In God's Image! - Part 5

Good day. Today we are posting Part 5 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!     v18n51
Part Five


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)


Hebrews 11:6-7 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. 7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith. (KJV)


Are you beginning to see and comprehend yet, that our words do frame our world that is around us? Each of us as an individual, created in the image and likeness of God, are responsible for the words that comes out of our mouth. It is not what goes in through the mouth that defiles a man, but rather that which proceeds forth out of his mouth that defiles him.


Matthew 15:17-20 Do not ye yet understand, that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth goeth into the belly, and is cast out into the draught? 18 But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. 19 For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: 20 These are the things which defile a man: (KJV)


It is real easy to become defensive of the words that we use and speak in our every day life. We try to justify what, and how, and why we are speaking the words that we do. We have to keep fresh in our hearts and minds, that we as an individual, will give account of the words that we speak. This is God’s Word!


While watching TV the other night; I was watching a program called Chicago Hope. In the course of the program, the doctors had lied to their patients, and told them what their patients wanted to hear, rather than what they had needed to hear. This is what the doctors took upon themselves, as to what they thought was in the best interests of the patients. In many ways, this reminded me of the way that the preachers handle the Word of God. They tell the people what they think that they need to hear, rather than the truth.


After watching the program, it caused me to ponder a bit, the shape of our society in general. If you go to the majority of car dealerships, and you explain to them what you want and need, it is like they do not even hear what you say. Instead, they want to sell you that which benefits them the most. Your interests and needs are not even considered, unless you get ready to leave.


Just as the other day, we went out to buy a new washing machine. We stopped at several stores, and in each instance, they did not hear what we had to say about what we wanted, but rather tried to sell us that which made them the most money, not even considering our needs. In all but one instance, they tried to sell us the top of the line models, which made the most money for the store and the salesman.


Is it any different within the denominations today? It seems that we only consider those to be successful who are the ones with the biggest buildings, or the biggest body counts, and/or doing the Lord’s work.


If this is the case, then Jesus Christ was a total failure, for there were only about 120 waiting in the upper room for the promise of the Holy Spirit. Could it be that we have our priorities as the Church all wrong? For the most part, we do not know what the truth of the Word is!


John 8:31-32 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; 32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. (KJV)


John 4:23-24 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. 24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. (KJV)


It is the truth of the Word that sets us free. This freedom is maintained, only as we continue in the Word of God. It is only through the truth that we are able to maintain fellowship with Father. Yet, our country as a whole, no longer knows how to live by and for the truth.


Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God. Doubt and fear comes by hearing the words and lies of the devil, who is the father of lies. We are either operating in faith or fear, there is no middle ground, or fence to straddle. The Word tells us quite plainly, that either the tree is good, or it is corrupt, no in between!


Matthew 7:13-15 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. 15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. (KJV)


We need to constantly remind ourselves, that it is a broad path, and heavily traveled, that leads away from Father’s house. This is the path that leads to eternal destruction. It is a narrow and hard path that leads to eternal life, and there are few that have chosen to travel that road.


Romans 10:10-11 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. (KJV)


In most instances, if you will listen to someone’s words for five minutes, you are able to discern and tell exactly where their heart is. What is in their heart is what will be coming out of their mouth. The tongue will give a total and complete narrative of where their heart is, and what has been renewing it.


This is why we as Christians, have to be aware of the words that we speak and put forth; as well as to be knowledgeable of the meanings of these words. How often have you been told, or even told someone else that they look fantastic? Did you really mean it?


Fantastic: existing only in fantasy; unreal; imaginary; bizarre; strange.


Is this really what you were trying to convey? How often do we use words that we do not know the meaning of? We think that we do; or we have heard someone else use them, so we assume that they are proper or okay. Just because someone else taught us wrong, is not an excuse that will stand up before Father. Each of us, is responsible for the words that we speak, just as we are responsible for our own salvation. God is very real! God’s kingdom is very real! There is nothing imaginary about it. Will you be a part of it, or will your words keep you out?


How well would you have handled being one of the half brothers or sisters of Jesus Christ? (Especially since we know that He was without sin His entire life). Do you think that they were ever corrected for the words that they spoke? We have a hard enough time with the brethren around us, imagine if you can, what that would have been like.


What kind of world do your words have you living in?


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


Next week: In God’s Image!  part 6