volume 114 nov./dec. 2008 issue
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Volume 114 November/December 2008 IssueTRANSCRIPT
What Does The Church of Jesus Christ Believe?
We believe that the Bible is the infallible Word of
God and is the SOLE authority on every subject. We
believe that Jesus Christ is the Almighty God. Rev. 1:8,
“I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending,
saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to
come, the Almighty.” God put on a robe of flesh and
walked here on earth for 33 years to fulfill prophecy for
the New Testament Church, which is The Church of
Jesus Christ. According to the Word, John 1:1, “In the
beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God,
and the Word was God.” John 1:14, “And the Word was
made flesh, and dwelt among us….” The Church of
Jesus Christ believes that everyone must take His word
seriously, John 8:24, “I said therefore unto you, that ye
shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I Am He,
ye shall die in your sins.”
We follow God’s plan of salvation. Acts 2:38,
“…Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the
name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye
shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” Baptism is by
immersion in water only. The evidence of the infilling
of the Holy Ghost is according to Acts 2:4, “And they
were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to
speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them
utterance.” John 3:5 states, “Jesus answered, Verily,
verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water
and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of
God.” We must then live a clean, holy, and dedicated
life to Jesus Christ thereafter taking diligent heed to the
Word.
The Church of Jesus Christ must be found faithful
to His Word. We must be partakers of Communion
service. This service consists of the Lord’s Supper and
Foot Washing. 1 Cor. 11:24, 25, “And when he had
given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my
body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance
of me. (25) After the same manner also he took the cup,
when he had supped, saying, “This cup is the New
Testament in my blood: this do ye oft as ye drink it, in
remembrance of me.” John 13:14, 15, “If I then, your
Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought
to wash one another’s feet. (15) For I have given you an
example that ye should do as I have done to you.”
Watch, pray, forsake not the assembling of
yourselves together, give your tithes and offerings, so
that YOU can be counted among the faithful when our
one and only Savior, Jesus Christ, comes back in a
“cloud with power and great glory”!
Executive Board of Bishops
Bishop Jarret R. Spence, Presiding Bishop 2298 Fern Street
Portage, Indiana 46368
Phone 219-762-7492
Bishop Tommy Johnson, Asst. Presiding Bishop
P.O. Box 505
Dyersburg, Tennessee 38024
Phone 731-285-9200
Bishop Paul Rose, Secretary/Treasurer
P.O. Box 344
Cabin Creek, West Virginia 25035
Phone 304-595-5640
National Youth Leaders
Bro. Jarret & Sis. Caryn Spence
804 Pennsylvania Avenue
LaPorte, IN 46350
Phone 219-325-3904
Bro. Travis & Sis. Nora Hensley, Assistants
437 Tecumseh Street
Warsaw, IN 46582
Phone 574-551-4487
Bishop of Jamaica
Bishop Orville Rodney
199 Catherene Mount
Albion P. A.
Montego Bay, St. James, Jamaica, W. I.
Phone 876-952-6676
Bishop of Canada
Bishop Mathias Gooden
75 Dunlop St., Apt. 406
Richmond Hills, ON L4C 2M7
CANADA
Phone 905-883-8543
State Bishops
Bishop Charles Hays, Sr.
409 Fitch Street
Albion, Michigan 49224
Phone 517-629-7053
Bishop Danny Walls P.O. Box 216
Ingalls, Indiana 46048
Phone 317-485-4105
United We StandUnited We StandUnited We StandUnited We Stand
Divided We FallDivided We FallDivided We FallDivided We Fall
www.jesuschristisgod.org
www.thechurchofjesuschrist.net
The Church Of Jesus Christ
Headquarters: 2797 Bryant St. Portage, IN 46368
Phone: 219-841-9613
www.JESUSCHRISTISGOD.ORG
Message of Hope
Official Organ, owned by: The Church of Jesus Christ
Editor of the Message of Hope:
Sis. Wendy Leslie
Please send all articles to:
MESSAGE OF HOPE
236 Southwind Dr. Valparaiso, IN 46385
Articles and Pictures due: January 1st 2009
Shout For the Lord Hath Given You the City!
