The Church of Christ with the Elijah Message Blog

Message 30:3

“Thus says the Lord, I will not leave my people if they will keep my commandments and serve me as I have instructed you; yea, my Spirit touches the hearts of many who have no understanding of my law. I have heard the prayers of my people and all is in my hands.”

When things in this word are not going the way that we would like, all we have to do is remember to follow God’s commandments and things will be okay.  The spirit of the Lord touches each one of us, and if we follow it we will be blessed.  God is in control, so we should not worry or fret about how things are going to be done.  It is God’s plan, not ours. We are just pieces to the puzzle.

Psalms 100:1-5

A Psalm of praise. Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands. Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing. Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.”

Being thankful in our lives is very important.  I is God who gives us all that we have so we need to remember to thank him from time to time. It is reassuring that God in in control and will bless us if we follow him.

Here are yesterday’s sermon files

June 27, 2010 Darrel Bellamy

June 27, 2010 Terry Laws

It is easy to fall into a lull when we find everything around us normal and day to day. It is simple to find ourselves satisfied with where we are at in this life, when all around us is comfortable and running smoothly. It is normal to be content with our lives when everything seems to be in place. We find ourselves so comfortable when there is nothing to remind us that we are falling asleep.  Christ said it would be as in the days of Noah, when He returns. People were living normal lives, with work and play, with frolic and fun, with marrying and having children, and even with happiness and joy, then came the flood. Noah had warned them for one hundred years, and it became so mundane to hear the warnings they fell asleep; until the rain came. Sleep is a condition the Lord warned us of in Message 3:1-3, “Awake……Behold the Church has slept and slumbered…” Yet do we truly understand how often the Lord sent His Messenger and began with the word Awake?

Jesus said in Mark 13:36:  “Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping”.  Why do you suppose Christ allowed so many of the Messages began with Awake?

Your Brother in Christ,

Apostle Norman D. Lyles

From Brother Norm

Today, reading through the Church Blog, something struck me and made me think a bit. Sometimes we in America are a bit myopic in our thinking. In other words we think only about the Church as we view it in our own country. God has a slightly different view of the Church; as to Him the world is not divided up as man has made it, rather we are all His Children and all belong to Him. He rejoices when His Word in truth and in action, reach all of  His Children. Simply because we are not present where it may be happening, we may feel nothing important is happening when in truth; great things are transpiring and my friends: your brothers and sisters are having great things transpiring where they live and with whom they labor among today!

Message 71:7-8  reads: “Let the work continue in all parts of this land and the foreign fields. Up, ye servants of the Lord, live and speak the truth, and more light and joy will come to you as you prepare; and the greater your faith the greater your work and responsibility will be. Let the Lord’s Voice be heard. Let the translations continue. Let the message go to Jew and Gentile, bond and free, the dispersed and outcast, to Israel, that all may have a chance to hear the warning word.”

Greetings unto each of you in the Holy name of Our Lord Jesus Christ. May His Grace and His Peace be upon each of you who read this report? Truly God is Just and He is Faithful unto those who love and serve Him. Be ever mindful of the Lord whom we pray unto daily and in who each of us seek to find His Grace.

We begin this Report from Erode, India where we had journeyed to renew our relationship with a man we had sought to find in 2002, with Disciple Vimal Jaitley and Disciple K.K. Kapoor. Disciple Jaitley had brought him into the work and introduced him to the Word of the Lord. We had received little communication from this man, and when we traveled here in 2002, we were unable to locate him. This time we were successful and spent some time with gentleman and discussed his relationship unto the Lord and his efforts within the Lord’s Work. We spent several days laboring with him and reviewing the Scriptures with the man and also trying to help him in every way to expand his understanding of serving our Lord Jesus Christ as a fellow Christian. Not everything done in the missionary field always comes out as we would desire; and the man has chosen himself to serve the things of man, rather than the Lord. At his request, and his desire, we prayed with him and hope that one day he will come to a deeper understanding of what it means to be a Christian, other than simply having the name. We departed Erode and headed back for Chennai, India and our last few days in the south of India on the evening of the 13^th of June.

The next few days, before our departure to New Delhi, India; we spent laboring among the Christians in the Church of Christ with the Elijah Message. We met in the open air under a tarp and taught and preached unto the believers and those whom were interested in the Word of God. Our Brother Abraham translated for us as we taught and the people were filled and the Spirit of God was strong. Every day and every night many came unto us for prayer and needs. These good Christian folks had needs that only God could fulfill and through prayer and faith, these needs were met and clearly the folks felt the blessings of God received through deep and sincere prayer offered up on their behalf.

