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Download MP3 As of 2008, there are over 400 Christian denominations in the United States alone, and thousands around the world. Are they ALL right?
Any question that we have concerning God can be answered by God's word. John 1:1 says “in the beginning was the Word, and the word was with God, and the Word was God.” The Word of God, the Bible, and God himself are one in the same. The question of God's one true church cannot be answered with opinion, but rather directly from the Bible.
God is not the author of confusion. Ephesians 4:4-6 says there is only ONE body,ONE Spirit, ONE hope, ONE Lord, ONE faith. 1 Corinthians 1:10 admonishes that the people of God be “perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.” Does this describe the religious scene of today? It in fact is the opposite. How does it follow that there are hundreds of different churches who all claim to be following Christ when God's holy word says there is only ONE body of Christ, God's true church?
Every faithful member of any religious group could argue that THEIR church is the true way; nobody wants to be considered wrong. So how do you know if the church you attend is the true church? We must first understand what the church really is. Ephesians 1:22 and 23 says that the church is the body of Christ, and Christ is the head of that body. It is not a building or an organization that you join. Romans 12:4 reads “For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.”
How do we recognize if we are members of the one body of Christ? Matthew 7:16-18 says “we shall know them by their fruits...every good tree bringeth forth good fruit ...a good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.” We can recognize a true member of God's body by the way that they live, the fruits of the spirit that they display. Do you display the fruits of the spirit outlined in Galatians 5:22-23? If you can confidently say that your life is a true display of holiness, you can be recognized as a member of God's body.
But displaying godly characteristics is not the only qualification of a true member of the Church of God. Acts 2:47 says that God20adds to the church “daily, such as should be saved.” Without salvation, you cannot become a part of God's church. Matthew 1:21 says that Jesus Christ came to this earth with the purpose of saving people from, and OUT, of their sins. True salvation is the forsaking of your sins, a full conversion towards the way of Christ, and the sanctification of your body and mind away from the things of the world. True salvation will produce a longing for the things of God, and a godly spirit.
Although the fruits of the spirit are evidence of a true member of God's church, the actual body of Christ can be revealed by taking a closer look at the very foundation of the Church. Ephesians 2:20 says the Jesus Christ was the chief cornerstone, the very foundation of His church. The church of God is not a building or a mere name. It is the spiritual body of Christ. You can be proved a member of this body through salvation, through which God himself adds you to his church. The teaching, or doctrine, of any religious body will identify its faithfulness to the Word of God. Be found, dear friend, where the teaching of holiness is reflected in the daily lives of the people who are gathered together. The divisions and denominations created by men are not the will of God, so where will you be found?
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Philippians 3: 13-14 13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Perhaps everything hasn’t gone so well in your life in the past. Regardless, of how big our mistakes are, learn from them. We are all human, and all make mistakes. Learn and move on.
A runner starts his race and knows he has somewhere to get to. We need to know where we are going spiritually and physically. Runners also understand that there are obstacles. Obstacles are a part of life. Embrace them don’t run from them. Runners don’t have time to look back. Their race is from that point in front of them. Don’t look back. Keep looking forward. Runners press forward and beat the mind battle.
Our goal is to make it to heaven and help others make heaven their home. Keep striving for that.
Quitting is not an option. Don’t put yourself in a position to where you just quit. Fight for something as if it is already yours. Spend time in prayer. Runners have to realize there is joy in the end. Visualize finishing! Don’t quit!
Christ always stopped and took time for others. Even to those who were his enemies.
Anything that you really want to do, you can do it! If we are going to accomplish anything we can’t get overwhelmed. Lean on others. Remember we are all human! Luke 13:24 24 Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.
Put forth effort to win the goal! Everything in life does not just come easily. Excuses will only hinder us. Our call is arise go and doubt not! Don’t doubt yourself, God will help you. Many are called but few are chosen! Don’t settle to live on the sidelines.
What can we bring? Use what talents god gives you for his glory.
Genesis 22:1-3 & 7 1 And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham: and he said, Behold, here I am.2 And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of.3 And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and saddled his ass, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son, and clave the wood for the burnt offering, and rose up, and went unto the place of which God had told him.7 And Isaac spake unto Abraham his father, and said, My father: and he said, Here am I, my son. And he said, Behold the fire and the wood: but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?
When god wants you to do something, don’t listen to your doubts. Don’t think about what you haven’t been able to do, but think about what you have been able to do. Life has its challenges but our help is from God.
We must be willing to give up some things. It takes sacrifice to accomplish some things.
We can’t clock out of life. Don’t let devil tell us we can’t, because we can with God’s help. One way to prevent the enemy from winning is to keep a positive attitude! Other people can do it and so can you, with God’s help!
Take the challenge! Don’t let the past hinder from your future!
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