“For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised”
1 Chron. 16:25. I am still rejoicing in my spirit from the
tent revival that was held in Dyersburg, Tennessee
September 11 – 13th. The last service we got to
experience what they did in the tabernacle in 1 Kings
8:10-11. The preacher couldn’t minister because the
glory of the Lord filled the house. It was a glorious time
in the Lord. That service has “restored unto me the joy
of my salvation” (Ps. 51:12). We are glad to report that
one from the Portage church, Bro. Clarence Rogers was
filled with the Holy Ghost during that service. We have
had someone filled with the Holy Ghost from our
church in each of the last two tent revivals.
During that wonderful service, some were led by
the spirit to march around. I was reminded of the walls
of Jericho. How the more we marched, the more victory
came down. When I got home, I re-read the account in
Joshua. I have read and heard it many times but this
time I got much more out of it. When all the people
obeyed the word of God victory came by those walls
falling flat. Our victory comes if we obey God’s word.
In Joshua 6:16, Joshua told the people to “Shout for the
Lord hath given you the city.” We have all heard this
taught but have we related it to us? The Lord has given
us who are filled with the Holy Ghost the city. That city
is New Jerusalem. We should all shout with victory
because of this great promise we have awaiting us if we
continue to obey His word. We can’t even enter into the
gates of the city if we don’t do His commandments,
Rev. 22:14. We need to know that “we have a building
of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the
heavens” (2 Cor. 5:1) that is just up ahead. The signs
are everywhere and time is short. We need to be like
Abraham who “looked for a city which hath
foundations, whose builder and maker is God” Heb.
11:10. In Heb. 11:16 it states, “for he hath prepared
for them a city.” It must be the place he went away to
prepare in John 14:2. Do we “seek one to come” like
those of faith in Heb. 13:14? I know feeling the spirit so
strong that night has me looking for that city which is to
come. If there is anyone who hasn’t made up their mind
to follow the Lord, read the following verses in
Revelation 21:4, 22-27 to see what things you would be
missing. You will find all the wonderful things that will
be in that city. Just think about these things: no tears, no
death, no sorrow, no crying, no pain, no temple, no sun,
no moon, no night and no sin. The Lord is the temple
and the light of it. Why wouldn’t anyone want to go
there?
Church Reporter: Sis. Deanna Johnson
Pastor, Bishop Randell Spence
The Church of Jesus Christ
Portage, IN
The Pursuit of Happiness
"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are
created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator
with certain unalienable Rights that among these are
Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."
The Declaration of Independence
Many people today are in hot pursuit of happiness,
as their God-given right. However, the direct pursuit of
happiness as an end within itself will result in missing
the mark. We can never become happy simply by
chasing after happiness. Happiness does not exist as a
thing separate to itself, but is the indirect result of
something else. We usually experience it for a brief
period following the attainment of an important
achievement, and quite often during the course of
achieving our goals ... especially when we begin to
realize they are within our reach. I have been my
happiest in life during times when I was working toward
a definite end and could sense that I was making real
progress towards reaching that end. I can think of no
greater end to reach than eternal life with Jesus Christ.
Heb. 12:1-2 says, "Wherefore seeing we also are
compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let
us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doeth so
easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race
that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and
finisher of our faith;" and 1Timothy 6:6 states, "But
godliness with contentment is great gain." If you want
happiness, stop chasing after it and instead pursue Jesus
Christ. Strive to be more like Him in your day-to-day
life. Study His life (teachings and actions) and pattern
yours after Him. Become not only a hearer of His
words, but a doer as well. As you focus your efforts on
this worthy goal, you will become more peaceful,
contented, and joyful ... in other words, happy.
