AOC Sunday Report

 

 

Anglican Orthodox Church _sm

Worldwide Communion

Eighth Sunday after Trinity
July 26, 2026

Sunday Report

Eighth Sunday after Trinty

The propers are special prayers and readings from the Bible. There is a Collect for the Day; that is a single thought prayer, most written either before the re-founding of the Church of England in the 1540’s or written by Bishop Thomas Cranmer, the first Archbishop of Canterbury after the re-founding.

 

The Collect for the Day is to be read on Sunday and during Morning and Evening Prayer until the next Sunday. The Epistle is normally a reading from one of the various Epistles, or letters, in the New Testament. The Gospel is a reading from one of the Holy Gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. The Collect is said by the minister as a prayer, the Epistle can be read by either a designated reader (as we do in our church) or by one of the ministers and the Holy Gospel, which during the service in our church is read by an ordained minister.

 

The propers are the same each year, except if a Red-Letter Feast, that is one with propers in the prayerbook, falls on a Sunday, then those propers are to be read instead, except in a White Season, where it is put off. Red Letter Feasts, so called because in the Altar Prayerbooks the titles are in red, are special days. Most of the Red-Letter Feasts are dedicated to early saint’s instrumental in the development of the church, others to special events. Some days are particularly special and the Collect for that day is to be used for an octave (eight days) or an entire season, like Advent or Lent. The Propers for today are found in the Book of Common Prayer page 199-200.

 

The Collect for the Eighth Sunday after Trinity.

O GOD, whose never-failing providence ordereth all things both in heaven and earth; We humbly beseech thee to put away from us all hurtful things, and to give us those things which are profitable for us; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

 

 Epistle for Eighth Sunday after  Trinity.   Romans viii. 12.

BRETHREN, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit himself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

 The Gospel for Eighth Sunday after Trinity. St. Matthew. vii. 15.

BEWARE of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.  Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

 

On Point:

Peace in Storm

“He went up unto them into the ship; and the wind ceased.”  Mark 6:51 

When Jesus comes to us — our trouble ceases. At His bidding — the wildest storm instantly becomes a calm. The trouble itself may not go away from us — but it is no longer a trouble, when He is with us. The wind may not cease to blow and beat upon our lives — but He makes peace within. It is far better to have so much grace — that our hearts shall be calm and quiet in the fiercest storm — than to have the storm itself quieted, while our hearts remain as restless as ever. Peace within is far better than any mere calm without.

In a gallery in Italy, there are two pictures side by side by different artists. One represents a sea tossed by storms. Dark clouds hang over it, and the lightning-bolts pierce the sky, and the angry waves roll in great fury. In the seething waters, a dead human face is seen.

The other picture presents a sea similarly storm-tossed; but in the midst of the angry waters is a rock, and in the rock a cleft with green herbage and flowers, and amid these — a dove quietly sitting on her nest.

These two pictures tell the whole story of human life in this world. The first is the story of life without Christ, unblessed by His presence and peace. There is storm everywhere — with no quiet shelter. The other picture paints the peace which Christ gives. There is no less storm. The waves roll as high — but there is peace. The rock represents Christ; it is in the cleft of the rock that the peace is found.

It is only in the redemption and atonement of Christ — that we can have true and lasting peace. "In Me, you shall have peace." If, therefore, we take Christ into our barques on the storm-swept sea — we shall glide on in safety through earth's tempests — to glory's shore!

 

Jerry Ogles, Presiding Bishop
Metropolitan AOC Worldwide

 We are fortunate to get copies of Bishop Jerry’s you tube links, devotions on the Prayer of the Collect and sermon notes.

