God says He knows those who are His, because they have answered the call and are responding. But is this the only requirement that God requires of us? How do we think of ourselves in regard to our calling? Are we active in drawing close to our Creator?
Kalon Mitchell
Expectancy Theory
There is a theory that was promoted in the early 1960s, called the “Expectancy Theory.” In short, it is about the mental process around choice or choosing. It helps to explain the processes that an individual goes through in order to make choices. It also supposes that individuals will behave in a certain way, because they are motivated to choose a specific behavior over another, due to what they expect the result of their selected behavior to be. To put it another way, their actions are guided by what they hold to be true and by their expectation that the outcome(s) of their choice(s) will directly have impacts on them. They become motivated by their choices and the outcomes of those choices.
While this is a theory, in part it should hold true for us in our Christian lives. Look at Paul’s prayer for the Ephesians in Ephesians 3:14-21. He held that people who had been called would be rooted in the truth and experience true Godly love in their lives. They could expect these things because they made choices that were motivated by God’s promises.
Look at the trial of Stephen in Acts 7. He gave example after example of the fathers of old who had this same expectancy of God, doing exactly as He had promised them. And yet, the religious leaders of that time were not making the correct choices. In fact, Stephen calls them out on the carpet in verses 51-53: “You stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit; as your fathers did, so do you. Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who foretold the coming of the Just One, of whom you now have become the betrayers and murderers, who have received the law by the direction of angels and have not kept it.”
In Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23, we have the parable of the sower. And we read that while people have choices, often times they make the wrong ones because they have not fully invested in and truly caught the true picture. Yet, we also read of those who do get it. Their labor is great and their harvest is also great. Those are the choices that we should be making every day. So many times we are warned, exhorted and encouraged by the apostle Paul to be steadfast in the way that we have chosen to live (compare 1 Thessalonians 5:6-26). Note how Paul encourages the entire church in this regard. It’s not a one man effort. Yes, each is responsible for their own actions (and thereby the outcome), but as Paul is pointing out, there is a dire need for each person to be strengthening each other as well as praying for each other.
As we are growing in Christ’s grace and knowledge, we should become more and more motivated and captivated that this is the right Way of Life. There should be no doubt in our minds as to whether or not this is the true Way. In so doing, our actions and hearts will be motivated, as we read in 1 John 3:18-24. This has to be our motivation and truly what we should strive to do.
Press Release
Church of the Eternal God Announces New StandingWatch Program, “The Dark Side of Christmas!”
San Diego, CA. — December 15, 2015 — The Church of the Eternal God announces the availability of its new StandingWatch Program, “The Dark Side of Christmas!” which focuses on the real truth behind Christmas celebrations and customs.
Many would be shocked to learn that the celebrations around Christmas originate in a time long before the birth of Christ. In fact, while many people may think they are commemorating Christ’s birth and celebrating the “joy” of the season, they are actually paying homage to pagan customs connected to evil spirits, concepts and figures.
The truth is, Christ wasn’t even born on December 25th, and the original purpose of the celebration was to honor pagan deities, such as the Persian sun god Mithras, who was “born” on December 25. Further, all of the traditions surrounding Christmas such as gifts, Santa Claus and the Christmas tree are not only pagan customs that have been adopted by Orthodox Christianity, but observance of such practices are an abomination in the eyes of God.
Evangelist Norbert Link explained: “Observing pagan customs in an attempt to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, customs of which He was never a part of in the first place and which are actually honoring and worshipping demons, is wrong and is plainly prohibited in the Bible. It is incredibly clear that God commands us not to worship Him in this way. We read in Matthew 15:7–9 that we worship Christ in a vain way when we teach as doctrines the commandments of men.”
Find out more about the dark side of Christmas at www.EternalGod.org.
About Church of the Eternal God
The Church of the Eternal God in the United States—with its operations around the world, including Die Kirche des Ewigen Gottes (in German-speaking areas), the Church of God, a Christian Fellowship (Canada) and the Global Church of God (United Kingdom)—exist to fulfill the Work which Jesus Christ has given to His Church. It is through the fruit of unity in God’s Holy Spirit that we strive to be of one mind in doctrine, purpose and practice.
We conduct weekly Sabbath services with an emphasis on live transmissions over the internet and in local congregations where possible. We also observe annual biblical Holy Days as commanded by God.
We maintain websites for access to our published materials; to present Church messages in English and German (both recorded and live); to publicly proclaim the gospel of the Kingdom of God through our literature, sermons and the StandingWatch programs (including the German language program, AufPostenStehen); to make available our weekly Update; and to provide spiritual assistance and guidance to both Church members and any whom God may call to salvation at this time. For more information, please visit www.EternalGod.org.
Contact Information
Church of the Eternal God
1-760-788-8033
contact@eternalgod.org
www.EternalGod.org
Copyright ©2015 EternalGod.org. All Rights Reserved.
The Need for Fasting
Just like our need for physical food, we also need spiritual food. Fasting is one of the things that helps us to draw close to God to be able to receive this spiritual food. How often then do we actually fast? Do we think that fasting is as important as prayer and Bible study? How should we approach fasting?
Which Path?
We are told many times in the Bible to stay on the right path. That requires us knowing which path that is. Our choices must be based on how God tells us how to live our lives.
Press Release
Church of the Eternal God Announces Availability of Booklet, “Heavens and Earth…Before and After the First Man!”
San Diego, CA. — November 3, 2015 — The Church of the Eternal God announces the availability of its free booklet, “Heavens and Earth…Before and After the First Man!” This booklet focuses on the many puzzling questions pertaining to the ancient history of planet earth, the history of man, and the purpose of the existence of mankind.