Pastor, Elder Mickey Dodd
The Church of Jesus Christ
Dyersburg, TN
(Portage Youth Portage Youth Portage Youth Portage Youth MakingMakingMakingMaking Soup for the Seniors Soup for the Seniors Soup for the Seniors Soup for the Seniors)
Praise the Lord!
I want to thank God for the many blessings in my
life, and the calling He has put in my heart to be a
minister of the gospel of Jesus Christ! He started to
deal with me before I received the Holy Ghost, and
thinking that was not possible, I kept putting it aside
figuring it would go away after getting the Holy Ghost.
Well, it didn’t go away, and I had to get my Pastor
involved because it only got worse. Finally, on August
3, 2008 I accepted what God was calling me to do. I’m
thankful for a wife who has supported me and has
prayed with me, who also knew that God had been
dealing with me before I told her. I’m glad I don’t have
to worry about what Madison will see me doing. I was
raised, “do as I say, not as I do.” And I can tell you, it
does not work. By the time I was in my early twenties,
I was what you would call a “functioning alcoholic.”
My parents were not alcoholics, and they provided for
me a good life. They loved me and were always there
for me, but on both sides of my family drinking was
more than just a casual affair, and I fell right in line. In
the years prior to God leading me to His church, I found
myself praying more and more for forgiveness of the
things I was doing, knowing they were not right. My
drinking was the one thing I did not know if I could give
up to become part of God’s church, and I would not go
to the altar until I knew my life would go in the
complete opposite direction. When I repented, I knew
without a doubt, that this was the church talked about in
the Bible, and was willing to obey my Pastor on
everything he taught! But, it wasn’t until I came across
some scriptures in the book of Galatians, and studied
them out, that I received a true revelation on
drunkenness.
In Galatians 5:19-21, (vs 19) “Now the works of
the flesh are manifest, which are these; adultery,
fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, (vs 20)
Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations,
wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, (vs 21) Envyings,
murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the
which I tell you before, as I have also told you in times
past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the
kingdom of God.” 1 Cor. 6:9-10 (vs 9) “Know ye not
that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of
God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor
idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of
themselves with mankind, (vs 10) Nor thieves, nor
covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners,
shall inherit the kingdom of God.”
Maybe I was plain ignorant, but it really shocked
me that a drunkard was no different than a murderer,
people I considered to be wicked.
But the apostle Paul tells us in 1 Cor. 5:11-13 that
is exactly what I was! (vs 11) “But now I have written
unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called
a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or
a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an
one no not to eat. (vs 12) “For what have I to do to
judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them
that are within? (vs 13) “But them that are without God
judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves
that wicked person.”
Many places throughout the Old and New
Testaments, God warns us of being drunk and given to
wine. Isaiah 5:11, 22-24 (vs 11) “Woe unto them that
rise up early in the morning, that they may follow strong
drink; that continue until night, till wine inflame them!”
(vs 22) “Woe unto them that are mighty to drink wine,
and men of strength to mingle strong drink: (vs 23)
“Which justify the wicked for reward, and take away the
righteousness of the righteous from him!” (vs 24)
“Therefore as the fire devoureth the stubble, and the
flame consumeth the chaff, so their root shall be as
rottenness, and their blossom shall go up as dust:
because they have cast away the law of the Lord of
Hosts, and despised the word of the Holy One of
Israel.”
In America today, if you don’t drink, people say
there is something wrong with you, and to drink and get
drunk every weekend is okay, and it’s the thing to do.
The Church of Jesus Christ is despised for living right,
and those that do wickedly are praised. The twenty-
fourth verse does not paint a pretty picture for America
if we don’t turn from our sins!
Nahum 7:10 says, “For while they be folden
together as thrones, and while they are drunken as
drunkards, they shall be devoured as stubble fully dry.”
Hosea 4:11, “Whoredom and wine and new wine
take away the heart.” The things we do when we are
drunk are not the same things that we would do if we
were sober. People are not the same person when they
are drunk. The Lord knows this and that is why He
warns us not to be a drunk, because a drunkard will not
inherit the Kingdom of God.
