God's Masterpiece (continued)

Beloved, in continuance of our theme, “God’s Masterpiece” – The psalmist says that man is “estranged from the womb: they go astray as soon as they be born, speaking lies” (Psalm 58:3). In other words, all of us were born liars! Yet, it is amazing that, even though Adam put us in jeopardy by breeding a creation of liars, God’s Master-Mind created within us something that would serve as a regulator, a central mechanism, to prevent us from destroying ourselves in our deceitful nature. That central mechanism is our conscious – our soul (often referred to in the scriptures as “the heart”). Remember, God destroyed the first set of humans and only allowed Noah and his family to escape because “God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually” (Genesis 6:5).

Precious Ones, this teaches us that if we do not want “God’s Masterpiece” (our human selves) to be destroyed, we must have testimonies of the same nature as the sons of Korah. We must avoid destruction by saying, “[Our] heart and [our] flesh crieth out for the living God” (Psalm 84:2). This is accomplished only by the preaching of the Gospel! It is only the preaching of the Gospel that stirs man’s spirit to seek after righteousness. If you do not want to take my word for this, let us rehearse what Paul said in his letter to the Roman church – “I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation…[f]or therein is the righteousness of God revealed” (Romans 1:16-17). So, our “Masterpiece of God” must be compatible with another “Masterpiece of God” – our souls and God’s Word must complement each other.

I will write more on this subject next Sunday. Until then, know this…

I love you all SO very much.
In His Love,

Pastor William L. McCoy

God's Masterpiece (continued)

Truly, Beloved, you all exemplify our series of letters entitled “God’s Masterpiece.” Let me start by saying that the soul is the subconscious realm of human activity. In the soul reside the desires or affections which are gathered by the Spirit from the mental realm, and then carried out as actions by the body. In other words, the soul is to the body what CDs are to a CD player – whatever is imprinted in the soul will be acted out unconsciously by the body. This is why the psalmist says that it is imperative that we “[hide the] word…in [our] heart, that [we] might not sin against [God]” (Psalm 119:11). King David concurs with that thought when he said, “Behold, thou [God] desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part [the conscious] thou shalt make me to know wisdom” (Psalm 51:6).

Precious Ones, understanding all of this, we now know that when “the Masterpiece” (or the conscious) that God created in a man or woman begins to reach out after evil things, evil impressions are stamped upon that soul, resulting in evil deeds, wicked works, and ungodly practices.

Chosen Ones, this is why it is very important to not only exercise the body (which is also God’s Masterpiece), but also to exercise the mind. God wants to open up deep revelations to all of us, concerning what He has prepared for us to receive as a reward for trusting Him. However, these deep revelations are what Paul calls “strong meat,” which not everyone is ready to receive. Paul says that “strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age [spiritually, not chronologically], even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil” (Hebrews 5:14). So, give more attention to the inward man (the conscious) than to the physical man (the body). Remember, Paul said that the outward man is the one that we least profit from. According to Paul, “For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things” (I Timothy 4:8).

I will write more on this subject next week. Until then, know this…

I love you all so very much.
In Jesus’ Love,
Your humble Servant,

Pastor William L. McCoy

God's Masterpiece (Part 1)

Beloved, this Sunday I have been instructed by the Lord to write unto you from a series of letters entitled “God’s Masterpiece.” Man is a wonderful creature, consisting of spirit, soul, and body. All that is visible is the body. Yet, it is the totality of man that is considered the “Masterpiece of God’s” workmanship. That is why King David said, “I will praise thee [God]; for I am fearfully [respectfully] and wonderfully [miraculously] made” (Psalm 139:14). In other words, God had so much respect for the uniqueness of the human creation that he miraculously did not create anything like man. Nothing like man has ever been brought into being.

Precious Ones, we know that the body of humankind was “formed…[of] the dust of the ground.” We know that God “breathed into [man’s] nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul” (Genesis 2:7). In other words, the union of the Spirit and the body apparently produced the soul.

Chosen Ones, the soul is never separated from the body – it is the seat of affections. Apparently, the Apostle Paul knew this when he wrote to the church that he established at Colossi. Paul said, “Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead [or are supposed to be dead to the fleshly desires], and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. [So] mortify [kill]…your members which are upon the earth” (Colossians 3:2-5). In other words, the soul is the subconscious realm of human activity and it cannot be separated from the body. When the soul is condemned, the body is also condemned. John calls “the heart” the conscience. He says, “if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things” (I John 3:20). This means that when our conscience condemns us, God already sends that signal to the mind, and consequently this results in the whole aura of man to be condemned. So, Beloved, whatever the soul feels, “God’s Masterpiece” feels it all over.

