MIND OF CHRIST MINISTRIES, INC.
PASTOR THOMAS E. OGLESBY
P.O. BOX 85
NUTLEY, NEW JERSEY 07110
E-mail:mindofchrist@verizon.net
Phone Number 973-818-2750
July 2019
“God Is Still On His Throne”
Dear Believer(s):
Today, you and I as Christians are faced with what appears to be the insurmountable problems of the world. When we listen to or watch the news, it is almost unbelievable as to what is happening in the world around us. It seems to me that we have never faced so many attacks of the enemy before. We are under attack in society, religion, politics, business, and family relationships.
When we see and experience all of the greed, the lies, the robberies, the double talking, the stealing, and the killing, the disrespect of others, and the vile sinful nature of men. Many people wonder, and some will tell you that the devil has taken over. Many will tell you that God is not in control.
We see and experience the denial of God, His Principles, and His Word. Man seems to be living in his soulish realm (mind, will, and emotions). It seems as if he has turned completely away from God, and has embraced all of the satanic and evilness of satan.
What has happened to the God nature in man? Do we love God anymore? I believe with all of my spiritual heart that there are men, women, and children, who have not bowed and given in completely to the ways of the flesh, the ways of the world, and the ways of satan.
First of all, we as Christians, as the righteous, as the holy vessels of God, we know and we must remember that satan is a liar. Jesus told us this in John 8:44, “Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.”
We can believe Jesus. The devil wants us to magnify and glorify the bad, the ugly, and the evil things that are happening. Satan wants us to believe that all men and women are following him. I want you to know that there are God individuals who are seeking first the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness. They are putting God first in their lives. I want you to know today that God is not dead. God is alive in the hearts of men and women, who love, serve, and obey Him. God is still in control. God controls everything, and created all things. Look what it says in Isaiah 40:28-31, “Don’t you know? Haven’t you heard? The Lord is the everlasting God; he created all the world. He never grows tired or weary. No one understands his thoughts. He strengthens those who are weak and tired. Even those who are young grow weak; young people can fall exhausted. But those who trust in the Lord for help will find their strength renewed.”
In Isaiah 45:6-7, God tells us that He is in control of all things. He says, “That they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is none beside me. I am the Lord, and there is none else. I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the Lord do all these things.”
God is still on the throne. There’s no situation in your life that’s so difficult that He cannot change it, and there’s no need so great that God cannot meet it.
Sadly, our adversary the devil has been successful in convincing God’s people to give up because they lose faith in our Heavenly Father’s willingness and ability to deliver them from their troubles. But I want you to know that God is willing and able, and wants to deliver you from all of your troubles.
The question that you may have in your mind is what about the devil? God created the devil but He did not create him as the devil. In his original form satan was a magnificent angel, one of the most powerful creatures in heaven. God’s Word tells us how this beautiful angel became the devil, before God cast him out of heaven, and before he became the archenemy of ALL MEN.
When God created the devil or Lucifer, he was covered with jewels and filled with music. Lucifer was at one time responsible for praise and worship. God told him, “You were the seal of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty. Lucifer was “in Eden the garden of God.” “Every precious stone was (his) covering.” The workmanship of your timbrels and pipes were prepared for you on the day you were created. As such, he was a living orchestra, a symphony within himself, filing heaven with praise to God.
Lucifer was so powerful that he “walked up and down in the midst of stones of fire.” He had the authority to walk in the very presence of the Almighty. Lucifer was not just any angel. God called him “the anointed cherub who covers; I established you; you were on the holy mountain of God.” Lucifer had the position of archangel. God gave Lucifer the title of “the anointed cherub” because he was connected to worship. Lucifer was the only angelic being in God’s heaven that held two offices. He was “in charge of worship” and “covering cherub,” he was elevated over the others. (Ezekiel 28:12-17)
Because of Lucifer’s titles and positions he became filled with great pride. He even wanted to be worshiped just like the almighty God. This led him to invade heaven because of his jealousy. Lucifer believed that with the help of other angelic creatures he could dethrone God, take God’s throne, and be worshipped by all the heavenly hosts! So the ‘anointed cherub”(Lucifer, the “shining one”), talked with the angels about what he had planned to do and led one-third of the holy angels to believe that it could be done.