Most people only see photographs of India and have little understanding of the difficult conditions our brothers and sisters labor under. India has many, many wonderful people, yet very deep poverty and travel is to say the least difficult. In Chennai there is water rationing (one day per week they can get drinking water). Elsewhere in India, power blackouts are the norm, and not the exception. Sanitation is a constant problem and taking care of basic needs is no simple matter. In spite of all of these factors, our brothers and sisters remain joyful, pleasant, and always gracious unto those who come to share in the Word of God among them.

On Monday the 14^th of June, we were blessed to ordain and Evangelist, also named Abraham into the ministry and he had traveled several days to move here and meet with us before our return to New Delhi. He is a wonderful young man of thirty-seven years who is engaged to be married soon. He has a warm and friendly spirit and certainly will be a blessing and help to the work in Chennai. We also prayed for many families and individuals this night who were in need of healing and God provided such for all that came forward. I thank God for all that He provides (as each of us know it is Him who heals and not man), and it is always a joy and a blessing to witness the Power and Grace of God at work.

On the 15^th of June, as we were preparing to depart for New Delhi, a fine young couple came for prayer, requesting the Lord provide a child for their marriage of ten years. We were honored to pray for them and will continue to do so in the days to come. We then met with Abraham and his family to bid them farewell, as we departed for our train and the two and half day ride to New Delhi, India.

The ride was uneventful and somewhat relaxing, as the train was air conditioned and that was a pleasant surprise! I caught up on some paper work and also sent some needful messages to the Brothers in Africa, concerning a soon to be trip for our disciples to Rwanda. They will be traveling to that nation to help Disciple Alexander with the efforts in that great nation. I am thankful for the quality of the men who make up the ministry among the nations of this world. Men and women, who hazard their lives, their health, and do it so unselfishly, devote themselves unto the people with the love of God. Some may not understand the depth of those words, however; God full well knows the courage and love of these Disciples who serve him willingly and always in humility.

Arriving in New Delhi on the 17^th of June, in the early morning hours; we could still feel the heat as we left the train and rode to Disciple Jaitley’s home. Our brother has so graciously traveled with us and sought in every way to care for us and along with Disciple Kapoor, have made our journey a blessed time in India. The average temperature in India has stayed in the high 90’s and 100’s, but today was special as the temperature reached 120 degrees! It set a new record of New Delhi in June and for us it was also a new high.

On Sunday we taught on the Church Foundation at the Disciple’s request and would do so again on Monday the 19^th of June. Being taught is a relatively new experience for the people in India who usually listen to preaching.  Teaching gives them an opportunity to ask questions, make comments, and truly understand the things they have accepted and believe. Pastor and Disciple Jai-singh, expressed his deep gratitude for the teaching. He said in India a lot of people come and need to be taught, but as a whole, they have not participated in any real teachings concerning the Doctrine of Christ or His Church.  It leaves them desperately needful of some solid grounding in the foundation of their belief and their relationship unto Christ Jesus. The people also voiced their gratitude for the teaching and were enthusiastic about the things they learned and received. It was a real joy to witness the acceptance and understanding of the Word of the Lord among God’s people. The New Delhi is about forty members in number and sometimes 50 with guests. They are very well served with several elders, some disciples and a sweet spirit of love throughout the Local. On Monday night we ordained Sita Ram Arya to the responsibility of Elder and he is an excellent man who labors in the secular world as a Policeman, in charge of security for state functions.

On the 22^nd of June we traveled to the home of Disciple Jai-singh and he and his lovely wife prepared us an American meal and we studied well into the night on the Tribulation and the Church’s teaching concerning the tribulation and the views of some churches concerning the rapture. We also covered the Lord’s Supper and properly serving of it and conducting the service in general. It was a blessed evening and we were able to share in many good things. The following evening we traveled to the Jitender Raj, where we were taught on Baptism and answered many questions they had concerning the subject. This wonderful couple, has a son, and are members of the Church, and are a real blessing to know and fellowship with.

On the 24^th we went to lunch with the pastor Jai-singh and his wife and Brother Kapoor and Brother Vimal. We finished our packing and prepared to depart this night for the Philippines. We would arrive at 2:30 in the afternoon of the 25^th to begin the work in the Philippines.