I will write more on this subject next week. Until then, know this…

I love each and every one of you very, very much.
In His Love,

Pastor William L. McCoy

The Allegories in the Book of Job (conclusion)

Beloved, in conclusion of this series of letters entitled, “The Allegories in the Book of Job” – Job believed in God before he received 140 more years of prosperity. He “saw his sons, and his sons' sons, even four generations” (Job 42:16). Job, even during his time of trial, believed that God would resurrect him out of his troubles. Notice, he said, “all the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come” (Job 14:14). This teaches us that we (as God’s children) who are called to suffer for His honor must exemplify “That [we] be not slothful, but followers of them [like Job] who through faith and patience inherit the promises” (Hebrews 6:12). In other words, Beloved, we should not hesitate to believe that God is going to resurrect us out of our miseries too. When we hesitate to believe God, we are being slothful, and we are not “following them” who are our examples of how to have faith in God!!!

Precious Ones, the scripture emphasizes in four different places that “the just shall live by faith” (see Habakkuk 2:4, Romans 1:17, Galatians 3:11, and Hebrews 10:38). Whenever you find a passage in scripture that God allows to be emphasized more than once, you must know that it is an important principle and key to the Kingdom of God. Many Christians forget this principle. However, one of the main “Allegories in the Book of Job” teaches us that even though our conscience has accused us of our lack of faith, the law has condemned us about it, and the prophets have reproved us about it; thank God, there is a “daysman betwixt us [who has bridged the gap created by sin and has laid]…his hand upon…both [God and man]” (Job 9:33). The only one who has bridged that gap – through His suffering on the cross of Calvary – is Jesus Christ, our Savior.

Finally, Chosen Ones, Job’s allegories teach us that we can have one, a couple, or even a few friends who, based on speculation, feel that we deserve to be punished. But I am glad that Job has taught us that it matters not what people think. All that matters is what God knows about us.

I will write on a new subject next week. Until then, know this…

I love you all SO very much.
In His Love,

Pastor William L. McCoy

The Allegories in the Book of Job (continued)

Beloved, in continuance of our theme, “The Allegories in the Book of Job” – Remember, it was through faith and patience that Job endured the terrible ordeal of trials permitted by his God. Then, in the end, he obtained multiplied blessings. Beloved, hear me when I tell you this – it is only through faith and patience that we, as Christians, will also endure the terrible ordeals and trials permitted by our God! Wasn’t it promised that “the trying of your faith [will work] patience” (James 1:3)? Wasn’t it also promised that if you “let patience have her perfect work…[you will] be perfect and entire, wanting nothing” (James 1:4)? Wouldn’t you say that the phrase “wanting nothing” constitutes obtaining multiplied blessings in the end?

Precious Ones, it was also Job’s undaunted courage and confidence that sustained him. Without even being able to see his invisible deliverance, Job still hoped in a resurrection that had not been taught to him, and this gave him strength to press his claim. Did you read about Job’s faith? “If a man die, shall he live again?” Job had to ask this question because no one had yet taught him the answers. He went on to say, “all the days of my appointed time [alive on this earth] will I wait, till my change come” (Job 14:14).

Chosen Ones, because of Job’s courage and confidence in the Lord, God would not leave him in the dark concerning this question. Obviously, God revealed the truth onto Job. We know this because Job later declares, “I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth” (Job 19:25). Job saw Jesus long before He was manifested! The allegory in this teaches us that we must also have undaunted (unpersuaded) courage and confidence to sustain us through this earthly life. Paul said, “I am persuaded, that…[nothing]…shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord [and Redeemer]” (Romans 8:38-39). This allegory also teaches us that when we refuse to be discouraged by circumstances that seem to have no visible answer or deliverance, but rather trust our God in areas of our lives where no one has ever taught us how to make it through, God will not leave us in the dark about how to escape out of those circumstances. Remember, David said, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou [God] art with me” (Psalm 23:4).

I will write more on this subject next week. Until then, know this…

I love you all with all of my heart.
In His Love,

Pastor William L. McCoy