Christian Tithing

God established a system where we can become his financial partners in the work of his government. The Bible describes a principle of investing in the future by serving God, and if we have a proper relationship with God, we can share in the fruit of the increase of his government.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

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

cogmessenger.org

Stir Up the Spirit

On the Feast of Pentecost following the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ the Holy Spirit was poured out in a spectacular way on the apostles, there were signs and miracles, and many were converted and received the Holy Spirit on that day and days following.

God’s Spirit is available to anyone who is willing to believe the true gospel, repent of sin and be baptized. But once having received the Spirit of God, one must nurture it, and stir it up to retain it and bear the fruits of God’s Spirit as he would have us to.

Listen to “Stir up the Spirit,” as Rod Reynolds explores this subject from Scripture, how it’s done, and to what end, and related questions.

“Stir Up the Spirit” audio recording by Rod Reynolds, is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

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

cogmessenger.org


Gold Refined

Prophets and the faithful down through history have risked and not infrequently forfeited their own safety, comfort, property and lives for the sake of truth, or to save the lives of others.

Godly character is often forged in the crucible of extreme trials. Such trials may come on suddenly and unexpectedly, or they may be perceived ahead of time as possible or even likely. Indeed, the Bible warns us that the faithful will be subject to various trials and tribulations (Matthew 24:9; 2 Timothy 3:12; 1 Peter 1:3-9).

Listen as Rod Reynolds reviews some examples of how some in the past have expressed love for fellow human beings, at the risk of their own lives, in the direst of circumstances, and what we can learn from such examples.

“Gold Refined” audio recording 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

Introduction to God’s Names

Have you ever considered that there are many names and titles used of God in the Bible? Some of the Hebrew names used of God are: Elohim, Yahweh, Adonai, Yah, El, Eloah, Elyon, Shaddai. Some of these are used in combination with other words to form divine titles, such as Yahweh-Jireh (The Eternal Will See or Provide), Yahweh-Ropheka (The Eternal Who Heals You), Yahweh-Nissi (The Eternal My Banner), Yahweh-Mekaddishkem (The Eternal Who Sanctifies You), Yahweh-Amah (The Eternal Our Maker), Immanuel (God Is with Us), these being only a few.

Other titles and descriptive names are used of God as well, such as Melchizedek (King of Righteousness), and in English such titles as the Portion of Jacob, the Rock of Our Salvation, the Prince or King of Peace, Wonderful, Holy One of Israel, Counselor, Redeemer, Shepherd of Israel, Everlasting Father, Savior, Refuge, Strength, Fortress, Deliverer, Creator. All these and more are from the Old Testament. The New Testament adds more, such as Jesus Christ, the Son of Man, the Son of God, the Lord God Omnipotent, Apostle, High Priest, the Light of the World, the Father of Lights, the Bread of Life.

Why so many names for God? The reason is that God in his word names things what they are. God is a great being, greater than our minds can fully comprehend. He fills many roles, many offices, has many responsibilities. There are a multitude of facets to his character and nature. The various names and titles highlight different aspects of who God is and what he is like.

Continue reading

Keep the Sabbath

The Sabbath was made holy at the time of the creation, or the restoration of the earth to a habitable condition, and the renewing of life on the earth, as described in Genesis 1. The Israelites, most if not all of whom had forgotten the Sabbath command and lost track of when the Sabbath occurs, had the Sabbath revealed to them in the wilderness, before they reached Mt. Sinai (Exodus 16). The Sabbath had been, like a number of other commandments of God, a commandment from the time of creation.

The Sabbath command included specific blessings for obedience, and curses and punishment for disobedience. Yet most of the Israelites, and of course the rest of mankind, over the course of history did not take it seriously, disregarded it, and have suffered curses as a result.

The Sabbath was not just for the Jews, and the command to keep the Sabbath, not on just any day of the week, and not on Sunday, but on the day God himself sanctified and made holy, is still in force today, and will be kept by all nations after Jesus Christ returns to establish the reign of the Kingdom of God on earth.

Learn more about what the Bible teaches about the Sabbath, its history and future.

“Keep the Sabbath” audio recording 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