He That Overcometh (continued)

Beloved, in continuance of our theme, “He that Overcometh” – if only we, the children of God, could be a little more patient (or, as Dr. Barbour of Jeffersonville said, if we could only hold out 6 more weeks until the end of the year), we shall be given to eat of the “hidden manna,” and shall be given “a white stone” in which is a “new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it” (Revelation 2:17). Beloved, that “hidden manna” is the “true bread from heaven,” Jesus Christ (John 6:32). You must remember that not many people truly know that He is God the Father and Creator of all. If you know Him today, you should feel privileged and grateful. In the Gospel of John alone, Jesus referred to Himself six times as the substance of God, or the “bread of God…from heaven” six times in the Gospel of John alone (see John 6:41, 6:48, 6:49, 6:50, 6:51, and 6:58). In the Book of Revelation, when Jesus says that overcomers will be given to eat of the hidden manna, He includes all the pleasures of wisdom and knowledge. In other words, our God wants to share, with those overcomers He can trust, all of His knowledge. God is not stingy with His knowledge – He just wants to make sure that we, His children, are the only ones who receive it. Can you imagine what might happen if someone who is evil receives the knowledge of God? Can you imagine the kind of destruction that would cause? God is too intelligent to allow someone evil to cause that kind of chaos, so He “hides” His wisdom from evildoers and instructs His children, that “if [we] lack wisdom, [we should] ask of God, that giveth to all men [of faith] liberally, and upbraideth (withholdeth) not; and it shall be given him [in due time, gradually, in stages]” (James 1:5). What I am trying to tell you until next week is that all of our unsettling, confusing situations will make sense in just a little while. Just focus on being an overcomer. I will write more next week.

Until than, know this…

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

Pastor William L. McCoy

He That Overcometh (continued)

Beloved, in continuance of our theme, “He that Overcometh” – the spirit of (or in) the church at Pergamos instituted the doctrines of men at the instigation of Satan, who had succeeded in obtaining “a seat” in the church (see Revelation 2:13). Today, we need to know that Satan has his “seat” in many churches too. The question that we must ask is this; “In this era, are people yearning for a newer and deeper experience in their lives? Are they seeking to place their souls in contact with God, or is their desire motivated by a spiritual individualistic reconciliation with self and others? In other words, is there a quest for a spirituality that teaches us a way to be saved with our sins rather than from our sins?

Precious Ones, I believe that the modern church, like the church at Pergamos, has ceased to instruct others to “overcome” sin. Instead of being fed on the true Word of God, the people at the church of Pergamos were made “to eat things sacrificed unto idols” (Revelation 2:14). As a result, the church was accused by God of “commit[ing] fornication.” The “things sacrificed unto idols” represent “the doctrine of Baalam” – a doctrine that advocated (1) self-love, (2) the love of the wages of the unrighteous, and (3) seeking beautiful men and women to commit adultery in order to bring a curse on Israel (see Numbers 22:7, 17, 37; Numbers 25:1-9; and Numbers 31:8, 16).

Chosen Ones, that spirit is abroad in many churches in the world today. The danger of teaching “self love” (the “doctrine of Baalam”) instead of the love of Jesus Christ is this – people will love themselves so much, that they will not feel a need to overcome anything or any area in their lives. This will lead to total destruction in the church. But in Anointed Harvest, as long as the grace of God keeps me alive, this Pastor will continue to teach (1) the Word of God, (2) the love of Jesus, and (3) how to overcome sin – not live with sin!!

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

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

Pastor William L. McCoy

He That Overcometh (continued)

Beloved, in continuance of our theme, “He that Overcometh” – we must not forget that in order to overcome, we must not shrink from hard trials and persecutions. Remember, Jesus taught us that “[We] shall be hated of all men for [His] name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved” (Matthew 10:22). Saints, we must not faint in these trying hours of our lives. We must not get weary or sluggish either! Paul said, “let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not” (Galatians 6:9). One of the secret methods of overcoming adversities is to motivate ourselves with the victories that our Lord and Savior blessed with in the past. That is why Paul condones remembering past victories – “call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated [enlightened with instruction on how to be delivered], ye endured a great fight of afflictions” (Hebrews 10:32).

Precious Ones, another secret method of overcoming your challenges is to never lose confidence in the rewards that Jesus will give us for our sacrifices. None of us will endure any circumstance if we feel it is in vain! Again, Paul instructs us well – “Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence [compensation] of reward” (Hebrews 10:35).

Chosen Ones, we must remain overcomers by faith in what God said – not necessarily in what we see! It is mentioned four times in scripture that “the just shall live by faith,” but it is only in Paul’s letter to the Hebrews that this revelation is added – “if any man draw back [give up or cease to overcome], my soul shall have no pleasure in him [or her]” (Hebrews 10:38). Therefore, it should not be a choice whether or not we, His children, will overcome. Rather, if we intend for our Savior, Jesus Christ, to receive pleasure from our lives, we must believe that by His grace, we will overcome!

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

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

Pastor William L. McCoy