Church Of God Of Prophecy

PRAYING ON MORRIS CREEKTHURSDAY MORNING SEPTEMBER 9, 2021
After praying this morning, I read in 1 Corinthians 13:12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. What does looking through a glass darkly mean? I dream sometimes, and I vividly remember a dream I once had. I woke from this dream. At first It started off as a vivid, full colored dream; we were in an oversight meeting somewhere in Elizabethtown Ky. I could see and hear W.W. Webb as he was talking. Then is changed, I could see the shadow of two other people in the room. The other two faces were so blurred that I couldn’t make out who they were. One was speaking to us in such a low and slurred voice that I could not understand what was said. I was glad to be there, but because I couldn’t comprehend what and see who was talking, I began to struggle trying so hard to see that I woke up. I lay there for a while, wishing that I could have understood what was really being said. That’s like reading the bible, we know what it is saying, but we can’t fully grasp what it means. I began to pray for everyone with that dream still on my mind. All at once the Lord brought that scripture in 1 Corinthians 13:12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. Christian or non-Christian, no mortal man fully comprehends the truth. At best, he sees “through a glass darkly. There was a question that Philip asked of the Ethiopian prince as he sat reading from Isaiah’s prophecy Acts 8:30. It is a question which we should continually keep asking ourselves as we read the Holy Scriptures. Verse 30 And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, do you understand what you reading? 31 And he said, how can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him. What is keeping us from fully knowing the truth? Sometimes a modern concept can interfere with the intended biblical message. Anyone who wants to see a solar eclipse is advised to watch it through a piece of almost impenetrable dark glass. Otherwise the intense brightness of the sun will damage the eyes. This brings to mind the terror experienced by Isaiah after he saw a vision of the Lord. Isaiah 6:5 Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts. But in 1 Corinthians 13:12 the Bible does not say, "we see through a dark glass. It says, we see through a glass, darkly. Furthermore, the glass Paul refers to is a looking glass or mirror. Darkly" means without clear understanding. Young's Literal Translation says "we see through a mirror obscurely"? What does this mean? How does one see through a mirror? A Looking Glass. The word glass (or more properly, looking glass) is found only once in the Old Testament, in the book of Job: Job 37:18 Hast thou with him spread out the sky, which is strong, and as a molten looking glass? In verse 18, the phrase "looking glass" is translated from the Hebrew word, which means a mirror or looking glass. Ancient mirrors were not made of glass but were fashioned from metal. The New International Bible translates "strong, and as a molten looking glass" as "hard as a mirror of cast bronze. In the New Testament, the word "glass" is translated from the Greek word esoptron. This is the word used in 1 Corinthians 13:12, and it also means a looking glass or mirror. Paul was not speaking of looking through a darkened piece of glass. He spoke of seeing a reflected image.
1. This concept is established in the book of James where the phrase “beholding as in a glass” comes from the Greek verb katoptrizomai meaning "to look into a mirror. James 1:23: For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: It is interesting to realize that no person ever sees his own face. You and I have never seen our own faces. What he sees in a mirror is a backward reflection. We have not taken a portrait painting or a photograph is not backward, but it is still only a two-dimensional image. A sculpture has three dimensions but it produces a likeness that has no counterpart in real life. A sculpture is an image of an object frozen in a moment of time. Transparent Glass. The book of Revelation speaks of glass (as opposed to a looking glass) "like unto crystal" in describing the throne room of God. Revelation 4:6: And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind. Revelation 15:2: And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God. Revelation 21 plainly speak of transparent glass; glass that can be looked through. Revelation 21:18: And the building of the wall of it was of jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass. Revelation 21:21: And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass. But to reiterate the point, the glass spoken of in 1 Corinthians 13 is not transparent glass; it is a reflective mirror. Dark Sayings, the biblical expression "dark saying" is another phrase easily misinterpreted. A dark saying is not sinister. It is a saying with a hidden meaning. Once the meaning is revealed, it is no longer dark. All parables are "dark sayings" until they are interpreted. Psalm 49:4 I will incline mine ear to a parable: I will open my dark saying upon the harp. Psalm 78:2 I will open my mouth in a parable: I will utter dark sayings of old: Proverbs 1:6 To understand a proverb, and the interpretation; the words of the wise, and their dark sayings. Jesus told his disciples the reason he so often spoke in parables: Matthew 13:10-13 10 And the disciples came, and is hid unto him, why are you speaking unto them in parables? 11 He answered and said unto them, because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. 12 For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath. 13 Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not; neither do they understand. A saying is no longer dark once it is illuminated by God. Praying that God will enlighten us to a clear understanding of His word.