 

Bishop Jerry creates videos on various subjects, they last just under ten minutes and this week’s videos are listed below:

Bishop Ogles Blog:
 https://anglicanorthodoxchurch.blogspot.com  

Bishop Ogles You Tube Channel
that is free to subscribe: all of his videos at:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuW3bgXBJFomPB5mZ4Oigxg

 

Sermon Summary for the 7^th Sunday after Trinity: Video Devotional

 Bishop’s Blog: https://anglicanorthodoxchurch.blogspot.com/2026/07/youtube-video-player_01370757984.html

 You Tube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ylaqcV1Fl0

  

Wednesday Morning Devotional: Morning Bells – Thoughts of God at the Dawn Hour

Bishop’s Blog: https://anglicanorthodoxchurch.blogspot.com/2026/07/youtube-video-player_0366962992.html

You Tube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xEpcmxvBxAk&t=9s

  

 Friday Evening Video Devotional: The Two Divergent Paths

 Bishop’s Blog: https://anglicanorthodoxchurch.blogspot.com/2026/07/youtube-video-player_0601079543.html

You Tube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rCuhrP4Eudw

 

Saturday Video Devotional: FOOD FOR THOUGHT

 Bishop’s Blog: https://anglicanorthodoxchurch.blogspot.com/2026/07/youtube-video-player_0542418503.html

 You Tube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0DwjkyUsBOw

 

 

THE TWO WORLD GOVERNMENTS  - July 26 – Bishop Jerry Ogles

   “And the whole earth was of one language, and of one speech. ²And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar; and they dwelt there. ³And they said one to another, Go to, let us make brick, and burn them throughly. And they had brick for stone, and slime had they for morter. ⁴And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth.” (Genesis 11:1-4)

            No intention of upsetting any of the modern worshippers, but the first example of speaking in unknown tongues occurred at Babel as a result of sin. To quote a great American founding father: “When we get piled upon one another in large cities, as in Europe, we shall become as corrupt as Europe.” ~ Thomas Jefferson

            The words of Jefferson have seen fulfillment in our modern day in which the crime rates, unemployment,
corrupt government administration and socialist policies dominate in our large cities – mostly controlled by those who advocate Marxist views. How could we have fallen to such a low in the American Republic?

            There are several factors involved:

             1.     Our education system has become a forum for Marxist indoctrination of young minds.

         2.  The stated goals of the Communist insurrectionist has been to infiltrate the education system, the seminaries, political parties and corporate interest to create circumstances that impoverish the people and force them into

silence while the Marxist take over. That is the whole aim of the cancel culture and political correctness.

            3. Another goal is by destroying or undermining the history of a nation by questioning its legitimate legal basis and its monuments and buildings.

            The ultimate aim is the same as that of the tower builders at Babel – to create a one world, unified government that could spit in the eye of God Almighty. I need not tell you that their plan failed utterly.

            God does intend to establish a One World government, but one which answers to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, not the corrupt usurpers of power which we see emerging in our modern day. It has been a history-long struggle, for man has always craved to gain power over others. The modern view is to reduce the world  population to a fraction of its present size through every means possible – abortion, homosexual marriage, disease, war, draught, and, if necessary, outright butchery. This was the purpose behind the serpent’s temptation of Eve in Eden – to destroy the man that God had created.

            If you would like an inside look of the aims and objectives of the one world despots, read the book, “Between Two Ages” (1970), by Zbigniew Brzezinski (National Security Advisor to Jimmy Carter) and openly Marxist supporter. In his book, he claims that the teaching of Karl Marx has done more for the world than all the religions combined. He proposes as well that all heavy industry to be moved off-shore from America and created a ‘soft’ industry in America. This, he claims, can be accomplished through trade agreements and tax policies. We see how his plan has been implemented from the date of his book’s publication.

            A poor, uneducated populace is easier to rule than an educated and free people. The salient principle behind the American republic is this: “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:32) Truth is not a prominent characteristic of those who seek to enslave us. The sheep must never see the butcher’s shop which awaits them. The American Republic was founded for one overriding principle – liberty!

            “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; ²To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;” (Isaiah 61:1-2) These words are inscribed on our Liberty Bell in Philadelphia.

            It is my opinion that the Marxist one-worlder will fail just as humiliatingly as those of Babel. The power behind its advocacy is the great Red Dragon. He will amass huge military forces with corresponding arsenal. He will gather against the small contingent of the elect, and God will then intervene. “And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, ⁸And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea. ⁹And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them. ¹⁰And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.” (Revelation 20:7-10)

 

 

  Roy Morales-Kuhn, Bishop and Pastor

Saint Paul's Anglican Church - Diocese of the Midwest Anglican Orthodox Church -Suffragan Bishop of the AOC

 

Morning Prayer – eighth Sunday after trinity

Psalm 92; First Lesson: Proverbs 11:24-31; Second Lesson: Matthew 7:15-21

O GOD, whose never-failing providence ordereth all things both in heaven and earth; We humbly beseech thee to put away from us all hurtful things, and to give us those things which are profitable for us; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

                                                    hymns # 335, 544, 377 

                                 When is it good to give thanks to the Lord?

