I & II CORINTHIANS

What a blessd day we had at Church yesterday.  Grand View Baptist Church was full and people were everywhere.  It was exciting.  The auditorium was almost packed, the Teen Church was packed out (and in August!).  Cars were everywhere, and it is a blessing!  Praise God for His goodness to us.   I'm in I & II Cor. and here are a few thoughts: SUBJECT- I Cor. 14:32 "And the spirit of the prophets are subject to the prophets."  The Devil didn't make us do anything, and the Holy Spirit will not force you to do anything like faint, roll around, speak in an unknown language, shout, bark, growl, quake, etc.  without you being in control all the time.  The Holy Spirit can help us preach, teach, pray, serve, but He empowers us yielding to our will and control.  We must yield to His to have Him help us.  Our spirit is subject to us!  We control our own spirit.  This is what this passage is teaching. HIS GRACE- I Cor. 15:10 says:  "But by the grace of God I am what I am:"  How true.  As I approach my 25th year as the pastor of Grand View Baptist Church, I am reminded more and more, it is only His grace that allowed anything to be accomplished for His glory.  In fact, in myself, I could and can do nothing!  It is all His grace and I revel in it.  To God be the glory, great things He hath done! ANATHEMA MARANATHA-  I Cor. 16:22 says:  "If any man love not the LORD Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maranatha."  Ok, you ask.... What does that mean?  Well... Anathema means "accursed" , and Maranatha means "the Lord cometh".  It means this.... If someone doesn't love Jesus, then let them be accursed and go on with your life for Maranatha, the Lord cometh!  It won't be long and you will not have to put up with those who do not LOVE JESUS!  Wow!  Praises! HOUSE NOT MADE WITH HANDS- II Cor. 5:1 tells us of our future home in Heaven.  "a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens."  What an exciting time that will be.  I had a funeral Saturday, I will have one today, I met a church family Sunday afternoon to say good bye to their great grandmother who just passed away.... death is all around us, but so is the bright promise of Heaven's reality and beauty!  It won't be long.... and we will all be there... put on a smile and call it "practice for Heaven"! May God bless you dear friend.   Pastor Mike Mutchler