Church of God (Holiness)

1 Cor 12:12-14 (13)

I really enjoyed working for Joe. Why? Joe, his foreman and I had established such a close relationship that it seemed as if we all thought alike. We “clicked” when we worked. When one needed a tool he didn’t have to ask for it because the other had already anticipated his need and was in the process of handing the tool to him. We worked together like a well oiled machine.

Isn’t it amazing that the human body works so well. Bones, organs, muscles, nerves, fluids, solids, cells all working together as if they had a college degree in cooperation. When I type these words on my computer I don’t even think about the process. The words just flow through my mind as a thought and my fingers automatically start punching the appropriate keys. My eyes don’t even have to leave the computer screen because my fingers know what they are supposed to do. Each part of the body takes care of its own responsibility. The blood flows, the stomach digests, the nose breathes, the eyes see, the ears hear, the back hurts. All work together in harmony.

The Church is not one local church, one denomination, or one philosophical viewpoint. It is all those who have been born again. It functions across church lines. It operates in spite of denomination barriers. It is one with Christ.

Col 2:1-12 (12)

If I ever saw redemptive lift it was in the life of Cleo. When I first found him he was poverty stricken, degraded, discouraged, and full of the devil. He drank, smoked, cussed, had pornography within easy reach of his chair… or his children. He had no job and didn’t care. He was lost and a loser.

Cleo, Bobbie and the kids started coming to church. Finally the day came when they prayed through at the altar. A radical change took place. No only was Cleo saved but he was changed! The cigarettes and the booze were thrown out. His language changed. His reading material changed. He got a job. He started to dress better. He had been risen with Christ. This meant that he was raised out of the depths of a sinful life to life in Christ. But this also meant that his lifestyle was altered which caused his thinking, his economy, his behavior, his demeanor and his appearance to be raised to another level as well.

Resurrection in Christ is truly a miraculous event in an individual’s life.

Psa 51:10-13 (12)

I never will forget that service at Harmony Hill Youth Camp. I had fasted all week praying that God would save my youngest son. A wall was between us. We lived together but didn’t communicate. We were both miserable about the same thing but for different reasons. I couldn’t understand the problem and he wouldn’t talk about it. The evangelist had just preached about “Honoring your Father and Mother.” We were standing. And invitation was in progress. Then I saw my son leave his chair and head for the aisle. I prayed that he would go forward to be saved . . . I prayed that he would not leave the service in total rejection of God. My prayer was interrupted when I sensed his presence. I looked up in time to see him throwing his arms around my neck. We wept together and rejoiced together as he asked me to forgive him. We freely expressed our love for each other. In just a small way this compares to the restoration and reconciliation that takes place when we come to God seeking His forgiveness. It truly is joy unspeakable and full of glory.