    The psalmist writes in the 92nd Psalm about the best time to praise the Lord. It is at all times. There isn’t any exception, morning, noon, or night, Sabbath days, any days, all praise being in response to what God has provided for us. It is a good thing to give thanks unto the LORD, and to sing praises unto thy name, O most High:

²To shew forth thy lovingkindness in the morning, and thy faithfulness every night,

 We have been given the privilege of being admitted to the presence of the Lord to give praise. We have this duty to praise the Lord not only in public, at weekly worship, but everyday; not only in public, but in private, and in our families.  And how do we give praise and worship? ³Upon an instrument of ten strings, and upon the psaltery; upon the harp with a solemn sound. ⁴For thou, LORD, hast made me glad through thy work: I will triumph in the works of thy hands. ⁵O LORD, how great are thy works! and thy thoughts are very deep.

  We should give thanks for the blessing of another night’s rest, give thanks for the end of another day added to our lives. We need to give thanks for everything, our employment or impending employment, we need to thank the Lord for all that he has blessed us with, food, shelter, health, and peace. ¹²The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon. ¹³Those that be planted in the house of the LORD shall flourish in the courts of our God. ¹⁴They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing; ¹⁵To shew that the LORD is upright: he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him.

  There are so many folk who do not know the designs of God’s providence or worse yet do not care to know them. And yet those who do know have that much more reason to be thankful.  Think about those who waited years for the coming of the Savior. They waited in great anticipation, it moved their very spirit, as they waited. We see those who met Mary and Joseph when they brought Jesus to the temple for presentation, they burst into songs of praise. Two strangers, Anna, a widow, served the Lord for 84 years at the temple and Simeon, a just and devout man, who was waiting for the Messiah. Each of them brought a blessing to the couple and the baby Jesus. How much more should we praise the Lord, now having the full Word of the Lord in our possession, having knowledge of his first and second coming, and knowledge and gift of salvation?

We know that rain falls on the just and the unjust. There are certain properties of nature that bless all who live on earth. In many cases, those who are unjust flourish for a season, we should focus on eternity. We need to seek for ourselves the salvation and grace of the gospel, being daily anointed by the Holy Spirit, helping us to behold and share in Christ the Redeemer’s glory. It is from his grace, by his Word and Spirit, that we as believers receive all the virtue that keeps us alive. This lively salvation makes us fruitful. From our Proverbs passage we read; There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty. ²⁵The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself. ²⁶He that withholdeth corn, the people shall curse him: but blessing shall be upon the head of him that selleth it. ²⁷He that diligently seeketh good procureth favour: but he that seeketh mischief, it shall come unto him.

 In light of the illustration of fruitful trees, older trees in nature sometimes begin to bear less fruit or no fruit. But in God’s trees (us) the strength of grace does not fail with the advancing of age. The last days of a saint are sometime their best days, and their last work is their best work: perseverance is sure evidence of sincerity.

 I received word a number of years aga of the home going of a missionary nurse I knew who labored in the deep jungles of eastern Panama. Sara Watkins had labored among the Embara and Choco Indians for at least 47 years. She was for all intents and purposes a doctor or nurse practitioner at the least. She did minor surgeries, set bones, saved infant children for parasitic infestations, too many cases to adequately recount.

Sara worked with another nurse, Edel Rassmussen, from Denmark. Edel sent out a long e mail detailing the last evening of Sara here on earth.  Edel made sure Sara was in bed, then retired to her quarters, she came back much later in the evening and found Sara had gone to be with her Lord and Savior. 

 The point of this brief biography; Sara was 81 years old! She was still healing the sick, translating gospel notes and giving several Bible studies a week to the women of both tribes there in the jungles of the province of Darien in the Republic of Panama.  

