Fulfill Your Destiny Part 1

In recent decades our country and others have sent many rockets and satellites hurtling off into space, some destined for the far reaches of the solar system. For a rocket or a space probe to reach its target it must be carefully guided. The slightest deviation from the prescribed path can cause a space probe to miss its target by millions of miles. A small deviation of a satellite from its correct altitude and attitude in space can render it useless. Very sophisticated guidance systems have hence been developed to monitor and correct the paths of rockets, space probes and satellites as they journey toward their destinations. Without the corrections made by such guidance systems, a useful space program would not be possible.

For all their complexity, however, every guidance system has three basic components. This applies even to navigational systems for ships and airplanes, or any vehicle traveling from one place to another.

Each guidance system has: (1) a reference point. In the case of satellites and space probes, or even ships traversing the ocean, the reference point is usually the sun or a star. (2) Sensors to detect any deviations from the prescribed course. (3) A means of correcting errors to get back on the proper course.

The same principles apply to each of us spiritually. We too are traveling through life with a target: The target God intends for human beings is holy, righteous character. The reference point against which we measure our progress is God. We have available sensors to alert us to where we are deviating from the prescribed path. And we have available the means of correcting our attitudes and behavior so our paths are directed toward the target.

In “Fulfill Your Destiny Part 1,” Rod Reynolds reviews how God’s guidance system provides the means of correction necessary to help us reach our God given destiny. This message contains information vital to the interests of every human being.

“Fulfill Your Destiny Part 1,” a message by Rod Reynolds, is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

cogmessenger.org

Messenger Church of God
PO Box 619
Wentzville, MO 63385
USA

Challenges in the Face of Disaster

Various devastating disasters have occurred over the centuries that have challenged the capacities of people to react in ways that are a test of character. While not pleasant to contemplate, the Bible warns of increasing evils as we approach the end of this age. We should be prepared as Christians to meet the challenges of potential future disasters, situations that will be a test of our faith and character.

In “Challenges in the Face of Disaster,” we examine some prophecies that we need to be aware of, and discuss spiritual principles and concepts that with God’s help will enable us to meet in a godly manner whatever such challenges we may face as the world becomes more perilous.

“Challenges in the Face of Disaster,” a message by Rod Reynolds, is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

cogmessenger.org

Messenger Church of God
PO Box 619
Wentzville, MO 63385
USA

2024 Festival Observance Planned

The Messenger Church of God keeps the festivals God commands his people to keep. The commanded festivals and annual Sabbaths are listed in Leviticus 23. They include, in addition to the weekly Sabbath, the Passover, the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the Feast of Pentecost, the Feast of Trumpets, the Feast of Atonement, the Feast of Tabernacles, and the Last Great Day, associated with the Feast of Tabernacles, but technically a separate feast. The 2024 festival observance planned by the Church for the commanded annual festivals is summarized below.

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God’s Wisdom or the World’s?

The Bibles instructs us, “…incline your ear to wisdom…” (Proverbs 2:2). But how does one define wisdom? What is the source of true wisdom? Commonly, wisdom is sought in human philosophy, in sources like ancient philosophers such as Plato, and others, along with more recent philosophers. Or it may be sought in the opinions of scholars, religious leaders, historians, scientists, educators, or even politicians. Or maybe whatever ideas happen to be popular at any given moment. The world has its wisdom.

We’re told that God “stores up sound wisdom for the upright” (Proverbs 2:7). But the world’s wisdom is often at odds with the wisdom of God as recorded in Scripture. Often the scholars and “wise” of the world ridicule the Scriptures, and assign them to realm of myth and fable. In many ways the wisdom of the world and God’s wisdom cannot be reconciled. “For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God” (I Corinthians 3:19).

As Christians, how then should we approach learning and knowledge, making judgments and decisions about life? In this message Rod Reynolds discusses some key principles to guide us in evaluating what may be called “wisdom,” or learning or knowledge.

“God’s Wisdom or the World’s?” a message by Rod Reynolds, is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

cogmessenger.org

Messenger Church of God
PO Box 619
Wentzville, MO 63385
USA

Don’t Harden Your Heart

Jesus in Luke 4:4 said that man is to live “by every word of God.” He taught that the wise will build his life on the foundation of obedience to the word of God (Matthew 7:24-25).

God’s word judges us. “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12). “Discerner” is from the Greek κριτικός, an adjective that means able to judge or discern (Greek-English Lexicon, Bauer, Arndt and Gringrich). The English word “critic” is derived from the Greek word used here. Kριτικός is a cognate of κριτής (kritēs), a judge, and κρίνω (krinō), a verb meaning to judge or distinguish or decide. God’s word judges us, and in a sense is our critic. It penetrates beyond the surface to our innermost being. In the final analysis, everyone will be judged by God’s word (John 12:48).

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