Proverbs 20:1, “Wine is a mocker, strong drink is
raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.”
In the words of Jesus Christ Himself: Luke 21:33-
35 (vs 33) “Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my
words shall not pass away. (vs 34) “And take heed to
yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged
with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life,
and so that day come upon you unawares.” (vs 35)
“For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on
the face of the whole earth.”
Deut. 29:5,6 (vs 5) “And I have led you forty years
in the wilderness: your clothes are not waxen old upon
you, and thy shoe is not waxen old upon thy foot.” (vs 6)
“Ye have not eaten bread, neither have ye drunk wine
or strong drink: that ye might know that I am the Lord
your God.”
How could anyone know God when they can’t
remember how they got home or what they had done?
If the Lord comes back on a Friday night at two o’clock
in the morning, how many people will be considered
drunkards?
Bro. Jay Rogers
Pastor, Bishop Randell Spence
The Church of Jesus Christ
Portage, IN
We Must Learn To Wait Upon The Lord!
Isaiah 40:31
But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew
their strength; they shall mount up with wings as
eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall
walk, and not faint.
By waiting upon the Lord, He will renew our
strength so we will mount up with wings as eagles, so
we will run and not be weary, and so we will walk and
not faint. You see an eagle uses storms for his benefit.
He carefully discerns the strong wind patterns and gains
their advantage so he actually soars to greater heights.
We as Christians need to learn from the eagle's example.
We need to use trials and tribulations to our advantage.
We need to recognize where the storms are coming
from and why they are occurring so we can soar over
them and achieve patience and spiritual growth.
We The Church Of Jesus Christ need to
recognize that as joint-heirs with Christ,
"All things work together for good to them that
love God, to them who are the called according to his
purpose" (Romans 8:28). By being tested and tried, we
enter into a deeper walk and relationship with the Lord.
We also need to recognize that people are not our
enemy, but sin and Satan are. John 10:10 says that
"the thief (Satan) cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill,
and to destroy; but Jesus Christ came so that we might
have life and have it more abundantly."
Peter tells us in 1Peter 5:8 that we must "be sober
(not intoxicated), be vigilant (alert), because your
adversary the devil, walketh about, as a roaring lion,
seeking whom he may devour."
The devil is very cunning. If the devil who acts as
a roaring lion can get our faith to waver, he gains
victory in our lives. For the Bible says in Romans 14:23
that "whatsoever is not of faith is sin."
Romans 10:17 says that "faith comes by hearing,
and hearing by the Word of God.” So by reading the
Word of God, we can increase our faith. For "faith
works in love” (Galatians 5:6) and "perfect love casteth
out all fear" (1 John 1:18). So faith casts out fear!
The Bible mentions in John 8:44 that the devil is
"the father of all lies and that there is no truth in him."
So, Satan uses deception and darkness to confuse the
believer. Jesus Christ, on the other hand, uses truth and
light to direct us and guide us. Jesus Christ is "the
Word" (John 1:1) and He is "the Way, the Truth, and
the Life" (John 14:6).
God has given us spiritual weapons and spiritual
armor so we can fight this "roaring lion."
Paul writes in II Corinthians 10:4 that "the
weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty
through God to the pulling down of strongholds."
Furthermore, II Corinthians 10:5 says, "Casting
down imaginations and every high thing that exalteth
itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into
captivity every thought unto the obedience of Christ."
We cannot fight the devil in the flesh, but we can
in the spirit! By praying and reading the Bible, we can
bring every thought into the captivity of the knowledge
of the Word of God.
James 5:7 says "Submit yourselves therefore to
God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." By
putting on our spiritual armaments, we are submitting
ourselves to God. So if we submit ourselves to God, the
devil will then flee from us.
For the Bible says in II Peter 2:9 that "the Lord
knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations."
When we abide in God's Word, "we shall know the
truth, and the truth shall make us free!" (John 8:31-32).