   Some people are busy until the end of their lives. It doesn’t have to be missionary work, far from home and family, it can be helping someone nearby, helping a neighbor, a friendly greeting and just a ready shoulder or listening ear. We can make a difference, we can be a mission for the Lord, where ever we are.

   So how does this all tie in?  We praise the Lord in our all.  Psalm 92 gives us a steady template to follow every day.  Beloved, let us go forth and praise the LORD.

Let us pray:

  ALMIGHTY God, whose compassions fail not, and whose loving-kindness reacheth unto the world’s end; We give thee humble thanks for opening heathen lands to the light of thy truth; for making paths in the deep waters and highways in the desert; and for planting thy Church in all the earth. Grant, we beseech thee, unto us thy servants, that with lively faith we may labour abundantly to make known to all men thy blessed gift of eternal life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

 ALMIGHTY God, our heavenly Father, who declarest thy glory and showest forth thy handiwork in the heavens and in the earth; Deliver us, we beseech thee, in our several callings, from the service of mammon, that we may do the work which thou givest us to do, in truth, in beauty, and in righteousness, with singleness of heart as thy servants, and to the benefit of our fellow men; for the sake of him who came among us as one that serveth, thy Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

ALMIGHTY God, who hast promised to hear the petitions of those who ask in thy Son’s Name; We beseech thee mercifully to incline thine ears to us who have now made our prayers and supplications unto thee; and grant that those things which we have faithfully asked according to thy will, may effectually be obtained, to the relief of our necessity, and to the setting forth of thy glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

   IN Christ alone during Trinity
                                                                                                                  +Roy

                                                                                                        

Rev Bryan Dabney of Saint John’s AOC Vicksburg, Mississippi  

We are always grateful to get these wonderful sermons from Rev. Bryan, they keep us on our toes!

Sermon Text for Eighth Sunday after Trinity:

In our gospel lesson for today (St. Matthew 7:15-21), our Lord supplied an apt description of false prophets. He said they would outwardly appear to be righteous, but are inwardly nothing more than ravening wolves. The people to whom our Lord was speaking were familiar with the various types of predatory animals. Nevertheless, they missed his overall message that our Lord had come among them to communicate the truths of God as opposed to the lies of those who were more or less wolves in sheep’s clothing. Thus in spite of his witness, many still refused to accept Jesus as their Messiah and they did so based on their faulty understanding of their religion as taught by those deceitful souls mentioned in our gospel lesson. With that point in mind, let us examine several events from Scripture regarding the workings of those deceitful men. To begin with, they challenged our Lord for healing on the Sabbath as if was a crime to provide aid and comfort to others on that day (St. Matthew 12:10-13). Working for wage or improving one’s lot would violate that commandment, but not doing good to someone in need of help. They also sought to label him an agent of the devil because he cast out devils (St. Matthew 12:22-30). The demon-possessed soul needed relief but the scribes and Pharisees treated it as a violation of the law. They further attempted to trick him into criticizing the Roman authorities over the issue of the tribute money (St. Matthew 22:15-21). Our Lord reply was simple— render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the thing that are God’s. They also expelled from the synagogue a man who had been born blind and was healed by our Lord. And the reason? They refused to accept his testimony— that only one who had come from God could have healed him (St. John 9:1-41). And let us not forget that when the religious authorities sought to condemn our Lord, they looked for credible witnesses to testify against him, and failing at that, they then sought false witnesses in order to make their case (St. Mark 14:55-59). Unsurprisingly, their modern counterparts are little different. Thy love to pretend that they are of God all the while working for their father the devil (St. John 8:44). And while many of our Lord’s hearers believed his words and became members of the first Christian church there in Jerusalem and Judea; many more did not. And the same holds true today.

