Tag Archives: understanding

Fulfill Your Destiny Part 1

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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

God’s Wisdom or the World’s?

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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

How Can You Know the Truth?

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We live in a world in which confusion abounds. In every major facet of the world’s society: education, politics, religion, or whatever, contradictions, conflict and confusion prevails. Almost every subject of consequence is controversial these days.

There is a continuous struggle going on for our attention. Whether you realize it or not, your mind is under siege. All kinds of elements, groups, individuals, with a point of view to sell are struggling to capture your mind—attempting to win it over to their point of view. Your mind is constantly being bombarded by conflicting ideas, beliefs and opinions.

Even something as obvious as one’s sex is controversial. Are you male or female? An increasingly popular idea these days is that it’s not your DNA, nor the sex organs you are born with, that determine your sex. It’s whether you “feel” that you are male or female. Confusion about one’s sexual identity is being deliberately sown among even very young children by prevailing forces in our society. We can feel compassion for those who are confused about their sexuality, which often results from abuse or other kinds of mistreatment. But I have a hard time feeling anything but contempt for willful proponents of such confusion.

Paradoxically, in a world where the very idea of objective truth is increasingly under assault, powerful institutions are becoming more and more intolerant of any opinions on controversial matters which do not concur with their own.

Powerful social media companies routinely censor or deplatform those posting material which runs counter to opinions they favor, even though they are supposed to be content neutral platforms. Internet browser algorithms often tend to give preference in their search engine results to websites expressing viewpoints in favor with the left-wing Establishment.

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Why Study the Bible?

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King Solomon wrote, “Of making many books there is no end” (Ecclesiastes 12:12). But of all the countless books that have been written, is there any that reliably answers the most fundamental and important questions of life? Why do we exist? What is our nature? Is there a God, and if so, what is God like? What does God expect of us? Can we know the true God? Does God love us? Is there a path that can put an end to violence, unnecessary suffering and sorrow? What happens when we die? Is there a way to eternal life, and if so, what is it?

Believe it or not, there is such a book, a book that has the answers to these questions, and other questions vital to the life of every human. That book is called the Bible. The Bible is unlike any other, and has no equal, because it is God’s revelation to mankind of knowledge that can be found in no other source.

Do you know what the Bible says? Have you read it? Have you studied the Bible diligently to learn what God wants you to know? Why study the Bible? In this article you will find answers to this question of vital importance to every human being.

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Sin Causes Division

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We live in a world marked by dissension, division, strife, hatred, war and other
manifestations of violence and bloodshed. To a large extent, humans are cut off from God as well.

At the root of division, between God and mankind, and among human beings, is sin. If we can understand the root cause of division and strife, perhaps we can understand more clearly the path we should walk in, and eventually the way to peace with God and among human beings.

“Sin Causes Division,” audio recording by Rod Reynolds, COGMessenger is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.