As you are reading this teaching, you might be
asking yourself, "Where does the Bible mention
spiritual armor and spiritual weapons?" Well, the
apostle Paul wrote to the church of Ephesus in
Ephesians 6:10-18 to: "Be strong in the Lord and in the
power of His might. Put on the whole armour of God,
that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the
devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but
against principalities, against powers, against the rulers
of the darkness of this world, against spiritual
wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the
whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand
in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand
therefore having your loins girt about with truth, and
having on the breastplate of righteousness. And your
feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace.
Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall
be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And
take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit,
which is the Word of God. Praying always with all
prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching
thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all
saints;"
The spiritual armor God has provided us can help
us withstand all the fiery darts of the enemy. However,
there is no armor for the backside, which means God
never intended for us to run from the enemy! So choose
to be bold and fight. Hold your ground saints!
WE ARE THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST.
Pastor, Bishop Randell Spence
The Church of Jesus Christ
Portage, IN
Dyersburg Youth Report
The youth in Dyersburg are still doing great. We
just had another youth outing on October 25th. We are
also starting on our Christmas program. It's a really
good play and we are all excited to be a part of it.
Remember Bro. Pete and Sis Tammy because this will
be their first Christmas program.
Church Reporter: Sis. Laura Beth Dodd
Pastor, Elder Mickey Dodd
The Church of Jesus Christ
Dyersburg, TN
Pierceton Report
Praise the Lord everyone! God is GREAT and
GREATLY to be praised. Psalms 150:6, “Let every
thing that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the
Lord.” Psalms 150:2, “Praise him for his mighty acts:
praise him according to his excellent greatness.” The
Lord is worthy of all praise and so much more.
Ecclesiastes 12:13, “: Fear God, and keep his
commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.”
Proverbs 1:7, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of
knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”
Proverbs 1:5, “A wise man will hear, and will increase
learning.” Psalms 112:1, “Blessed is the man that
feareth the Lord, that delighteth greatly in his
commandments.”
We thank the Lord for all He has been doing here
at The Church of Jesus Christ in Pierceton, IN. He has
been moving greatly in our services. The preaching that
has been going forth has been reaching to the depths of
our souls. We realize more and more that the coming of
the Lord is so nigh at hand. We need to be ready more
now than ever before. We need to be drawing closer to
Jesus Christ and be ready to leave at any moment. The
signs of His return are all around us, and we need to
heed these signs. We have NO time to waste! We thank
the Lord for His grace and mercy to us. For allowing us
to see and be aware of the end time signs. Take heed
and be ready!
We were glad to have had the opportunity to
attend the Tennessee Tent Revival in Dyersburg. God
moved and blessed in all the services. Several people
repented and came back to God. It was so great to see
that God’s mercy is still extended to those that want to
come to Him. Thank God for all that He is doing!
Last month we were blessed to have Sis. Marleen
Walls at our church for a couple of services. She
preached about being on the potter’s wheel, and being
willing to be remolded if we get out of God’s way and
His will. It was a great message and such a blessing to
have her with us in service!
We thank God for our Pastor, Bishop Robert
O’Dell and his wife Sis. Vanessa. We appreciate them
and all that they stand for. They stand for the gospel of
Jesus Christ and His word, nothing added and nothing
taken away from it. The truth the whole truth, and
nothing but the truth! They have been a blessing to us
all and we thank the Lord for them. We are so thankful
to have them that we could not ask for anyone better!
We thank God for all He has done and all He is
going to do. We just pray we will ALL be ready for His
return to get His church. May we all be living and
walking in the ways of Jesus Christ!
Church Reporter: Sis. Nora Hensley
Pastor, Bishop Robert O’Dell
The Church of Jesus Christ
Pierceton, IN
God’s Church (Article from 1992)
The Church of Jesus Christ, God’s Church is the
only church proclaimed in the Bible. Jesus Christ
talking to Peter: “And I say also unto thee, that thou art
Peter, and upon THIS ROCK (speaking of Himself) I
will build MY CHURCH; and the gates of hell shall not
prevail against it.” Jesus Christ is building His own
Church. It is His and does not belong to any other
person or name or title. IT BELONGS TO HIM! So
it carries His name. This Church is subject to Christ.