Discerning Christians— per the influence of the Holy Spirit— accept the Scriptures as truth, for in them they will find comfort for their souls and spiritual guidance to assist them in daily living. And so by being thus equipped, they possess the ability to perceive the snares of the evil one and avoid them. But the unregenerate are powerless to perceive those snares, and the wolves in sheep’s clothing are there to keep them on the road to ruin. In spite of the numerous warnings found in Scripture, much of modern Christendom has permitted these agents of evil to enter their sanctuaries as ministers and teachers. These have overthrown the faith of many mimicking the woe that our Lord pronounced upon the scribes and Pharisees who shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for [they] neither go in [themselves], neither suffer... them that are entering to go in (St. Matthew 23:13). They mock and deride all who are not in accord with their views, and they will pressure and intimidate the unlearned and the unsuspecting into following their false teachings. As the Rev. Matthew Henry once wrote concerning them: “...for they wrest and torture the Scriptures to make them speak what the Holy Ghost did not intend...When men wrest the word of God, they fall into the error of the wicked.” As St. Peter warned in his second epistle: Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own steadfastness (3:17).

Still, we needn’t fret about these deceitful souls as Bible tells us that they will be with us until our Lord returns. So do not be discouraged by their presence. Our Lord expects us to do several things in his service. We ought to put on the whole armour of God, and meditate upon the scriptures. We ought also to seek God’s counsel daily through prayer via the workings of the Holy Ghost; and at every point be discerning. And in that light, we are also expected to have an answer for the faith that is within us no matter who asks. The wolves in sheep’s clothing may have a pleasant appearance and demeanor. They may even come to us wearing a veil of compassion. They will offer us Satan’s lies covered with a modicum of truth. But beware and on your guard. They will come to shipwreck our faith in the one true Saviour. They will seek to ruin and destroy the true church and the true faith in our Lord in favor of their alternative— Antichrist. So be not deceived. Avoid all whose teachings and doctrines are contrary to God’s word written. Indeed, witness to them as our Lord opens the way for such, but in no way be accepting of their doctrines and manner of life, and certainly do not accept them into your fellowship if they persist in their errant beliefs and practices.

If you are a member of a church where these workers of iniquity are in charge, get out while you can. Remember Lot’s wife. She turned around in spite of the command by the angels not to look back at the destruction of Sodom and the other cities of the plain. That was what doomed her as she loved what was there and sorrowed over its demise. Think about the sins that went on there and then think on God’s hatred for such. He was pouring out his judgment on those wicked souls and Lot’s wife was looking back in sadness for said judgment as if desiring that the wicked should be spared without a change of heart. Our Lord expects us to depart from any place that has become the temple of false worship and a purveyor of false doctrine. But in order to be a recipient of the love of God, one must be obedient to his word written. God is calling his own out of the camp of the wicked and into the wilderness that they might avoid his coming wrath upon those places where his word has been altered or redacted to suit the values of the wicked. May the Holy Ghost encourage you to seek God’s path and plan of salvation, and reject the empty words of those deceitful wolves in sheep’s clothing.

 Let us pray,

Holy Father, give us by means of thy good Spirit eyes to see thy truth, and ears to hear the same; that we may avoid the snares of the wicked and their false teachings; and these things we ask in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

 Have a blessed week!
Bryan+

 

 Sermon – Bishop Jack Arnold - Time and Action
Church of the Faithful Centurion - Descanso, California

 Today’s sermon brought the Collect, Epistle and Gospel together and is partly contained in the forewords above.

Consider the words from the Collect, wherein we ask God who …ordereth all things both in heaven and earth …to put away from us all hurtful things, and to give us those things which are profitable for us …

We must understand in our hearts God does indeed “ordereth all things” here as well as in heaven. Even though it sometimes does not feel like it in times, we need to remember that ultimately God is the one in control and has a plan that will work. The next time we find ourselves feeling down about the evil in the world, realize that God is greater than all the evil in the world and that in the end He will be victorious.

Understanding that God ultimately is in control is a fairly comforting thought whenever I worry about all the evil that is going on. Once I tell myself that in the end all will go according to God’s plan, I feel much better about what is going on.  We know of course that in the end of days that good will ultimately triumph over evil once and for all.  This thought comforted me greatly when we lost Bishop Hap. Why did God call my father and our dear friend and mentor home at the time that He did? We will never know the reason why, at least while we are on Earth, but we must trust that his passing was part of God’s larger and greater plan.

