Good day. Today we are posting Part 2 of a six part newsletter series In God's Image! written in 1996 by our dear brother, fellow steward and ambassador of the mystery of Christ, Larry Gazelka. Our prayer is that you will be blessed and encouraged by this newsletter series. Have a very blessed and prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. ***You can download a copy of the writings for personal use only by clicking on the Built Anew Ministries Archive page link above and scroll down to the year 1996.

​In God’s Image!     v18n48
Part Two

​

2 Timothy 3:16-17 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. (KJV)


Doctrine: something that is taught.


Reproof: to rebuke for a fault or misdeed.


Correction: the act or process of removing mistakes or errors.


Righteousness: 1 Corinthians 1:30, Christ is made unto me, righteousness.


Why, have we as believers, allowed so much to stand in our way to the kingdom of God? There are detours that come in all kinds of shapes, and sizes, but they are all distractions from the truth of Father’s Word.


Men! Most of you can give stats, salaries, and a vast array of other information regarding your favorite athletes; as well as give the standings and schedules of your favorite teams. We also know what fishing lures are good, and which scents to use for hunting season.


Women! Most of you are aware of what are the hot fashions and colors for the coming seasons. You are also aware of what the popular hairstyles are.


In all actuality, the list for the men and women could go on and on. The essence of the matter is though; how many of us know Father’s Word, and know it well enough to know beyond any doubt, that if the Son were to appear today, that you would be with Him and Father forever?


There are some times, (that is when I get in the flesh), that I wish that Father would not have asked me to serve in the ministry. That He would have called someone else to open the revelation of the mystery of the Gospel to. Being fully used of Father, at times has to be the loneliest that can be asked of a person. Most, do not want to have much to do with you. They think you are a fanatic, (which I am with the Word), that I am to picky with the Word, or that I have gone off the deep end, (and maybe even try to help me over). For some reason, most seem to think or believe that Father’s message should come in the form of an ice cream sundae.


If in fact, we are so on fire for the Word of  God in this country, why are there so many mind boggling problems, and such turmoil and unrest, in what we call the “church” of God? Why is there so much backbiting and bickering between the different denominations? Doesn’t Paul tell us in Ephesians the fourth chapter, “There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.” Who, or what are we following? God’s Word, or man’s traditions and doctrines?


Could it be, that we have established rules and regulations that allow us to do what we want to do, when we want to do it? Have we tried to keep God in a box, and limit His ability to what we can see and understand in the physical realm? Are we able to hear the Word of God for ourselves?


If in fact, hearing and obeying the Word of God is so popular, why in the past has it cost the lives of so many that held fast to “their profession of faith in Christ Jesus?” Who, and for what reasons was Jesus Christ of Nazareth put to death? Why was Stephen also put to death by the religious leaders of his day? Why was Paul, Peter and John put to death, and tried to be silenced?


For the most part, we have turned our backs to Father and the Word that He has given to us, for our benefit. We have to many things to do, and to many places to go; for God’s Word to have first place in our lives. When is the last time, that you put out an all out effort to be what Father wants you to be?


2 Chronicles 7:14-15 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. 15 Now mine eyes shall be open, and mine ears attent unto the prayer that is made in this place. (KJV)


Hosea 4:6-7 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children. 7 As they were increased, so they sinned against me: therefore will I change their glory into shame. (KJV)


We always hear these words, but always think that they are for someone else, or some other group. Yet, Father is quite clear to say, my people! Those who are called by His name!


2 Timothy 4:2-5 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. 5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry. (KJV)


1651  elegcho- reprove: 1) to convict, to refute, to confute a) generally with a suggestion of shame of the person convicted  b) by conviction to bring to the light, to expose  2) to find fault with, correct  a) by word:  1) to reprehend severely, to chide, to admonish, to reprove 2) to call to account, to show one his fault, to demand an explanation  b) by deed:  to chasten, to punish.


2008  epitimao- rebuke: 1) to show honor to, to honor  2) to raise the price of  3) to adjudge, to award, in the sense of merited penalty  4) to tax with fault, to berate, to chide, to rebuke, to reprove, to censure severely, to admonish or charge sharply


3870  parakaleo- exhort: 1) to call to one's side, to call for, to summon  2) to address, to speak to, (call to, call upon), which may be done in the way of exhortation, entreaty, comfort, instruction, etc.  a) to admonish, to exhort  b) to beg, to entreat, to beseech, to strive to appease by entreaty  c) to console, to encourage and strengthen by consolation, to comfort, to receive consolation, to be comforted  d) to encourage, to strengthen  e) exhorting and comforting and encouraging  f) to instruct, to teach.