We were blessed with many wonderful visits and services in India and we shall be eternally grateful for all the fine Brothers and Sisters who made our time in India success and a joy. In spite of the heat (which every day was over 100 degrees) it was good to labor among the people and share in the Word of the Lord with precious souls who love the Lord and desire to have a closer walk in Christ. We continue to thank those who have kept us in your prayers and thoughts. At times, the work has not been easy, and at times we have known hardships, but through your prayers and support we have also known the blessings of God in our journey and have shared in the healings and miracles He has performed. May God Bless each of you as you  read this report and may you understand a bit more about your fellow members in other nations  and  the workings of the Holy Spirit within those areas. I close in the Joy and Peace of the Lord. I will write again from the Philippines.

You’re Brother in Christ,

Apostle Norman D. Lyles

From Br. Norm

The Lord Jesus commanded his Apostles in Matthew 28:19, “Go ye therefore, and teach…….”, and continued in verse 20, “Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you…”  Jesus Christ wanted his Apostles to teach and that was their first responsibility; not to preach or any other thing. I am amazed at the lack of understanding among people in the ministry concerning this subject. Ministers of the Gospel love to preach, but few like to teach, yet that is what is most needful and commanded of our Lord Jesus Christ.

In the Record of Nephites, the book of Jacob 1:19, tells us, “…taking upon the responsibility of the sins of the people upon our own heads, if we did not teach them the word of God with all diligence.”  Again we find it a responsibility of importance to teach the word of God.

In Message 9:4 was plain in its instruction saying, “But remember, this work is sacred, the work that you shall do. Therefore, be humble in all that you do and say, for God looks upon the heart, and only the pure in heart are acceptable to Him. By your lives and by your teaching you must prepare a people who shall be worthy to meet Christ at his coming.”  Did you notice that it is a responsibility to teach and prepare a people through teaching for the Lord’s coming? Did you notice that was not only Christ’s first commandment, but also one of the first things commanded in the Word of the Lord brought to mankind through the Elijah Message?

See Second Corinthians 1:21-22, “Now he which stablish us with you in Christ, and anointed us, is God. Who hath sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.” Established by what we have been taught that the Holy Spirit may bring it to mind and sealed it in our foreheads that we might have the mark of the Lord in our heads and our hands, because we obey and do the work of the Lord which is in our heads.

Matthew 16:26-27

“For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.”

Worldly possessions should mean nothing to us.  I know keeping up with the Jones’ is fun, but in the end what good does it do.  We need to focus on the prize at hand, our salvation, not our mortal life.  This life that we live in is only temporary, but the next stage is not.

From Brother Norm

Often times in my travels as a missionary; I am pleased to discover that those in “foreign fields”, whom we in America sometimes think of as new converts and new to the work of the Lord; in truth could easily be excellent examples of faith unto we in America. Their faith, steadfastness in the Word and courage in proclaiming the Word among the world would humble most of the ministry in America, who sometimes are not so quick to move out among the world around them and proclaim the Word, in part because of the fear of rejection of the hearer.

The Record of Nephites, book of Helaman 6:4-5 “And it came to pass that many of the Lamanites did come down into the land of Zarahemia and did declare unto the people of the Nephites the manner of their conversion, and did exhort them to faith and repentance; Yea, and many did preach with exceeding great power and authority, unto the bringing down many of them into the depths of humility; to be the humble followers of God and the Lamb.”

Just an update, today we mail books to several places in India, and England. We also sent other things to several other people in Kenya and the United States.  The word is going out to the people, thank to the Lord for that.

From Brother Norm

Message 73:6 tells us, “The Lord knoweth the hearts of mankind and wherein they desire to learn and do His will, it shall be like a precious ointment poured out upon the faithful to dwell in this light and salvation. For unto them, shall be great joy, that which the mind of man has not yet attained to.”

I must wonder in my heart, how often we truly understand the Lord knows our hearts and our thoughts. I walk among many wonderful people in this land called India and I find many who truly desire to learn of the Lord and His Will. As it becomes plain and clear as a crystal unto them, their very countenance changes and the joy within them becomes quite evident. Do we understand ourselves the kind of blessing that comes from God knowing our hearts and finding it pleasing unto Him?

Here are today’s sermon files.