Once we understand that God is in control, we can and should ask Him to keep us away from those things hurtful to us and incline our hearts towards those things that are good for us.  This issue will always be a challenge to us due to our sinful nature.  We are our own worst enemy in this regard and that is why we need His help to overcome our sinful nature. We alone cannot do this, thus we need the inspiration of the Holy Ghost in our hearts.  We cannot save ourselves from our own imperfect nature, we need His Help if we are to have any hope of success.

Today’s Collect, Epistle and Gospel all come together with one theme. That theme is that if we listen to Him in word and in deed, God will protect us from hurtful things and will lead us to profitable things. Note in deed and not just words! This means we actually have to act for Him and not just say we are for Him. We have to back up the nice words we say with actions that reflect those nice words. If we do these things, we will become profitable. Profitable not in the sense of being Bill Gates rich, but profitable in the sense that whatever God and the Holy Spirit will lead us to will be beneficial for our spiritual well being as well as our physical and mental well being. Paul mentions before receiving the Holy Spirit or the spirit of adoption, we were under Satan’s bondage. He points out that if we live as our old sinful selves, after the flesh, we will die. He says however, if we mortify our deeds, that is to cease our sinning and turn over a new leave, with the help of the Holy Ghost we shall live. He points out if we suffer for Him, along with Him, we will also receive glory for that righteous suffering together with Him.

We have been released from slavery to Satan and are now free peoples under Christ’s banner. We are not called to freedom from sin just to re-enter our previous state, but to be the new men of Christ. This means setting aside the previous things which hurt us spiritually, physically and mentally and focusing on pursuing a way of living that would honor God. Much liking working out, it is difficult at first, but as we continue to practice our faith, it becomes slightly easier. Also, as my friend KT points out as consistency is key in maintaining an effective workout regimen, so it is critical in living out our Christian faith.

We are called to be different than who we were before when we were slaves to Satan. That means examining the spiritual, physical and mental aspects of our lives, seeing what we need to do to improve them so that we can become the New Men that Paul speaks about and continue to learn and follow His Word.

His Word brings us to another point. Which is does the Bible you use match the real Word of God?  It is not the grammar or style that counts, but the facts, the points, the real message of Scripture.  The Authorized Version comes from the Received Text and is reliable.  Make certain the version you use loses nothing in the translation. Many modern versions use corrupted manuscripts omitting a large number of verses which corrupts the New Testament message, and in the case of John 3:16 for example, dilute Jesus Christ’s status as the only begotten son of God. The newer Bibles also are copyrighted so “Man” owns it, and not the author of Scripture, God our Father. In this case, these newer Bibles are not Bibles at all, but doctrine books of men set on not following Scripture. They have lost the holiness that God’s Word is and have become mere textbooks of men. They promote false doctrine and have helped to spread heresy in the church.  This is part of the reason that there is so much heresy in the modern churches today. We must be on the look out for these and remember to only use the versions based on the Received Text, so nothing is lost in the translation.

So, once you let the Holy Ghost into your heart, then take the direction He Offers, read and understand Scripture, you will know what you are supposed to do.  Then, you need to actually act on that knowledge. Action, not just diction is what counts in the end.  Nice words are nice, but they do not mean as much if they are not backed by action. Action will show people who our hearts truly are for, God or Mammon. Let us choose to act for God and have our actions show likewise.

In the Gospel, Jesus covers similar ground.  He points out that if we are of the good tree, our actions will produce good fruit. Before, we were of the bad tree and that is why we produced nothing good. He also points out that not everyone that claims to be a Christian will get into heaven. He says only those who DO the will of God and actually ACT upon His Words will get into heaven and not just those who say they are doing the will of God. He talked about the wolves in sheep’s clothing. He talks about many that have hijacked the church of God and have turned it into a temple of thieves and followers of the Devil rather than soldiers and followers of Christ. Unfortunately, today in the modern church we find that there have been way to many of these wolves in sheep’s clothing. We need to rely on the Holy Ghost to help us discern who is following Scriptures and thus worth listening to and who is just another wolf in sheep’s clothing that is attempting to lead us astray.

Action counts.  For by their actions ye shall know them. 

Heaven is at the end of an uphill trail.  The easy downhill trail does not lead to the summit.

The time is now, not tomorrow.  The time has come, indeed.  How will you ACT?

It is by our actions we are known.