Was there a world prior to Adam, and if so, what did it look like? Is everything that exists simply the product of an accidental “evolutionary” process or did God really create everything within the frame of a master plan? These questions seem to only provoke a confusing array of responses rather than reasonable and sensible answers. However, a search of the Bible provides real answers to these and many other questions.
While scientists believe there is proof the beginning of the universe began with a “big bang”, the Bible shows us something altogether different. God says in Genesis 1:1, “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” The New Testament confirms these claims in Hebrews 11:3, “By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.” Hebrews 1:10 tells us, “You, LORD, in the beginning laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands.” Again, we are told that it was God who brought into existence everything there is.
The Bible clearly shows that God is the Creator of all things, but what exactly did He create? Did God create voracious dinosaurs and other vicious creatures? If He did not create them in that aggressive state, how and why did they become like that? Is it possible that some of them survived? Is it possible that the Loch Ness Monster or Ogopogo really exist? Could creatures such as Bigfoot, Sasquatch or Yeti exist today? How long has man existed?
The author of the booklet, Evangelist Norbert Link explained: “The Bible provides answers to the many questions man has around his existence and the cohabitants of this Earth. To truly and fully understand what God reveals in the Bible and how these truths relate to the history of man and beyond, one must be of an open mind and have a willing attitude. Obedience to God is the unfaltering key that is necessary if we really do want to understand the great picture that includes the 7,000 year plan for mankind and beyond.”
Join us in this interesting search of the Bible to find answers at www.EternalGod.org.
About Church of the Eternal God
The Church of the Eternal God in the United States—with its operations around the world, including Die Kirche des Ewigen Gottes (in German-speaking areas), the Church of God, a Christian Fellowship (Canada) and the Global Church of God (United Kingdom)—exist to fulfill the Work which Jesus Christ has given to His Church. It is through the fruit of unity in God’s Holy Spirit that we strive to be of one mind in doctrine, purpose and practice.
We conduct weekly Sabbath services with an emphasis on live transmissions over the internet and in local congregations where possible. We also observe biblical Holy Days as commanded by God.
We maintain websites for access to our published materials; to present church messages in English and German (both recorded and live); to publicly proclaim the gospel of the Kingdom of God through the StandingWatch programs (including the German language program, AufPostenStehen); to make available our weekly Update; and to provide spiritual assistance and guidance to both Church members and any whom God may call to salvation at this time. For more information, please visit www.EternalGod.org.
Contact Information
Church of the Eternal God
1-760-788-8033
contact@eternalgod.org
www.EternalGod.org
Copyright ©2015 EternalGod.org. All Rights Reserved.
Humility Through Pain
I had the unpleasant experience the other week of going to the emergency room. Thankfully, it did not end up as an emergency. However, it was during that trip that I couldn’t help but notice the other people around me who were suffering in obvious pain, some more than others. I thought back to the Feast of Tabernacles. This year we enjoyed, for the most part, health and well-being at the Feast. We recognize that the Feast pictures, among other things, a time when sickness and disease will be a thing of the past. It made me sad to see these sick people.
In the subsequent days that followed, I also began to see another lesson emerge. Thinking back on my time in the Emergency Room, I found it interesting how Christ had compassion for sick people (Matthew 14:14). We in God’s Church ought to have that same compassion for others. In Matthew 9:12-13 we read that it is the sick that need healing. But Christ went on to say that compassion was more useful than sacrifices.
When we go through physical pain and suffering, it is an opportunity for us to do a few things. God sometimes uses physical pain and suffering as an opportunity to help us draw closer to Him. Think of the Apostle Paul whom God blinded for a few days (Acts 9:9). Think of King Hezekiah, who was told he was going to die (Isaiah 38:1-5). What about the grievous trial Job went through, including the loss of family, possessions and health, leading to genuine repentance (Job 42:5-6). Just using these three examples, out of many, one of the main outcomes was that of humility. They each learned in a different fashion what it means to come to have Godly humility.
This new-found humility allowed God to work with them in even more powerful ways. God gave compassion to these men once they turned fully to Him. God HAS called us NOW (Isaiah 55:6-9). No matter what God tells us and what may be at stake—when we turn to Him with humility, He can and will forgive us. He will have compassion for us, His children (Isaiah 44:22).
Our physical sufferings can be for our benefit and for the benefit of others, if we stop and carefully consider our ways, and if we take the opportunity to find compassion and empathy for others who go through similar suffering. Let us never forget that God loves the humble person, who is willing to lean on Him for all things, including our physical health and well-being.
The Greatest
The greatest people in the world, the most brilliant minds, the most talented & the strongest, what do they have in common? The biggest buildings, the most amazing mechanics, the latest piece of technology, plays out to what end? We live in an age that values these types of things. But in the end what happens to all of this? Do we stop and ask ourselves the really important questions? What do we place our value in?
Imitate
From childhood we are taught to imitate the things that we see. The Bible often tells us that we are to become as little children, with the ability to walk in Christ’s foot steps, as He left us examples to do so. The Apostle Paul was intimately aware of this and begged people to follow after Christ. Imitation is of the utmost importance if we learn to do it correctly with God leading us the whole way.
On What to Focus
The Bible speaks many times of the rejoicing that was done when the Law of God was once again being taught. It is incredible to see the reaction and the Joy that came along with them doing so. This Joy is something that we have to be mindful of keeping up. It comes from whole-heartedly seeking God’s way of life. Joyfulness is such a powerful tool that we can use to stay strong.