pleasing to Him. I saw one commentary that said this refers to the human body but I believe a man that was as blessed by God with the knowledge he had that he should have known better. In our fleshly minds some folks just cannot accept the very fact that God does everything according to His blessed ordained will. He saves the sinner and He builds the churches. In Jeremiah 23:3 – 4 we read this "And I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all countries whither I have driven them, and will bring them again to their folds; and they shall be fruitful and increase. (4.) And I will set up shepherds over them which shall feed them: and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, neither shall they be lacking, saith the LORD." Notice how the scriptures conclude that God did everything not man. Man wants to take the credit for Gods work but if one is true to the scriptures then we must all admit that God builds the churches. Jesus started the first church when He called out a remnant of people that followed Him as He called. Notice in Matthew 4:18 - 20 "And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. (19.) And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. (20.) And they straightway left their nets, and followed him." The word “straightway” means – immediately – that is because they had been called of God and they obeyed. But who were these two men? They were Apostles, the first members of the Lord church. “And God hath set some in the church, first apostles...” 1 Corinthians 12:28 Once the Lord Jesus came to the end of His calling out the remnant then they went up into the mountain and held the first church service every member being chosen and called out by Jesus Christ. This church settled in Jerusalem until scattered by Saul of Tarsus (Paul) where many other church started as a result. Each church is an independent, sovereign, body of called out members. Anyone who has spent any time studding the history of the church will see this fact. Any serious person who studies the Holy Script knows nothing was started in Acts chapter two. But people continue to believe that there is some universal church out there that has no resemblance to the church that Jesus started and God built. People simply want to take the glory away from God with this universal, man made salvation and churches. I declare that it is nothing but pride in man heart, how could they get glory for something God did, if God saves sinners and God builds the churches then what glory is man to get? NONE! I can take absolutely no credit for anything in this church, all credit belongs to God. Now some men (in fact most men) will say that God done it but in the same breath brag on themselves. We know that the membership was God selected, we also know the pastor was God selected, and so were the missionaries. Acts 13:2 “As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.” This is not only to this one church but every church. While men want to take credit for saving souls and building churches they would be better to study God word and see for themselves that God has never put this work into the hands of man and He never will. GOD BUILDS THE CHURCHES!

God Will Never Forsake His Elect.

“For the LORD loveth judgment, and forsaketh not his saints; they are preserved for ever: but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off.” Psalms 37:28

If you are a child of God, then you are indeed most blessed. Blessed because you belong to the most High and Powerful God, you are Gods property. You have been elected, and bought with the price of all prices, the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. You are not only elected but also preserved, preserved in every detail of your life until the predetermined date of your demise. If you are a servant of the Lord in one of His churches you are preserved by God and no one can change what God has set forth for you to do. As I look back over my life I can see several times when I should have expired but I did not, coincidence, I think not, lucky, there is no such thing, no none of these things, it was God determined hand. God had predetermined my life before this world had ever come into existence. “Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world.” Acts 15:18 there is no chance, no luck, nothing just happens, no nothing because God has chosen every detail of everything that happens. We know that the powers that be are ordained by God. “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.” Romans 13:1 this is why we are to be subject to them. God is in control, and no one, no other power that be can change what God has ordained. This is why Christians do not need to fret about the world and its system. I will not fight abortion because if God wanted it stopped He would stop it; this is just like gay marriage if it is to be then no one can stop it. God will allow these things and then judge those that support them. It seems like the world system just keeps having victory after victory but in the long run they will lose. This is why God told us to depart from it all and not to have part in it. “Depart from evil, and do good; and dwell for evermore.” Psalms 37:27 Christians are not allowed to do as they please, we have no right to support the evil of the world system as though it is good. As Christians we must put our standards higher than that and lead good Christian lives. I see some that call themselves Christians today and wonder what fruits show them to be Gods. To us who are God’s elect, we are His and everything that happens, happens only by His blessed will. I know sometimes life and events in life happens that make us wonder, but believe God when He says “forsaketh not his saints; they are preserved for ever” therefore we are to carry on as though we are right and the world is wrong. While it seems like the world system wins every battle but let us remember those that died horrible deaths for the Lord, His churches, and the truth of His word. Where these bad luck? Was God not watching? And if God was not watching or if God could not do anything about it then how is it He can say “his saints; they are preserved”. God gave the life of his own Son in order that we might be saved, and He gave the lives of millions in this world for many other reasons. But as for me and you, we are also “preserved” of God and nothing will ever happen that God has not ordained. Therefore it is my duty to God to sanctify myself for the Lord Who had sanctified me before the foundation of the world. The world will pay account to Jesus Christ for their sins even if they continue to have victories in this world. The final victory is ours (the children of God) no matter what happens in this life. Even if we suffer jail or even death victory is ours and no one can change that. “But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (58.) Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 15:57 – 58 be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord because no matter if the entire world hates you, God will eternally love and keep you. Thank you Lord for your grace, mercy, love, and preservation of me, AMEN.