Be of God - Live of God - Act of God

 

Rev. David McMillan
AOC Minister at Large
Alabama

We are Fortunate today to have a devotional from Rev. David McMillian who has recovered from Hip Replacement surgery, Thanks be to God! And his hard word.

Eighth Sunday after Trinity

Instead of a long message I think we can profit from the wisdom of others. I seem to believe that sometimes for whatever reason, we have a tendency to skim over things and not take them to heart. Therefore, I suggest Thomas Watson, "All Things for Good" for a change and encouragement in our Christian lives. This dear little book published by Banner of Truth Trust was first published in the 1600's as "The Divine Cordial". Watson was the minister of St. Stephen's, Walbrook.

The theme of the book comes from the familiar verse Romans 8:28 "We know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them that are the called according to His purpose."

1.  We know. So often we don't know (a lack of love for God and trust in Him?) - we must trust in God's plan which is unknown to us. It reminds me of the wooden piece that my grandfather, the retired Presbyterian, and son of G Campell Morgan gave me. It looks like the pieces don't fit and there is no word. But if you put it at the right angle it says, "JESUS" in capital letters. I remember when he first gave it to me, and I was perplexed. Then I set it on the mantelpiece and went away into the living room. Then I came back to it, and the word JESUS suddenly appeared. I was shocked, but comforted!

He, the Creator of the world, according to Hebrews 1 makes all things and then things make sense. Sometimes you have to twist the angle of the piece to see JESUS, and that is the story of our lives as well. The twists and turns all lead to God and His Son, but we have to endure these things to see His Name. If we accept and trust the Holy Scriptures as the total Word of God, inerrant, that is to say in the words of inspiration, we do know as the Apostle here says " WE KNOW"

Some other "knows" are: 1 John 3:14: "We know that we have passed from death to life" and 2 Corinthians 5:1 - For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. These are encouraging words, aren't they? We need that in the midst of our ungodly and unbelieving culture. I know I do need them. It helps me to write these things out and listen to the words of others many years ago. Watson was one of those we can listen to with no doubts.

2.  "All things work together for good."

Psalm 25:10 says this as well, "All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth unto such as keep His covenant." Daniel in the lion's den, Jonah in the belly of the whale, and the three Hebrews in the furnace are examples of the power of God working for us. Psalm 32:8 "I will guide thee with mine eye."

Sinning against this goodness is an ungrateful and terrible path to take in our lives, for the godly look to Him despite the circumstances of the world and our country.  He is working all things for our good no matter what our eyes may see.

Who of us does not need this in our short lives?  Two of my relatives have died in the past year and although one of them was not expected, it is difficult to say goodbye to our friends and families who no longer can speak with us. 

And I too had major surgery on my hip replacement which was and is quite the major stop in life. No driving till the DR says, and sleeping a different position, so as to not break the new hip. The waiting is the most difficult time as I heal.

Part of our problem is our inattention to spiritual matters. The 1940 Protestant Episcopal Hymnal for this Sunday, 8th Sunday after Trinity, points us to Him.  499 is appointed .  Vs 2 is pointed. 

Search out our hearts and make us true,
Wishful to give to all their due;
From love of pleasure, lust of gold,
From sins which make the heart grow cold,

Wean us and train us with Thy rod,
Teach us to know our faults, O God."

I close this short message and devotional thanking people like Thomas Watson who was so strong in his teaching from the Scriptures.  I heartily recommend this little book to encourage you in your Christian life. 

The Rev. David McMillan

 

AOC Worldwide Prayer List –

I have received updates from a few and those will be the first added to the list. Please send all prayer requests and updates to aocworldwide@gmail.com for future reports. If you would like to be removed from list just respond with remove in the subject line.

