In God's Image! - Part 6

Good day. Today we are posting Part 6 the final newsletter 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!     v18n52
Part Six


Matthew 13:19 When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. (KJV)


191  akouo- heareth: 1) to be endowed with the faculty of hearing (not be deaf) 2) to hear:  a) to attend to, to consider what is or has been said  b) to understand, to perceive the sense of what is said  3) to hear something: a) to perceive by the ear what is announced in one's presence  b) to get by hearing, to learn  c) a thing that comes to one's ears, to find out, to learn  e) to give ear to a teaching or a teacher  f) to comprehend, to understand.


4920  suniemi- understandeth: 1) to set or to bring together; in a hostile sense, used of combatants  2) to put (as it were) the perception with the thing perceived; to set or to join together in the mind  a) that is, to understand: the man of understanding b) idiom for: a good and upright man (having the knowledge used of those things which pertain to salvation)


726  harpazo- catch away: 1) to seize, to carry off by force 2) to seize on, to claim for oneself eagerly  3) to snatch out or to snatch away.


Father, is a God of faith! By faith, we understand and know that the worlds were framed by the Word of God. Without faith, it is impossible to please Father! He, Father, rewards those that diligently seek Him.


1567  ekzeteo- diligently: 1) to seek out, search for  2) to seek out, that is, to investigate, to scrutinize  3) to seek out for oneself, to beg, to crave 4) to demand back, to require.


Faith is by hearing, hearing and giving full attention to Father as He speaks to us. When Father speaks to you, do you block out all disturbances and distractions, that might hinder you from hearing Father’s instructions in righteousness for you?


So then, if we are created in God’s image, and after their likeness, we are to be people of faith! Faith in God, and in His Word. How real is God’s Word to you?
 
Romans 12:3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. (KJV)


Ephesians 4:4-7 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; 5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. 7 But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.  (KJV)


Can God force you to believe? Since the answer is no; then it is totally in your hands, whether or not your faith in God’s Word will develop at all. It is totally up to you, whether or not the devil will be able to come in and catch away the Word which was sown in your heart. No man can take away that which has been delivered to you; but, you can surrender that which you have! How firm of a grip do you have on the Word of God?


How often do you believe all that you read in the Bible? Is it God’s Word from cover to cover for you? Is Father thanked and honored for all of the blessings that have come upon you?


Romans 1:21-24 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22  Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. 24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts,… (KJV)


Whenever we doubt Father’s Word, we exchange the truth for a lie! We put more credence in the physical world, than we do in God’s Word. What image is it that is in the forefront of our mind? What is the priority in your life, right now, at this very moment? What is it that is occupying your mind at this very moment?


Romans 8:28-29 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. 29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. (KJV)


What is God’s purpose for your life? If you are not sure of God’s purpose for your life, how can you then be conformed to the image of His Son?


Romans 12:1-2 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. (KJV)


Is your life a living sacrifice to God? What are the guidelines for your life; the world’s way, or God’s Word? What is it that renews your mind each day? Are you sure enough of Father’s voice, to know His will for you each and every day? All of Father’s counsel, will cause mental and moral growth in your life, in accordance with His Word.


2 Corinthians 3:16-18 Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away. 17 Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. 18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. (KJV)


What changes are taking place in your life? What do people see in your life? Is it what you have accomplished, or what Father has done by His Spirit, as we allow the Word to work in us? What do you see when you look in the mirror?


2 Corinthians 4:1-2 Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; 2 But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. (KJV)


Have we fainted, or backed away from the things that Father has asked of us? Have we quit being dishonest with the Word? Have we quit using the Word for our personal gain? Do we get people to try to conform to our image, or to Father’s image?


2 Corinthians 4:3-6 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: 4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. 5 For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake. 6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. (KJV)


Who is the gospel hid from? Has your mind been blinded? How can the mind be blinded? What does blinded here mean?


Did you notice, that it is the god of this world, that blinds the minds of them that chose to believe not. This present world is one of flesh and blood. Physical senses and the trappings that go along with it. These are the things that govern this present world.


John 17:14-18 I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. 16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. 18 As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world. (KJV)


Is it the light of the glorious gospel of Christ that is illuminating your mind? It is this message, and this message alone, that can enlighten you, and bring unity to the body of Christ. It causes those that will believe, to be an integral part of the body of Christ while they are here on this earth.


Will you; or are you allowing the Word to conform and transform you into a working member of the body of Christ?


Hebrews 1:1-3 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, 2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; 3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; (KJV)


It is the express image of His person! It does not say images, but rather singular. One Lord, one faith, one baptism; and all by the measure of the gift of Christ!


What image do you see when you look in the mirror?
   
That you may know Him
In the service of Jesus Christ
Larry Gazelka