Do our actions reflect the way we should live, by being good examples? We are constantly being judged by others and especially God to see if we live a righteous life. At the same time we shouldn’t judge others, but first consider that what we are doing is right.
Michael Link
For We Are Firstfruits
We have a specific calling at this time, a gift from God, and a responsibility that we must uphold so we can make it to the Kingdom, for we are firstfruits.
The Art of Communication
How can we become effective communicators with our fellow man and with God? What are the benefits and disadvantages of communication? There are important keys that can be applied to become successful communicators.
In God We Trust
This world places too much trust in people and physical things. Many times people don’t end up getting what they ask for and what they want. The reason becomes obvious when we consider how they ask, what they ask for and whom they ask. Many forget or don’t even know about the bigger picture and who it is that supplies all desires and who is the source of trust.
Where do so many people put their trust? They trust in riches, in their jobs, in their boss and co-workers, in physical things, or in certain individuals like a doctor or a lawyer; they trust in their religion, friends and family and their mate; or they trust in their political leadership or the opposition.
So where do WE put our trust? Do we put our trust in the same things that the world does? Do we put our trust in what we hear on TV or what we read in the paper, as distinguished from our weekly updates? Do we trust in man like a political leader; for instance, the president? Do we trust in our country? Do we trust in a false god and false religion or a false teaching?
Micah 7:5-7 tells us that we should not even put our ultimate trust in a friend or any human being, including ourselves, and Proverbs 20:19 states that we must be careful with certain people. The Bible also warns those who put their trust in money: “He who trusts in his riches will fall” (Proverbs 11:28).
We should know whom we ought to trust. But do we? Do we really trust God the Father; Jesus Christ; God’s Word, the Bible; and God’s Church—the “pillar and ground of the truth” (1 Timothy 3:15)?
We must never leave God out of the picture. It is through God and because of God that we can have certain trust in selected individuals, but we must be aware that trials will come to test our trust. We also have to be careful that we don’t trust in ourselves, without God in the picture, as it says in Proverbs 28:25-26: “He who is of a proud heart stirs up strife, But he who trusts in the LORD will be prospered. He who trusts in his own heart is a fool, But whoever walks wisely will be delivered.”
Tough times are ahead of us, and as the Church’s annual conference approaches in just a few days, tough decisions may have to be made. We have been admonished by the ministry to pray and even fast for the success of the conference, and that everything will be done and decided with total trust in God. This principle applies to every facet in our individual lives as well.
Proverbs 3:5-6 tells us: “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.” When we trust in Him, He will give us the desires of the heart, as it says in Psalm 37:3-4.
We read about several individuals in the Bible who put their trust in God, like David who went to God many times in prayer to ask for deliverance from his persecutors (compare 2 Samuel 22:3; Psalm 7:1). Job went through some very serious trials and had to trust God that there were reasons for his suffering. Abraham trusted in God when he was to offer his son as a sacrifice. Moses had to trust God when he was commanded to free Israel from Egypt. Even Jesus Christ, when He was on this earth, had to trust in His Father to get through many trials, and also, when He was being tempted by Satan. Christ could have sinned because He was in fact human, but through trust, faith, and the power of His Father’s Holy Spirit in Him was He able to overcome and remain sinless. He did it for us, for our benefit, so we could inherit eternal life.
Trust and faith do go together. We can’t have faith if we don’t have trust, and we must pray with good intentions, as it says in Hebrews 13:18-19: “Pray for us; for we are confident that we have a good conscience, in all things desiring to live honorably. But I especially urge you to do this, that I may be restored to you the sooner.”
The Bible prophesies that times will get more and more tough. We have to stay strong and trust in God and what God promises us. The world is blind and in darkness. They don’t realize what is to come in the near future. If we are ever in doubt about somebody or something, we should always remind ourselves who it is that we can count on at all times, and where we should put our trust. Remember: In God We Trust!!
Common Misconceptions – Part 2
Continuing with the second part on what the world is confused about, when it comes to practices such as homosexuality, divorce, fornication, what happens to us when we die, the trinity, and the concept of tithing. What does the Bible have to say about these topics?
Common Misconceptions – Part 1
There are many controversies and misconceptions the world is confused about when it comes to certain holidays such as Christmas, Easter, New Years, Halloween, and when it comes to commandments such as idol worship, taking God’s name in vain, murder, and also things like voting, jury duty, unclean meats, smoking and tattoos. What does the Bible have to say about such practices?
Physical and Spiritual Change
There is a spiritual change that we experience at the time of our baptism. We also experience another type of change, a physical “change” when we assemble together on a holy day, by giving to God in thanks what is owed to Him.
Power
Simple things that we all have and seem to need are often times taken for granted. One such example is electricity. Most just do not understand what it is. What do we really know about it? We simply turn on the light switch or start any appliance or push a button, and something works. When we wake up in the morning, we may wash ourselves with warm water; go into the kitchen and cook breakfast in a stove; and for those who are environmentalists, unplug our car or perhaps charge it up before we head out.