We hope to see you July 20-24, 2022 for the 101st International Assembly of the Church of God of Prophecy. Details available at COGOP.org beginning January 2022.

PRAYING ON MORRIS CREEK WEDNESDAY MORNING AUGUST 18, 2021
After my prayer this morning, I began to read Psalm 34:14. King David revealed the key to enjoyable life when he said, Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it. I am convinced that there can be Peace in the Midst of Trouble No wonder the prophet Isaiah, in his Song of Praise, said, “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you” (Isa. 26:3 Have you heard that ole song, Nobody Knows the Trouble I've seen Nobody Knows the Trouble I've Seen" is an African-American spiritual song that originated during the period of slavery. published until 1867. ... HorneThe daily news is always dominated by all kinds of unrest or trouble, whether here locally or internationally. We often wonder why these things are happening, but should we be surprised by all these events that are unfolding before our eyes? Not at all! Jesus himself said, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). While there are troubles that will come, believers are not rendered helpless. We can find the peace that is so elusive to many in Christ Jesus. Indeed, we cannot expect much from the world but trouble. Only the Lord Jesus Christ can give the peace that we all desire. He said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives” (John 14:27). But what is peace? Peace is not the absence of strife or the cessation of hostilities. Besides, peace cannot be dictated or imposed. Peace is more than outward because it is the attitude of the heart where there is calmness, serenity or tranquility. True peace can only be found in Jesus Christ because the Bible tells us that he is the Prince of Peace (Isa. 9:6). This world can only give truce, not peace. It is a temporary cessation of hostilities or what is commonly known as a ceasefire. While there is an outward appearance of peace, there is a raging battle within that is only waiting for a time to blow up and start the fighting again. The apostle James explained this inner battle when he said, “What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight” (James 4:1-2). We are often led to believe that when two people walk and eat together, they are living in peace. Far from it! There are those who project peace and unity, but inwardly are burning in anger and hatred. This was fully demonstrated by Cain, the son of Adam. He was very angry at his brother and his face was downcast because, unlike his brother’s, his offering to God was not acceptable. Knowing what was in his heart, God confronted him saying, “Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it” (Gen. 4:6-7). Instead of listening to God’s rebuke, he invited his brother to the field and as they walked together, he killed him there. He allowed himself to be enslaved by his emotion, rather than ruling over it as God had said. Cain was not totally helpless at that moment. He had at his disposal the ability to make the right choice. Many find themselves in Cain’s situation where they become slaves to their emotion. There is much restlessness and anxiety in their hearts that they are eventually overcome by it. While they may say that all is well, it will show in their countenance. They cannot hide their inner turmoil because the face reflects what the heart is full of. They need to listen to the admonition of the apostle Paul, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:6-7). Anxiety is a cruel task master since it causes much internal turmoil. We need to fully trust in God for us to bring about the peace that we need to overcome it. If sin is not arrested, it will bring forth death. Therefore, it has to be nipped in the bud. It is only then that we can have peace. Besides, we all need to be men and women of peace. We should not only seek peace but should vigorously pursue it. We cannot underestimate the blessings that come with peace. It can bring healing not only to our troubled soul, but our body as well. A man of peace is cheerful and the Bible tells us that “a cheerful heart is a good medicine”. In addition to having peace within us, we also need to be peace makers. Jesus himself said that “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God” (Matt. 5:9). Yes, there will be trouble in this world but as long as we have the Lord Jesus Christ, we shall have peace. Praise the Lord! Have you ever been in a hurricane? In the center of the hurricane, there's something called the "eye of the storm" where it's very calm and peaceful. All around there is chaos, winds blowing 100 plus miles an hour, debris flying left and right, danger everywhere; but as long as you're in the eye of the storm, it's as calm and peaceful as can be. In life, there will be times when it seems like everything is out of control. Challenges, adversities and stress will come. But just like the eye of the storm, in the midst of that difficulty, there is a place of peace where you can go. The Scripture calls it "the peace that passes all understanding." That means you'll have peace when you should be upset. You'll have peace when really you should be stressed out. The disciples were so afraid, so distraught that they ran in to Jesus and said, "Jesus, wake up! We're all about to die!" Jesus got up and simply spoke to the storm. He said, "Peace. Be still. Instantly, everything calmed down. Jesus was in the storm, but He didn't let the storm get in Him. He knew His authority. He knew who He was. He knew His power wasn't based on circumstances. He wasn't going to fret because He was in faith. REMEMBER: He’s in the midst of your storm.