3115  makrothumia- longsuffering:1) patience, endurance, constancy, steadfastness, perseverance  2) patience, forbearance, longsuffering, slowness in avenging wrongs.


Have we truly arrived at the place that Father wants us in His Word? Or, have we altered the Word of God to justify where we are at?


What if Paul the Apostle was able to step forth in our churches today, do you really think that he would be welcomed with open arms? When one of the first things that would come out of his mouth would be, “who has cast a spell on you?” “Who has caused you to rely on the flesh instead of the Spirit?” How long would Paul be welcome at your service? How long would he be welcome in your building or city?


We would find something wrong with him, so we would be able to justify ourselves, as to why we should not listen to him. It might be the clothes that he would wear. Perhaps, the accent that he might have. And don’t forget, that he had been in jail, (for speaking the truth in love). What would you find wrong with him? What excuse could you come up with, that you would not listen to the Spirit of God that was speaking through him?


It is easy to see and understand why none of the major denominations would have nothing to do with Paul, if he were around today! Yet, with all that Paul went through, Father was able to use this man to pen and record a good portion of the New Testament. To open to us the mystery of the gospel, and the message of Father’s grace.


How do I look? Since the day that we have first believed, most of us as Christians have wondered about who God is. Most fail to hear and see what the book of Genesis has to tell us.


Genesis 1:26-27 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. 27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. (KJV)


We all need to stop, and look in the mirror, and what do you see? Is what you see, pleasing to you? Do you make funny faces, and grumble because you are not satisfied with what you see? Are you able to comprehend, that God created you in their image, and after their likeness? When we look in that mirror, we need to be able to see a unique and individual facet of God. Each of us, is a unique part of the body of Christ. What a wonderful and blessed thing to behold. Do you, or are you able to see God’s deep love for just you?


When we look in the mirror, we need to be cognizant of the fact, that when God created us, He said that all that He had created was good. We have to get to the point as Christians, in our relationship with God, that we are satisfied with how He created us. Yet, how often do we hear, or even speak words that are contrary to this?


Did you notice in the first part of verse 26, that God is talking in the plural. Here, we get our first glimpse at the plurality of God.


That you may know Him
In the service of Jesus Christ
Larry Gazelka


Next week: In God’s Image, part 3

Good day. Today we are posting Part 1 of a six part newsletter series In God's Image! written in 1996 by our dear brother, fellow steward and ambassador of the mystery of Christ, Larry Gazelka. Our prayer is that you will be blessed and encouraged by this newsletter series. Have a very blessed and prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. ***You can download a copy of the writings for personal use only by clicking on the Built Anew Ministries Archive page link above and scroll down to the year 1996.

In God's Image!     v18n47
Part One
 
Genesis 1:26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: (KJV)
 
Genesis 11:7 Go to, let us go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another's speech. (KJV)
 
There are several things that we should make note of, as we look at these two verses from Genesis. Did you notice, that God is talking in the plural? “Let us!” Also, if God created us in their image and after their likeness, are you aware of how much responsibility comes along with that? What do you see, when you look in the mirror?
 
As we take a close look at Genesis chapter one, we can see the creation of the world as we know it. We can see all that God created and placed here for us. The order, that was brought about, and placed into operation at the command given by His Word.  Everything was set in motion, and established by God’s Word. God spoke, and His Word went forth and created.
 
If this is so, (which I know that it is), and God created us in their image, and after their likeness, are we then not created to operate by the same principles as Father? Just as God in Genesis chapter one said, let there be light, plants, animals and man, and there it all was, exactly according to His Word. Then, would not the same be true for us? Our very words, have created the world that surrounds us!
 
Hebrews 11:3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. (KJV)
 
Psalms 119:89-91 For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven. 90 Thy faithfulness is unto all generations: thou hast established the earth, and it abideth. 91 They continue this day according to thine ordinances: for all are thy servants. (KJV)
 
We are so quick to point our finger at everyone and everything else for the problems that are in the world today. Yet, we are the ones that have allowed our words and grammar to be modified to suit our own individual needs and wants. In doing so, we have caused a separation and a void between ourself and God.
 
An illustration that Father has used to explain this to me, is that of a Polaroid picture. The moment that we are born-again, a picture is taken of us, which will be used for our passport to heaven. Out of the camera, comes this picture that has absolutely no clarity to it. As I continue in the Word of God, the picture begins to develop. The more time I will spend with Father in His Word, the more the picture develops, and the clearer the definitions on and in the picture become. Will your passport picture be developed enough by the time you get to the border crossing? Will it be developed enough that Jesus Christ will be able to recognize you as one of His?
 