It is only when there is no electric power available, that we start to consider the importance of it. Without electricity, we would still be burning wood and coal to heat our homes and businesses, and we would still be using oil and candles to light our way in the dark. That is the way it was for many centuries, before electricity was discovered and used. Only since the invention of the electric generator have humans been able to advance in every aspect of modern life. In fact, modern living is defined by electric power.
We might consider Benjamin Franklin. He was a great American inventor and innovator. His electrical experiments formed the basis for other inventions that we still use today, such as batteries, incandescent light bulb, electromagnetic fields, generators and transformers. His experiments became the origin of our “plus” and “minus” nomenclature. The positive and the negative charges helped identify the atmospheric and static electricity.
In a few weeks, the Church of God will celebrate the Feast of Pentecost. It reminds us of the day when God poured out of His Holy Spirit on the New Testament disciples (compare Acts 2:18, 33, 38-41; 1 John 4:13). When we receive God’s Holy Spirit of power (Acts 1:8), something happens to us spiritually. When used properly, it will change our lives for the better. It is an incredible gift from God. It is not to be taken for granted.
In an analogous way, the Holy Spirit, as the manifestation of God’s power, can be compared with the flow of electric power. Electricity flows through conductive wires from its source to the devices using it. Only as long as the flow of the electric current from its source is uninterrupted, have those devices use of its power. So it is essential that there is constant contact with the electric power source.
The same is true of God’s Spirit. We do not have the capacity to permanently store the power of the Holy Spirit for use when we don’t feel like serving God. If we discontinue our relationship with God, we cut ourselves off from the Source of the power working in us. 2 Corinthians 4:16 tells us that our “inward man” needs to be “renewed day by day.” God’s Holy Spirit within us must flow from us toward others–that is, others must be able to recognize the effects of God’s Spirit within us. And since God’s Spirit is to flow through us and out of us toward others, it must be renewed on a regular basis (through regular prayer), so that we can be constantly filled with it (Psalm 51:10-11; Philippians 1:19; Ephesians 5:18; compare 2 Corinthians 4:16). Rather than quenching the Holy Spirit within us (1 Thessalonians 5:19), we must be led by and follow the lead of the Spirit (Romans 8:14; Luke 4:1).
When a battery is fully charged, it works at its full potential, but eventually it will need to be recharged before it loses its power. As true Christians, we need to be renewed by God’s Holy Spirit. We need a constant spiritual recharge. When we start to become weak, we need a boost; otherwise, we will slip away and lose all power. We must not let that happen to us, but we must be reenergized on a daily basis.
Electricity and God's Power
The simple things that we need in our lives, like electricity for example, can be taken for granted, but on the contrary, it’s only when we lack electricity that it’s importance is recognized. There can be an interesting correlation between electricity and the manifestation of God’s power, the Holy Spirit.
Pass Every Test
Week after week we witness the ongoing problems that this world is faced with, whether it be the economy, violence and terror, and/or even religious persecution. We know that these things are coming to pass, as predicted in our booklets, our weekly StandingWatch programs and our weekly Updates, which are all based on the Bible. We also know that our religious beliefs will cause a bitter taste in people’s mouths, because they just don’t understand the truth that we have come to believe. Since Church members–those who have been called out of this world–are just a handful in comparison with all humans alive today, we must ask ourselves how strong OUR faith is. And since faith grows through tests, how is our faith being tested?
Abraham had to have faith when he was tested. Hebrews 11:17 tells us that he was even willing to offer up his son Isaac, in order to obey God. Abraham was tested by God to see how strong his faith was, to do the unthinkable, offering his son of promise. At that time, Isaac did not have any children. Therefore, Abraham had to put all his trust in God that He would provide and fulfill His promise that he would have descendants through his son Isaac (compare Hebrews 11:18-19).
Jesus Christ was also tested numerous times. He was even tempted by Satan, as Matthew 4:1-11 records. In that passage, Satan tempted Christ three times and failed. Christ was stronger than Satan.
We should also be the same way, when God tests us or when Satan tempts us.
We have to be careful, however, that we don’t test God, by testing faith. We must abstain from testing God’s power by assuming that God would intervene when we don’t fulfill our part–including taking necessary precautions or actions. When our health is involved, for example, if we think that we will never get hurt or sick or refuse to live in a healthy way, then we should reconsider our thinking. Needless to say, we all have to have the faith that God will heal us, when we are sick. We need to do our part by praying fervently in faith; confessing our trespasses to one another and thereby striving for reconciliation with each other; and asking for anointing by God’s ministry. And we shouldn’t test faith, by refusing to take affordable necessary medication or by neglecting to reasonably avail ourselves of affordable competent medical help.
We must not–nor do we need to–test God. God tests us to see if we will succeed–having the confidence that we will. Jesus Christ says in Matthew 4:7 that we should not “put the Lord… to the test” (New Revised Standard Version). God tests our faith through trials and tribulations–especially now, as the end draws near. And Satan tempts us, hoping that we will fail the test and sin. He is like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour and destroy.
We are a very small group with a big potential. That is why we must continue to remain strong and confident. God promises us that no trial or temptation will be too difficult for us, and that we, with God’s help, can pass every test (compare 1 Corinthians 10:13).