June 20, 2010 Edward Coffey

June 20, 2010 Tim Gosier

“ What have I done?

This is the day the Lord has made let us rejoice and be glad in it. I write to you this day with love in my heart and the desire to serve the Lord. I tell myself that every day. Then I ask myself. What have I done to get the word of God to the people? We read and study the word of God but we keep it among ourselves. That is not what God commanded us to do. He said to take His word to the World.

Matt.28:18 & 19. Go ye therefore, and teach all Nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

He called us to take His gospel to the world, to our friends and neighbors, to every soul. We pray for the return of the Messenger but what have we done with what we have?

Msg. 83:17. This is the Midnight Cry. Come, join ye to the rest and peace the Lord can give. Go ye to meet the Lord-in service to the people. Your reward shall be sure.

Msg. 22:18. Oh man, that profess the name of the Lord, remember the eyes of the Lord are upon you: you cannot continue in your unrighteous ways before the Lord your who has created thee. He is long suffering and full of mercy, but He will reward thee as thy works will be.

Msg. 81:9. Add to your faith knowledge, wisdom and obedience in all things, hope in eternal salvation,

Msg. 46:8. This is a day of haste when my work must be done. Those that will heed and obey I will bless, those that will not will loose in the end. Some have grieved me because of man’s traditions, hardness of heart and sin, causing my work to suffer. Some will yet repent while others will go to destruction. Those that do not defend this cause have no part in this work. Let them know they must repent to do my will. Be watchful for it is my voice they oppose, and my design they deny. In their hearts they have rejected the message I have brought from time to time and they are not willing to be directed by mine angel I have sent.

Msg. 81:30. Let the work continue everywhere, far and near. Let all take courage for the Lord has sent me. I am your fellow servant. I bring the warning of Christ coming and instructions of His will to the Church.

Msg. 46:10. “Blessed are the meek and all those that consecrate themselves unto Me. I will be with them, saith your Lord, and stand you in holy places, protecting you when the great indignation cometh. You shall be called mine when I make up my jewels.”

Please read that verse again very slow and listen to what the Lord is saying to us. There is a warning and there is a promises and if we are not doing His will we will loose. Let us move this day for the Lord. Remember the Lord said that no man know the day or the hour the Lord will come. When will you draw your last berth?

Msg. 46:9. Yea behold, I forgive those that repent and walk humbly before me. Yea, my sheep know my voice and they will hear when I call upon them. How is it that some say they love me, yet deny and oppose my design? Know ye not that I know your thoughts and intents of your heart? Why call ye me Lord, Lord, and do not the things I say? Verily, I say not all such shall enter my rest: for in their traditions they have gone astray. They shall not have voice or vote in my work of the Church of Christ.

Msg. 81:12. Fear not what man may say of you and your work. There are those when they hear will go all the way with you and the Message I bring.

Msg. 82:17. Peace like a river of pure waters will flow to all the faithful that heed and obey. Give to them the words I bring. Let gladness and peace in God be in your hearts and the oppressors will fade away. 18. Seek to save. Seek to remove the doubts, lest it destroy the doubter.

Msg. 88:36. Satan knows his time is short and he will work to destroy all that he can. He will work to hinder and deceive and lay stumbling blocks for mankind to fall over. He will puff up in pride and he will discourage in hope, and hinder the faith of many if you do not watch and pray. Have faith in the words of the prophets and the Lord and what I bring and he will not have power over you. 37. Therefore come against him, break his yoke by true belief and study the word-obey the Lord’s Spirit and make ready.

Msg. 88:25. Be glad and rejoice ye wise men, ye that claim to be leaders, obey and your work will come higher in greatness if you heed what I have to say.

Msg. 113: 3&4. This Message is to the appointed and anointed ones of this work to be taken to all the world. All that hear and obey will find peace to their souls. My message is one of love to all that obey it. (4.) The Lord Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life. He is the Savior, Redeemer and King of all mankind. All that hear and obey have right to the Tree of Life and Eternity. His Glory shall overshadow them.

Msg.105:13. To My servants, saith the Lord, come together in love, open the way, hear the Words I send by My Messenger, Obey them and it will be well with you.

We can walk around with a million dollars in our pockets and if we don’t use it to help other people what good is it? Now you just think of what God has put in our pockets. Are we going to give it to the people, or keep it in our pockets? What are we going to do? Give and live or keep it and die. Its our choice, God want force us. But He said that He would require it of us.