We need to ask ourselves, how well am I applying God’s Word to my life? The moment that I forget Father and His Word, my picture quits developing.
 
Romans 3:3-4 For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect? 4 God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged. (KJV)
 
Matthew 12:35-37 A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things. 36 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. 37 For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned. (KJV)
 
Irregardless of what we think or say, we cannot change God’s laws. They continue to work this very day, whether or not we believe. The question is, will God’s laws work for or against you?
 
Take gravity for example. Have you ever seen it? Do you understand totally how it works? Yet, if you were to walk off of the roof of a five story building, and all the way to the ground tell Father that His law of gravity did not work, the end result would be that you would be the one that was wrong. Possibly even dead wrong!
 
The same is true with the law of faith. Your words will form your world around you, right or wrong. Your words are your servants. They will perform the exact things that you send them to do. This area of our walk is not taught very often, and most times when it is, it is taught out of the context for which Father intended.
 
Many, when teaching in this area, tell the people that it gives them the right to demand anything that they want from God. Just claim whatever you want, and God will give it to you. What we fail to hear and see, is that Father said that He would supply all of our needs, not our wants! The desires of the heart, are quite different from the desires of the flesh!
 
They also try to apply it the area of giving to God, so that you will get a hundred fold return. Can someone please show me where that is in the Bible, establishing it in the mouth of two or three witnesses? For some reason, I can not locate that in my Bible. I give when Father asks me to give, not to get anything in return, but give because I know that it pleases Father, and that I also realize how much Father has given for me. His only begotten Son, Christ Jesus our Lord! Can you put a price tag on your salvation?
 
Your words, form your world around you, regardless of whether or not they are in accordance with the scriptures or not.  What you have spoken, is out there either working for you or against you!  No one can force you to speak right or wrong words; it is all your choice.
 
Hebrews 11:1-3 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 2 For by it the elders obtained a good report. 3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. (KJV)
 
Just as God's words, framed the worlds that we now see, our words form the world in which we now live. If we do not like the situations that presently occupy our life, whose fault is it? It certainly is not Father's fault. He gave His only Son that we might have abundant life through Him!
 
Matthew 15:10-11 And he called the multitude, and said unto them, Hear, and understand: 11 Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man. (KJV)
 
2840 koinoo- defileth - to make common a) to make (Levitically) unclean, to render unhallowed, to defile, to profane  b) to declare or count unclean.
 
Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing assunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. (KJV)
 
The thoughts and intents of Father are quite clear, that all that He created was and is good. It is only as He gave man dominion over His creation that man has perverted them.
 
That you may know Him
In the service of Jesus Christ,
Larry Gazelka

Good day. Today's video Know Now is on the topic of now is when you are able to know and become fully acquainted with the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ, in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Today is the day of salvation, now is the accepted time. What do you know now? 
 
​​​​​​You can view all previous videos by going to our YouTube channel Doctrine of Christ Ministry or by clicking on our archive page link above - Doctrine of Christ Ministry Archive.

​​​​Have a blessed and prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Good day. Today we are posting the 7th and final newsletter in the series The Forgotten Son; there was originally 7 parts to this series but over time Part 4 went missing. We pray that you will allow the Lord to fill in the missing part in your hearts as He ministers unto you as you partake of these newsletters. The Forgotten Son newsletters were written in 1996 by our dear brother, fellow steward and ambassador of the mystery of Christ, Larry Gazelka. Our prayer is that you will be blessed and encouraged by this newsletter series. Have a very blessed and prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. ***You can download a copy of the writings for personal use only by clicking on the Built Anew Ministries Archive page link above and scroll down to the year 1996.

The Forgotten Son!      Vol.18 No. 32
           “The Pickle!”
                   Part VII
  
Mark 16:15-20 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. 17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. 19 So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. 20 And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen. (KJV)
 
Jesus Christ told His disciples to take the gospel to all the world. The question is, how did they accomplish this; and more importantly, how do we?
 
The disciples did not make it to all the world! Does this mean that they failed in what Jesus Christ asked them to do? Not in the least bit! Let’s look at a few scriptures.
 
Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. (KJV)
 
2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (KJV)
 
Our taking of the gospel to all of the world, begins with where we are right now. It starts in our home, with the very people that are around us. We are to be written epistles, known and read of all men, starting with our own household. Why should anyone listen to us if our own house is in shambles?
 