Abortion; What Does God Say Of It?

“And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the LORD.” Genesis 4:1

This week in Texas the legislature has passed a bill that puts greater limits on abortion and the Texas Governor has promise to quickly sign it into law. I still believe in the bible, not the new modern bibles that have been watered down but the old one, the King James Bible. I still believe in what God teaches and God teaches that abortion is murder. God has not changed His thinking on this subject and any woman who has an abortion is in violation of Gods law, no matter what the world thinks of it. Any Christian who supports the murder of the unborn child is also in violation of Gods law and God will deal with them accordingly. God never approved of man to kill the unborn and never will. I don’t fight abortion or anything else because I believe in a Sovereign God who always has His blessed will accomplished and He doesn’t need me fighting to change what sinful man is determined to do, however when people like those in Texas fights the good fight and get a victory then I praise God and those that worked to get it accomplished. People that do these sinful deeds will face the Lord Jesus Christ in judgment for them. I am always amazed at how unreasonable and filthy people can be in the attempt to have the right to murder the unborn child. As I read about the actions of the abortionist rights people in the media’s reporting and the things they will do to keep this right I have to wonder who these ungodly people in our society are. Does anyone care what God thinks? Does anyone care about human life? It seems that people care more about disobeying God than to obey Him, but that is human nature isn’t it. People want to compare abortion to capitol punishment, but there is no comparison. God said of murderers “And if any mischief follow, then thou shalt give life for life," Exodus 21:23 and Jesus said “Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword." Matthew 26:52 so to compare abortion or the murder of the unborn to one who has destroyed another life is unfair and unscriptural. However God did say about abortion in Exodus 21:22 "If men strive, and hurt a woman with child, so that her fruit depart from her, and yet no mischief follow: he shall be surely punished…” Children or as some call them fetuses (fetus sounds better than child in the abortion clinic I guess) are Gods gift to mankind, they are to be protected as much as any other human. In our text scripture notice two words “conceived” and “bare” the word “conceived” means - to be (or become) pregnant – and the word “bare” means – to be delivered – and when the child was born Adam said “I have gotten a man from the LORD.” That is because all children are a gift from God and should be protected from the abortionist. Also we look at Luke 1:41 “And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost:” when the Lord calls it a baby and not a fetus. Abortion is not an unforgivable sin but it is a sin and sin is a violation of Gods laws. God forgives sin and if a woman has had an abortion then God will certainly forgive her through the blood of Christ, but Christians should not be a part of mans sins. It is a disgrace to see people who care more about animals than they do about the children in the womb. These same people will fight to save a tree and fight to kill the unborn. We in America do these things, and have this sort of logic and wonder why disasters hit America. We ask God for blessings and than ask abortionist to kill the unborn child. So to the State of Texas and others who have bravely stood against the heathen; I would like to say thank you for saving the unborn children from the murders who want to kill them for a little money and self glory.

Chosen!

Ephesians 1:3 - 4 "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: (4.) According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:"

Oh! What a true blessing it is to be a child of the living God. What a blessing it is to have been so loved of God that He sent His only beloved Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to die for my sins. What a blessing it is to be chosen of God to be His very own child. There are so many things that I and those like me have to truly thank God for that we will never complete that task. I stand this day in a world of hatred and sinfulness thanking God that I am different. Paul said that God hath blessed us; and indeed my dear brother in Christ was so right. Blessed because before the foundation of the world God hath chosen me and millions of others like me to be His children. “…According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world…” before the world was ever created God elected a remnant or the worlds population to be set aside (sanctified) for His own glory and purpose. We may not be loved of the world but we are loved of God and Jesus the Christ and that counts more than the entire love of the world. Famous people here are loved of the world, but it is only a short time and then that love fades away; but the love of God is an eternal love one that will never ever fade a way. People want to mock the doctrine of the election of God as something evil or problematic but to me it is the greatest blessing that God gave to mankind. They say this election is talking about Israel and not Gentiles, well if this is true then only the Israelites will be saved; only they will enjoy the benefits of salvation in eternity. But I differ with that thinking because I know it is talking about the different nations of the world because God said so in John 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Not that He loved everyone in the world because He did not, but that He loved different nations of people in the world. Peter promised “Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:” Acts 10:34 and Peter went on to say in verse 35 “But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.” Therefore it is impossible that God has only elected the Israelites. I think maybe instead of looking to condemn the doctrine of election I would be more interested in finding out if I am one of God chosen because if you are not you will one day find yourself in the lake of eternal fire and brimstone. The only way to know for sure is what is in your heart, if Jesus is there then you are one of Gods chosen, and if He is not it is time to seek Him because He promised He would be found by those who seek Him. Acts 17:27 “That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us:”