Eph. 5:24, “Therefore as the church is subject unto
Christ..” This Church is under rule of Jesus Christ.
Heb. 12:23, “To the general assembly and church of the
firstborn..” Jesus Christ is the FIRSTBORN! Col
1:18, “And he (Jesus Christ) is head of the body, the
church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the
dead; that in all things he (Jesus Christ) might have the
preeminence.”
Jesus Christ gave Himself (His life on the cross)
for THE CHURCH. Eph. 5:25, “…even as Christ also
loved the church, and gave himself for it.” Vs 27 states,
“That he might present it to himself a glorious church,
not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that
it should be holy and without blemish.”
The Apostle Paul speaking to the elders of the
Church (the ministry) in Acts 20:28, “Take heed
therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock (the saints
of God in The Church of Jesus Christ), over the which
the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the
church of God (The Church of Jesus Christ), which he
hath purchased with his own blood.”
Now that we know that there is only ONE church,
The Church of Jesus Christ, God has made the way for
us to be in it. Acts 2:47, “And the Lord added to the
church daily such as should be saved.” You cannot get
into The Church of Jesus Christ unless it is God who
adds you there. How? By obeying His commandments
(His rules), as He is the head of the church. And what is
His rule? The message that Peter preached. Why
Peter? Because in Matt. 16:19, “And I will give unto
thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever
thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and
whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in
heaven.” To be added into the church you must be born
again of the water and of the spirit (Holy Ghost), and to
be born again you must obey what Peter said, because
he has the keys to the kingdom of heaven.
On the day of Pentecost, WHEN THE CHURCH
received the gift of the Holy Ghost, Peter preached a
message to the Jews, the Jews said in Acts 2:37, “Men
and brethren, what shall we do (to be saved)?” Vs 38
states,” Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be
baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ
for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of
the Holy Ghost.” Thus will God add you to the church,
THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST.
Sis. Esther Goodrich
Pastor, Bishop Harold Goodrich
The Church of Jesus Christ
Decatur, MI
Are you Organized?
When you look at the topic you might say, “of
course I’m organized” or you might be one of those that
don’t believe in organization. How many of us have a
closet that is a complete mess, but we tell ourselves that
we know right where everything is and the truth of the
matter is that we really don’t want to take the time to
clean up the mess. How many times when we are
looking for a favorite shirt we can not find it in the mess
that we have created? If we would have taken the time
to organize the mess we wouldn’t stress out for hours
looking for something that is right before us.
The Church of Jesus Christ is a Church that must
be organized. We can not let satan come in and mess up
the Church that God Himself has created. The Bible lets
us know that in 1 Corinthians 14:33 it states, “For God
is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all
churches of the saints.” The Bible goes on to state in 1
Corinthians 14:40, “Let all things be done decently
and in order.” The “all things” that the scripture
speaks of would include the Church. This lets me know
that we can not let the Church become like our messy
closet.
Through the years I have heard many say that,
“you can not prove organization in the Bible.” But this
is incorrect. A few months back a thought came to mind
of the simplest way to prove organization in the Bible.
If you will take your Bible out for a few moments I
believe I can show you with your own Bible the
organization that is found in it.
I would like for you to first open your Bible to
Genesis 1:1. It states, “In the beginning God created
the heaven and the earth.” Now notice where the
beginning is found, the first book, first chapter and first
verse. Notice that this verse isn’t found in the middle or
in the end of your Bible but yet in the Beginning. Now
open to Revelations 22:21, you will find this scripture
being the last book of your Bible and last chapter and
verse. This verse reads, “The grace of our Lord Jesus
Christ be with you all. Amen.” The books, chapters and
verses themselves, of the Bible are organized in such
way that it is easy for anyone to find the verses that I
have mentioned.