 

Prayer Needed:

International Council of Christian Churches (ICCC) – meeting in Africa all week-congress

Joyce – Surgery July 29 @ 2pm – remove several skin cancers – hip and stomach

Charlie Carlisle – recovering at home now following various elements

Donny Clark – hospitalized for stroke – Anne – overseeing his care

Beverly Tatum – Fall, injured shoulder, Howard Tatum – cancer Treatment, caretaking

Kathy – multiple surgeries for skin cancer coming up – severe anxiety

Camella – Breast Cancer – Praise God at church this week! – doing well

Chelsea – expecting Baby in July (Baby heart issues, will need 3 surgeries right after birth, finance problems, pray for Zach – Chelea’s husband and the baby

Donny – hospitalized due to multiple strokes and inability to speak, pray for David and Anne, family who are helping him in recovery

Kristen – doing much better, finally has a boot one month after surgery and starting to get around  

Betty Davis: stroke, hospitalization and praying for complete recovery

Deborah Johns – heart issues – pray for heart strength & strong blood oxygen levels for surgery

Ben Hancock – treatment for colon cancer

Rev. Geordie:  needs prayer for medical issues

Debbie Grimes: colon cancer – surgery

Man, who is a friend of many – Brain Cancer

Bobby Effinger – recovery from heart surgery and ongoing heart issues

Brannon – hospitalized due to chronic unknow source of muscle spasms – 3 year old

Joseph Broddie – recurring throat cancer

David Williams – serious cardiac issues – pray for David and wife Sherie for coping with changes

Colby Landry – cancer. Please pray for his wife, Leah and their family at this time of trial.

Persecuted Christians – subject to persecution and imprisonment for their faith.

Bobby Bryan – suffering with cancer and cardiac issues.

For an increase in the true faith in Jesus Christ here and across the globe.

USA – Leaders, citizens, military, first responders – President Trump & all Cabinet Members Safety

Ophelia – crippling arthritis pain

Dennis Potrikus – fall with bad knees – recovering his rehab

Donna – ongoing radiation and Chemotherapy. Pray for successful remission

Dave – COPD – new diagnosis of Diabetes type 2 – learning curve

Mary Lou – strength for downsizing life-long home and moving

 

Extended Issues need continued prayer;

Laurie with long Covid Symptoms – Extreme exhaustion, heart palpitations, breathing problems and unstable blood pressures are constant worries causing depression to settle in.

Malcom Allred – Cancer Treatment

 Keep Praying for the following:

Shamu-health issues, Jan Jessup-neuro dementia, AOC USA, AOC Missions,  Harper-IBS,
Jim Sevier- God’s Peace, Linda – multiple myeloma, Donna-last chemo this week, 
Alicia-caregiver. Sophie, Colin and Lori Beall – cancer, Malou – cancer, Archie- CHF,
Eloise, Janice, Katie, Bobby, Myra Cox, Faye Miller, Diane, Alice, Yves Mera, Lucile, Ryan, Steven, Rency, Jack & Karen, David

 Points to Ponder:

Take heed to our spirits after we have heard the word, lest we lose what we have gained.
The Rev. Matthew Henry

There is nothing so deluding as feelings. Christians cannot live by feelings. Let me further tell you that these feelings are the work of Satan, for they are not right feelings. What right have you to set up your feelings against the word of Christ?
The Rev. Charles H. Spurgeon

I am at a loss to understand how anyone can read the Acts of the Apostles, and the epistles to the Corinthians, Ephesians, Timothy, and Titus, and deny that the ministry is an appointment of God.
The Most Rev. J. C. Ryle – Knots Untied p.302

 What a wonderful thing it is to be a friend of Jesus and have Him speak to us through His Word and through the teaching ministry of the indwelling Holy Spirit.  But how can we know that we are in fact truly His friends and that He will make His Word come alive to us in the same way as He made His Word come alive to the eleven?   We can know we are Christ's friends and that He will speak to us through His Word if we are habitually obeying His commands.  Here is what Jesus said John 15:14. “You are My friends, if you do whatsoever I command you.” The friends of Christ do what He commands them and those who are not His friends don't. It is that simple.
The Rev. Don Fultz (excerpt sermon Seventh Sunday after Trinity)

 The ant, the crony, the spider, and the locust strive diligently for their daily bread, but not the snail. Where do you fit in that equation, friend? Are you more like the oyster that lies at the bottom of the mud and lime with opened mouth to devour whatever falls within; or, like the eagle that eats only what it captures as its prey? Well did our founding fathers name the eagle as the National Emblem of the United States and not the socialist oyster.
The Most Rev. Jerry L. Ogles– (excerpt Snails, Ants and Spiders, devotion).