The Inseparable Love Of God

Romans 8:35, 39

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Nor height nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Growing up I became accustomed to the phrase "If the Lord be for you (us) who can be against you" (v. 31), not knowing at that time the phrase was biblical and mother was giving me a biblical foundation in which to live by trusting God totally. Mother was also indoctrinating me with the fact that the love of God surrounds me and there is nothing that can or will separate me as well as all believers from His love. If we become separated from God is because you or I walked away from His divine love, but through His amazing grace He is ready and willing to forgive and receive the wayward child. What a loving God!

Our scripture text asks the profound question which from my early teachings and growing in the knowledge of Christ allows me to answer unequivocally nothing. Paul goes on to annotate what could be separators if one is living outside the ark of God's salvation, but for believers they have God's safety net. It is noteworthy to say that if a believer falters in his or her faith isn't because of God's love and grace is lacking. 

There is no failure in God's love.

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http://willie-writing.blogspot.com

www.shepherdministries.info

Steadfast In Christ

Colossians 2:5

For though I be absent in the flesh, yet I am with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ.

In our study text Paul expresses his love for the Colossian believers which exemplifies the attitude all believers should have as we manifest love for Christ and others. There may be times when it is impossible to be present in the flesh but we are always present in the spirit. Believers are to rejoice in the faithfulness of other believers and provide encouragement because the evil one is constantly trying to steal our joy and derail our commitment to Christ while we remain steadfast in our faith.

If a situation arise that prompts the question what must I do as a believer do to remain steadfast in my faith in Jesus Christ when conditions around me seem hopeless and there is no way out? Believers are to hold fast to God promises as recorded in scripture that He will never leave nor forsake His children. When the situation is bleak God is near, just give it over to Him and leave it there. Fellow believers may not be close by during the distressing situation, but prayer knows no boundaries. The Word of God always provides inspiration to every situation or problem. Therefore, our faith and love for God must remain as His love and faithfulness to us never fails.

Steadfastness in Christ through faith is perseverance.

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white3285@sbcglobal.net     

http://willie-writing.blogspot.com

www.shepherdministries.info

Dry Bones In The Valley

Ezekiel 37:1-14

The hand of the Lord was upon me, and carried me out in the spirit of the Lord, and set me down in the midst of the valley which was full of bones. And caused me to pass by them round about; and behold, there were very many in the open valley; and lo, they were very dry.

During my reading and meditation and as I pondered the spiritual condition that is being witnessed in this country; I say this because of the openness of sin and immorality of all kind took me to the above scripture and ask this question, "Can these bones live" (v.3)?

I equate dry bones in our text to sin and the depraved sinful conditions that existed then and now. Today we are witnessing a plethora of sinful conditions that is plaguing our society that makes me continue pondering the above asked question "Can these bones live", and ask these questions, What caused the breakdown of the family structure? What has happened to love thy neighbor as thyself? What has happened to teaching the Ten Commandments? Where has society placed God as a whole in our lives?

Allow me to answer the main question, yes these bones can live because in God's own time He will destroy sin forever, and as His spokespersons continue proclaiming His Word many are going to hear and ask what must I do to be saved? Just as a spiritual restoration took place in Israel (vv 9-10) it going to occur in America. Let me remind you that nothing is out of the will of God, whether it is His perfect or permissive will. His perfect will is what He desires, but His permissive will is what He allows to occur.

Allow me to answer the second question which hopefully will satisfy the other questions by say when we take God out of the picture or remove Him from being first then everything become unbalanced. He is the essence of our being from the beginning to end.

Let me close by saying, in my call to share God's Word I feel like the prophet Ezekiel in the valley of dry bones, but I will continue spreading His Word because I know through His Spirit these bones can live.

"Thus saith the Lord God unto these bones; Behold, I will cause breath to enter into you, and ye shall live" (v. 5).

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http://willie-writing.blogspot.com

white3285@sbcglobal.net

www.shepherdministries.info

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The Church As A Ministry

Romans 12:6; 1 Corinthians 1:7; 12:4-11

Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.

Today's focus discussion is the church as a ministry where the different gifts that is given by God the Holy Spirit to serve in furthering the gospel message of Christ and kingdom building. As stated in our scripture text these different spiritual gifts are given for the profit to all mankind (v. 7). Just as these gifts were an indispensable part of the early church and its ministry they are today as well. It is God's will that these ministry gifts continue until Christ returns for His bride-the church.

In ministering one's God given spiritual gift is to manifest the love, grace, care and compassion of God as believers serve God through serving others. Serving others just as Christ did during His earthly ministry believers meet the human need of the needy in order to meet the spiritual needs. Believers have been given the commission by Christ Himself to carry the gospel to the uttermost parts of the world (Matthew 28:19-20) and this is an integrate part of the church's ministry. As the church continue in its ministry God has left His spiritual body armour (Ephesians 6:11-18) to defend against Satan's evil attacks.

Church, fear not in your ministry for God is with you always.

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http://willie-writing.blogspot.com

The Temple Of God

1 Corinthian 3:16

Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit dwelleth in you?

Continuing our discussion on the church; today our focus is the church as the temple of God both physically and spiritually as the congregation of believers assemble themselves to worship God. The temple has been long viewed as a place of worship and when true worship is exercised then the Holy Spirit is in the midst.

Why must God's temple remain holy? God's temple must remain holy even in the midst of a wicked society is that He is holy and cannot reside in a filthy place or along side idol gods (2 Corinthians 6:16). The local church is viewed as the city that is set upon a hill lighting the way for lost souls so they too may come to Christ. Most importantly, the temple/church must remain holy as it is the bride of Christ.

Being that the church is God's dwelling place it is imperative that it remain separated from this world and its systems. Who make up the church is the body of baptized believers who are holy and have been declared righteous through the blood of Jesus Christ. Being that believers have been bought with the blood of Jesus Christ, then believers' bodies are no longer theirs; therefore, believers being members of the body of Christ must live to glorify God as His Spirit lives within (vv. 19-20).

Church and believers you are the temple of God-be holy.

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The Church

Matthew 16:18

And I say unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

If the question were raised, How do we define the church? Over the next several topical discussions we will look at the church from different points of view; in today's discussion we defines the church as a congregation of believers who have accepted Jesus Christ as his or her personal Savior and is now members of God's kingdom. The church is both visible and invisible where the physical church is the structure or local congregation where believers assemble to worship God in Spirit and in truth (John 4:24). The invisible is the faith component where all believers are united with Christ through their faith.

Jesus Christ is the rock who is the great foundation of the church (1 Corinthians 3:11) and it was Peter's faith in Jesus Christ that Christ's church is built. Peter solidified his faith as recorded in 1 Peter 2:4, 6-7 when he stated that Christ is the "living stone…the chief cornerstone which the builders disallowed." Peter's faith allowed him to become part of the living stones as do all  believers become living stones and part of the  spiritual structure of the church that in turn make up God's spiritual house He is building (1 Peter 2:5).

It is noteworthy to say that regardless of how hard Satan may try to destroy Christ's church, it will stand forever.

Christ's bride-the church.

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white3285@sbcglobal.net

http://willie-writing.blogspot.com