May the spirit of Christ touch each heart and cause an awaking to Gods commands.

What have I done?

Yours in Christ,

Apostle Larry T. Gosier Williams.

Message 73:5

“Let the faithful take courage and lift up, for the authority and trust is placed upon you and you have not denied. But those that are full of doubts, fears, envy and revenge shall not stand. Those that speak lightly of the words I bring shall not be numbered with you. Let their names be removed for they are not a part of those that love truth. Yet they say, ‘We love the Lord,’ and do scatter seeds of evil all the day long. They worketh to destroy and know not the Lord’s words and will. Their minds are darkened and they see not because of their traditions. Therefore the traditions and sins of men have ruled their lives and do destroy them because they will not repent.”

We must walk the walk and not just talk the talk.  Our actions speak louder then any of our words do.  We can follow both man and God, one or the other.  Lets follow God.

Alma 38:14

“Do not say: O God, I thank thee that we are better than our brethren; but rather say: O Lord, forgive my unworthiness, and remember my brethren in mercy—yea, acknowledge your unworthiness before God at all times.”

We need to remember that we are not better than any other people.  We have to stay humble and obedient. Just because we follow the plan of God does not make us more deserving of God’s love.  He loves all people equally. No matter how much we strive to serve God, there is always more that we can do.  So let us keep trying.

Galatians 3:1-3

“O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you? This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?”

The law had become full of man made tradition when Christ  was born.  But he removed us from the law and allowed us a way to heaven through him.  How ever since Christ set up his gospel, man has once again added his own tradition.  For what gain? Did Christ make a mistake when he set it up.  I don’t think so.  Why do people feel the need to follow tradition over the truth? Is the ideas of man going to save them? Do they not trust God? Are they afraid what others will think? Like Christ said “the truth will make you free”

Here are last Sundays files.  Enjoy

June 13, 2010 Bill Holden

June 13, 2010 Terry Laws

Message 38:2

Therefore, thus saith the Lord your God to the humble, the honest in heart, to those that seek for truth and righteousness: Come out of her lest ye suffer with the ungodly, and partake of her punishment; for my wrath is against the ungodly, against the liars and hypocrites and those that count my commandments as naught. I have sent the destroyer and devourer in the land, and I will punish the nations and the inhabitants of the earth, that they may become humble and inquire about me and my commandments.

God is not going to punish the people that follow him. God is going to punish the people that pretend to follow him.  God does not care how much we disobey him, that we disobey is enough.  Let us each study and find the truth in the words that we have and follow it.  Remember each person is on their own and we can’t take mans word for any thing.

From Brother Norm

God said in Revelation 22:2 “In the Midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yeilded her fruit every month; and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.” Then Message 84:20 said, “When mankind will learn of me, he shall be lifted from darkness unto light and power—-and hearing me I will hear him and heal your souls and your lands”

There is no doubt as we travel the world that there is a huge need for healing of the nations. Poverty, war, coruption, unstable governments, financial troubles everywhere, and darkness in the mind of men. All these are simply facts of life that exist. From the throne of God and the Lamb comes His Message and His Love for a healing  — the only healing that has hope and security and Power. Will mankind awaken from a deep sleep or will it be as in the days of Noah?

Message 39:4-7

“I am the Elias which was for to come. I am John the Baptist, the Messenger of the Lord. The earth shall be filled with the light that I bring and have brought from the Lord God. Will the people heed it, that their feet might be guided in the way of peace and be led out of darkness and contention and away from the shadow of death? ‘Thus saith the Lord: Many that profess my name have sinned and gone astray. They have counted that which is holy, not holy, and my commandments they have forgotten. For one hundred years much of my design and law you have turned aside. Return unto me and I will return unto you.  Hear ye! Hear ye! I am establishing my Kingdom to never again be overthrown and it shall fill the whole earth, and all men will obey me for out of Zion shall the gospel be taught and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.  Heed ye my words, even the voice of my messenger. Make ready for I your Lord soon comes to claim all that know and obey my voice.”

In this passage John tells us that he is the Elias (Elijah in Greek) and the messenger sent from the Lord.  Also God gives us a warning to all people.  We have to follow his commandments and not our sinful ways.  We need follow the words of God and not man made traditions.  That means we might have to go against the grain, but right and popular are very seldom the same.