Father has blessed us with the ability to send the Ministry newsletters around the world, even though we are still located in Montana. If we will let Father use us, there is no limitation to what He can accomplish through us.
 
Notice though, first off in Acts 1:8, that I have to be a witness unto Him! For some unknown reason, the church is being taught that we are to be witnesses to everyone else. This is not the case at all. I need to study for Father’s approval, not anyone else's! Do you know what it is to be a witness unto Father?
 
3144 martus-a witness: a) in a legal sense b) an historical sense, one who is a spectator of anything, for example, of a contest c) in an ethical sense, those who after his example have proved the strength and genuineness of their faith in Christ by undergoing a violent death.
 
I am to die to self, to allow His Word to be the ultimate thing in my life. I am to study for Father’s approval; not man’s, nor my pastor’s; nor anyone else. This is the example that I am to set. Being a martyr for His Word, will allow Father to use me in every facet of my life, as I live it totally for Him. A good example of this is in the book of Acts, let’s take a look at it. Read Acts 8:26-32.
 
Acts 8:26-29 And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert. 27 And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship, 28 Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet. 29 Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot. (KJV)
 
As we totally submit our life to Father through Jesus Christ, we will be ready to have an answer for every man that asks of the hope that is within us. Father will have the right words readily available for us. This is why the Word has to be such a part of our everyday life, not just once or twice a week.
 
In the above passage, we are able to see, how Philip in being willing to hear and obey Father, is able to bring the salvation to one person. Yet, what we fail to see and hear, is how many people did this eunuch have an effect on upon returning to Ethiopia? Sometimes we try to second guess the instructions that Father gives, because we are to busy rationalizing what we have been asked to do.
 
Mark 16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. (KJV)
 
4100  pisteuo- believeth; 1) to think to be true, to be persuaded of, to credit, to place confidence in  a) used of the thing believed, to credit, to have confidence  b) in a moral or religious reference  1) used in the New Testament of the conviction and trust to which a man is impelled by a certain inner and higher prerogative and law of soul  2) to trust in Jesus or God as able to aid either in obtaining or in doing something: saving faith  3) mere acknowledgment of some fact or event: intellectual faith  2) to entrust a thing to one, that is, his fidelity; to be intrusted with a thing.
 
907 baptizo- baptized; to overwhelm, Not to be confused with 0911, bapto. The clearest example that shows the meaning of baptizo is a text from the Greek poet and physician Nicander, who lived about 200 B. C. It is a recipe for making pickles and is helpful because it uses both words. Nicander says that in order to make a pickle, the vegetable should first be `dipped' (bapto) into boiling water and then `baptized' (baptizo) in the vinegar solution. Both verbs concern the immersing of vegetables in a solution. But the first is temporary. The second, the act of baptizing the vegetable, produces a permanent change.
 
When used in the New Testament, this word more often refers to our union and identification with Christ than to our water baptism. For example, Mark 16:16. `He that believes and is baptized shall be saved'. Christ is saying that mere intellectual assent is not enough. There must be a union with him, a real change, like the vegetable to the pickle! --Bible Study Magazine, James Montgomery Boice (May, 1989).
 
We have to affirm with our mouth and mind, the change that has taken place in our heart through Jesus Christ.
 
2 Corinthians 5:17-18 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; (KJV)
 
Just as the unseen characteristics of the cucumber changed when put into the vinegar solution; we are to be changed internally too. The Holy Spirit that we receive at the moment of the new birth, causes a change that can not be seen with the human eye. To everyone else, we may appear to be the same, but we know that a change has taken place. The inner man has become a new creation in Christ Jesus; old things have passed away; all things have become new!
 
If the pickle is taken out of the vinegar solution, it too will rot and spoil, just as the cucumber will if you just let it sit and it is not used for the purpose that it was intended for. It will take a little longer for the pickle to spoil, because of the change that has taken place. So, as we can see, we have to continue in the Word, being led by the Spirit of God, if we do not want to become unfit for the Master’s use.
 
Romans 8:9-10 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. (KJV)
 
Mark 16:17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; (KJV)
 
Have you allowed the Spirit of Christ to have total control of your life? Did you know that it is never too late, if you are still able to read this?
 
Allow the change in your life; just as the cucumber did, when it allowed the vinegar solution to do the work that it was to do. We too, have to allow the Holy Spirit to do the work that it wants to do in our life, but in our case, we have to allow Him to.
 
Have you been transformed as the cucumber was? It is the only way that you will be able to spend eternity with Father!
 
Will Jesus Christ be able to present your name to Father in his Book of Life?
  
That you may know Him
In the service of Jesus Christ
Larry Gazelka