Think for a moment what a Church service would
be like if this organization was done away with. The
preacher would get up and just start reading a scripture
and tell you to find it. How long would a service last
and how would you tell someone how to find a verse? I
will now have you find the following verse without
using any concordances (since they are organized also)
“Yea, many people and strong nations shall come to
seek the LORD of hosts in Jerusalem, and to pray
before the LORD.” Take a few minutes to find the
verse. Have you found the scripture yet? Unless you
are one of the few that has memorized the scriptures
from front to back it would take a long time to find this
verse. Just like the time that is spent looking for your
favorite shirt in the messy closet. You might just give
up looking and claim that it isn’t there. The verse that is
mentioned is found in Zechariah 8:22. And since the
Bible is organized, you can simply turn to the verse in
just a few moments. Thank God for Organization.
When looking at the verse that I have given, ask
yourself how shall people come to seek the LORD of
hosts in Jerusalem, and to pray before the LORD if they
don’t know where Jerusalem is? Without an atlas and
directions we would just wonder around lost. The same
can be said about a person searching for the truth
without organization they will wonder around lost.
In John 1:1 it says, “In the beginning was the
Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was
God.” Verse 14 says of the same chapter, “And the
Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we
beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the
Father,) full of grace and truth.” Now many will use
these scriptures and teach others that the scriptures that
we read from are in fact the written form of God. And
since this is true then God Himself must be organized.
For this is clearly seen in the scriptures. So many times
we look for some deep revelation in God that we miss
the very simple things that is right there in front of us.
As the scriptures warns us in 2 Corinthians 11:3, “But I
fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve
through his subtlety, so your minds should be corrupted
from the simplicity that is in Christ.”
Now for one final thought: look at the binding of
the Bible that you have. Notice that the organization of
the books of the Bible is all held together with glue.
Even though we find 66 books in the Bible they all
come together in ONE BINDING. If you claim that you
are in the Body of Christ should you not also be glued
unto others that are organized? Or are you better then
the books of the Bible (which is The Body of Christ)
and believe that you don’t have to be organized? If this
be true: how can you truly state that you are in The
Body of Christ?
It reads in Romans 12:4-5, “For as we have many
members in one body, and all members have not the
same office: (5) So we, being many, are one body in
Christ, and every one members one of another.” Can
the ear function without the head, or can the foot walk
without the leg that it must be attached too? Nether can
we claim to be The Body of Christ and not be glued
together with others in one binding. We as The Body of
Jesus Christ must be organized. For without this
organization we will become like our messy closet all
messed up.
Bro. Jon. Leslie
Pastor, Bishop Randell Spence
The Church of Jesus Christ
Portage, IN
Be Thankful
I am thankful for everything I have experienced
in this life of mine. For in all I have found that in His
Word-the answers I find.
I am thankful for all the tears I have cried for they
have taught me to appreciate laughter. They have given
me the ability to see the joy that comes after.
I am thankful for the storms I have encountered
knowing that the rainbow is at the end. Realization that
they are only temporal that with time all will mend.
I am thankful for all the relationships for the good
and yes, for the bad. For they have given life to my
emotions an appreciation of what I have had.
My most valuable relationship is that with Jesus
Christ, my Father. I know that I can trust Him as I can
trust no other.
An appreciation of little things I understand
the greatness of Jesus Christ’s love, and the pain He has
suffered for me. How He endured all things so that I
could be set free.
Most of all, I am thankful for His Grace. For the
provisions that it brings how it has provided for me in
all things!
-Unknown Author-
Just Fight
He can fill any hole
left inside.
Wanting us to feel Him
close beside.
To trust in Him with
all our hearts.
Knowing Jesus Christ saves
if we just fight.
Sis. Ashley Terry
Pastor, Elder Mickey Dodd
The Church of Jesus Christ
Dyersburg, TN
Happy Holidays!
Let us remember to count our blessings each and every day!
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