THEN ONE DAY SATAN MADE HIS BOLD ANNOUNCEMENT. “How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. (Isaiah 14:12-14)
Lucifer led an army of angels against God in an attempt to overthrow Him but he failed. He was cast out of heaven, and the angels that followed him in the attack upon God are in chains this day waiting the judgment.
God told Lucifer that from the day of his creation he was perfect in every way, until evil was found in him. Because of his actions, he turned violent and rebelled against God. God cast Lucifer out of heaven because his heart was lifted up because of his beauty. He corrupted wisdom to attain worldly fame, and God threw him to the ground. Because of his rebellion, Lucifer was permanently banished from heaven.
Lucifer or satan or the devil is still a cunning, powerful deceiver, and destroyer. He is determined to damn every soul he possibly can. He will not stop until he has exhausted every scheme to damn you, that is if you are not a born again Christian. The only person who is safe from satan’s destruction is a saved person. He does not care how “good” or how “religious you are, just as long as you stop short of being born again. As born again believers, we have power over satan only in the name of Jesus. As we come in His Name meaning His Office, we have the authority to command him and paralyze his power.
What do I mean when I say a born again Christian? In John the third chapter, Jesus tells us, “No one can see the Kingdom of God without being born again. No one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit. A person is born physically of human parents, but is born spiritually of the Spirit.” On the day you receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, you become born again, and the Holy Spirit comes into your life. Now you have the faith to believe in God. Faith is just trusting God. Putting your confidence and trust in God. It is the energy of the person of the Holy Spirit that helps you accomplish God’s purpose in your life. As you obey God, which is the key, obedience leads to the Holy Spirit operating in your life. In John Chapter 14, Jesus told us that He would pray to the Father and He would give us another Helper or Comforter. Jesus was talking about the Holy Spirit. I want you to listen very carefully. The Holy Spirit can guide, lead, and direct us.
The Holy Spirit reveals real truth to us (Who is of God or who is of the devil). The Holy Spirit empowers us. The Holy Spirit comforts us.
God is still on the throne. God has made it possible for you and me to be blessed, to have power and authority over the works of the devil. We are not defeated. We do not, and should not live by the standards and dire circumstances of the world. Fear, worry, and doubt should not govern or control us. We do not have to live with sickness. The Bible says, “By His stripes we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:5) God wants us to prosper, and be in good health; Even as our souls prosper. (3John2)
All of the blessings, promises, and miracles of God are conditional. They are based on our being obedient to God. God wants us to live by His Word. We must know the Word of God, in order to know what God requires. We must know the Word of God, in order to have power over the enemy. We must know the Word of God, in order to live a victorious life in Christ.
The Word of God is Truth. If you are going to be an overcomer, and live a fruitful life in the world today, it is of utmost importance that we are able to determine the Truth of God. God does not, and cannot lie. Man will lie.The world lies, and the devil lies, but God is all truth. (Numbers 23:19; Titus 1:2; and Hebrews 6:18)
You and I can live in this world and not be defeated by the powers of satan. We can make a difference and bring lost unbelieving souls to Christ. God has told us in His Word, “Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world.” (1John 4:4) What does this mean? Greater is the power of God that is in me than the power of the devil that is in the world. Because we are born again Christians, the Spirit of Jesus resides in us.
As Christians we often wonder why we go through the problems, the trouble, and the trials that we face in life. The Bible is The Word of God. The Bible says, The Word of God is all Truth. The Word of God tells us in Psalm 34:19,” Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all.” No matter what pain or suffering or distress or misfortune or tribulation you go through because you are a child of God, He will bring you through all of them. Jesus said, “I will never leave thee nor forsake thee.” (Hebrews 13:5) This is the eternal Truth of God. God is still on the throne!
Let us pray, “God let us always believe in You. Let us believe in Your Word. Let us believe in Jesus. When we do, satan cannot defeat us, and we will be victorious in every area of our lives. Thank You Lord for loving us! Dear God teach us to love You. Thank You Lord! We pray in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen!”
As we celebrate the Birth of Our Nation (July 4th) this month, let us pray throughout this month that America will totally return to the Principles of God and Live Holy.
In order for the ministry to continue to spread the Good News of the Gospel, we need your financial support. Please pray and ask God if you should give. Be obedient to whatever God tells you to do.
“Whatever good you make happen for someone else, I will make happen for you.” (Ephesians 6:8)
With Love, Prayers & Thankfulness
Thomas Oglesby
Pastor Thomas Oglesby
