Author Archives: Rod Reynolds

Love Your Neighbor

Posted on by

Jesus said the second of the two greatest commandments is to “love your neighbor as yourself.” He also warned, “And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold” (Matthew 24:12).

We’re living in an age where love is growing cold, and being replaced all too often by bitterness, aggression, hatred, violence and other evils, as God’s law is despised and rejected.

Regardless, God’s commandments still stand, and those who love their neighbors in accordance with God’s instructions will reap rewards now and in the ages to come. Who is your “neighbor”? And how are you to love your neighbor? Principles we can apply to this precept are found in Scripture, as we seek to apply God’s word in learning how God would have us love our neighbors.

“Love Your Neighbor” audio recording by Rod Reynolds, COGMessenger is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Godly Character Requires Patience

Posted on by

One of the notable traits of God’s nature and character is patience. God wants to shape our nature into the likeness of his nature, with our willing cooperation. If we are to have godly character, we must learn patience. How is God’s patience exemplified? And in what ways are we expected to develop and practice patience?

“Godly Character Requires Patience” audio recording by Rod Reynolds, COGMessenger is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Sabbath Questions

Posted on by

Even though the Sabbath command is one of the ten commandments (Exodus 20:8-11), and is mentioned many places in the Bible in both the Old and New Testaments, it is routinely neglected and ignored by most people.

It’s not unusual for people, when confronted with the idea that the Sabbath ought to be kept, to have objections or questions. This often includes even those who’ve thought of themselves as Christians for years or for a lifetime. This is not to be unexpected, given the confusion that has been sown concerning the Sabbath from various quarters, and the common disregard and outright contempt for the Sabbath that is commonplace.

Yet, there are some here and there who are willing to consider the proposition that perhaps the Sabbath ought to be taken seriously, but have questions they would like to have answers to. Perhaps you are one of those people. Or perhaps you already keep the Biblical Sabbath. If you are one of the latter, could you answer common questions that frequently come up about the matter?

In this message, we address questions that have been asked of us about the Sabbath. These are not the only questions concerning Sabbath keeping we are confronted with, but some of the most common. Perhaps they are questions that have occurred to you, or that you have been challenged by.

I hope you will find the answers given insightful and convincing. God promises, “Everyone who keeps from defiling the Sabbath, And holds fast My covenant–Even them I will bring to My holy mountain, And make them joyful in My house of prayer” (Isaiah 56:6-7).

If you are not currently a Sabbath keeper, perhaps you will find yourself asking another question, as some have, “Why not keep the Sabbath?”

“Sabbath Questions” by Rod Reynolds, COGMessenger is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

How Will the World be Different When Christ Returns? (Part 3)

Posted on by

Today’s world is in turmoil. The descendants of the ancient peoples of Israel, not just the Jewish people, but all of the so-called “lost ten tribes,” who migrated westward and eventually settled in the British Isles, parts of western and northwestern Europe, and kindred peoples in the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and other scattered places, were warned that if they rejected him and his commandments they would have their blessings replaced by curses. But after a period of punishment, they would be delivered, and not only they, but the entire world would be blessed by God as never before, under the reign of the risen Jesus Christ, returned to the earth to assume rulership over the entire world, sitting on the throne of David in Jerusalem.

In this message we discuss some additional ways in which the world will be different — and far better — after the return of Jesus Christ, than it is today, in the concluding message of this series.

“How Will the World be Different When Christ Returns (Part 3),” by Rod Reynolds, COGMessenger is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

How Will the World be Different When Christ Returns? (Part 2)

Posted on by

The world’s history is one of misrule, injustice, instability, disease, war, suffering, untold misery for countless numbers of people. But it didn’t have to be this way. And it won’t be this way in the future, after the return of Jesus Christ. He is coming to rule the earth in righteousness and justice. His government will be different from that of any other on earth since the time of Adam and Eve.

Learn more of what prophecy reveals about how the world will be different, and better by far, under the reign of Jesus Christ after his return.

“How Will the World be Different When Christ Returns (Part 2),” by Rod Reynolds, COGMessenger is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.