Did you ever stop to consider the creation of man?  Moses described the event just as God revealed it to him, in Genesis, the book of beginnings.  “And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. (Genesis 2:7)”  The words “living soul” describe the life that lives within the body.  The Creator tells us that the soul of man is eternal—it will live forever, somewhere.

  Though some seem to struggle with the concept of creation, it is perfectly logical to believe that the human body, with all of its intricacies and complex systems, did not happen by chance. Nor could these exist without the intervention of intelligence and power that is otherwise unknown to man.  Once we cross this first hurdle, there is a second; we must explain the balance of nature with its innumerable forms of life and natural laws that boggle the minds of scientists and yet operate in silent perfection to sustain the life that is at home on Earth.  It is certainly logical to admit that the vastness and complexity of what we observe through our natural vision, our microscopes and telescopes, could be nothing less than the work of a Great Designer.  What would you call such a Being?  There must be Eternal, Omnipotent God.  The existence of all of creation demands it, the Bible declares it, and thousands upon thousands have surrendered their hearts and lives to Him for a lifetime, with no regrets.

  As giver and sustainer of life, God’s plan is as complex as His Being, but He gives us a glimpse into His unique purpose through His Word: “For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: (Colossians 1:16)”  The Biblical evidence is irrefutable, you and I were created for God!  Soon after the creation the Bible tells us that sin separated us from God.  But not to worry, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16)”

  The scriptures are clear, “…he (God) hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness (Acts 17:31)”  On that day, every soul that has inhabited the earth, from the beginning of time, will be reunited with its resurrected body to stand face to face with the Almighty and give account for the deeds done in their body. “…it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: (Hebrews 9:27)”  

  But the phrase Judgment Day can be misleading.  Actually, a judgment program has been charted for the last days.  It includes the judgment of Israel (God’s covenant people), a judgment of the Gentile nations, of fallen angels, of men who don’t know God on His terms, and a special judgment for those who do.  Your name is on the docket for one of these Judgment Days, and if you would familiarize yourself with each of them in the scripture, you would find that God’s judgment of evil is quite foreboding.  God is holy and just by nature, and can neither tolerate nor overlook your sin.  He cannot act in a way that is contrary to His character.  The wages of sin is death in the spiritual realm—an eternal separation from God to be endured in the Lake of Fire that has been prepared especially for the devil and his angels.

Those who have not received God’s forgiveness through faith in His Son will stand before the Lord at the Great White Throne Judgment, described in Revelation 20.  They will have nothing to offer in their defense and will be cast out of God’s presence into eternal punishment.  Some might argue, “I’ll not attend any judgment; I don’t even believe in God,” but what one believes does not make it reality, and you should know that God believes in you—you are a part of His creation.  Mark His Word, there will be a day of reckoning at which time you will face the Almighty all alone.  You had better get prepared.  “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. (Romans 5:8-9)”  “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. (Acts 16:31)”

  Perhaps you have read the story in Joshua 3, of God’s people, Israel, approaching the land that He had promised to their fathers generations before.  For forty years they had wandered in the wilderness while a generation of unbelievers died, and their children learned to obey God and exercise faith in His promises.   Soon they would cross the Jordan River and begin a new and very different life.  It would be a change comparable to graduating from school and entering the work force, or getting married and taking the first steps as a new family, with all of its obstacles and uncertainties.  Yes, life for God’s people Israel was about to change drastically, and Joshua, their leader, needed to get them ready.  Their preparation would involve three steps:

  First, “…Joshua said unto the people, Sanctify yourselves: for to morrow the LORD will do wonders among you. (Joshua 3:5)”  The word sanctify means to be set apart.  e.g. Like a fire extinguisher hangs on the wall for only one purpose, Israel had to abandon themselves to the Lord and His cause. 

  Secondly, “…Joshua said unto the children of Israel, Come hither, and hear the words of the LORD your God. (Joshua 3:9)”  The road before them would be hard and filled with life threatening events.  The Word of the Lord would guide them and empower them.  Obedience would ensure certain victory!

  Lastly, the first leg of their journey would require renewed confidence in their God—the river that lay between them and their promise was flooded and turbulent.  Joshua simply conveyed God’s promise, “And it shall come to pass, as soon as the soles of the feet of the priests… shall rest in the waters of Jordan, that the waters of Jordan shall be cut off from the waters that come down from above; and they shall stand upon an heap. (Joshua 3:13)”

  We too, live in a day of great change and uncertainty; tomorrow is not going to look like today.  Those who understand God’s Word will not be surprised, and the wise will be ready: Set apart unto God, Attentive to His Word, and Living in confident expectation that He will perform all that He has promised.

  In a familial relationship, God intended that husbands and dads always act in the best interest of their family.  Though many men have shirked their responsibilities as heads of their houses, most are able to understand the logic of God’s design.  God himself is the Heavenly Father, especially of those who have been adopted into His family by accepting the forgiveness made available through the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ.  Someone might ask, “Does God follow his own rules for fathers?”  “Does he purpose the good of those that have chosen to be part of his family?”  “Does he always act in their best interest?”  The answer to all of these, is a resounding “YES!”  The scriptures declare,  “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)”  “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. (Romans 8:28)”

  But there is more, notice, the verse does not say that God’s goodness is limited to what He initiates on behalf of His children, but He has promised to work “all things” together for their good.  This means the things that evil men do, that governments do, that family members do, that we do ourselves, etc.   Because He is sovereign, God is able to superimpose His plan over all the events of life for the good of His children, no matter who initiated them.  He is: Omnipotent (all powerful), Omniscient (all knowing), and Omnipresent (everywhere present).  He is God!  …and He is my loving Heavenly Father.

  You don’t need to take my word for it though; look around at all He has done, and believe!  Read the book He wrote for you, and believe!  As surreal as these thoughts might sound at first, you’ll discover in His world and Word, that He is God of the impossible.  “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction. (Proverbs 1:7)” 

  Since your eternal destiny depends on what you do with Jesus, you owe it to yourself to look into these things.  You’ll find that the Almighty’s plan and provision will result in the ultimate good for all who call Him Father.

  We truly praise the Lord for our facilities at Corinth Baptist Church, the greater portion of which is approaching 170 years old.  As you might imagine, in the course of history, the old building has required repairs and updates.  For example, during the 170 years, the church transitioned from oil lighting to electric.  Recently, we have been upgrading our electrical panels and repairing and refinishing walls and floors in our classrooms and offices.  As with any old construction, the tasks seem unending at times, but each project brings excitement as we make ready for the generations ahead.

  Our construction reminds me often of another building project in which we are engaged.  One of our stated purposes is to “edify” believers.  This is a Bible word that means simply, to build up.  The Word of God has much to say about our ministry of edification:  “Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another. (Romans 14:19).”  “Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification. (Romans 15:2).”   “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying… (Ephesians 4:29a).”  “Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do. (1 Thessalonians 5:11).

  Corinth Baptist Church exists to glorify our Lord by preaching His gospel, and building lives that clearly reflect the character of Jesus Christ.  God gave His Son, Jesus, to die for your sins because without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.  Jesus was buried, but rose up from the grave on the third day, and is alive today, in Heaven, at His Father’s right hand.  Those who accept His forgiveness by faith will have everlasting life, while those who refuse will spend eternity in Hell.  Jesus died to afford you the choice!

  Once a person accepts God’s gift of forgiveness, the process of building begins.  With the spiritual building materials and explicit instruction provided in the Word of God, believers are being built up into the character of Christ.

  Would you come and build with us?