Either God Is in Charge or He Is Not

By Clevatrice Barnes

Either God is in charge or He is Not! Everybody in the body of Christ wants to put God in a bubble. Why? We all have to come to a decision; we must let God be God. We have to agree on whether He is who He says He is. God is either all-powerful, accountable, all-knowing, everywhere, and always will be, or He is not!

It is amazing the things we choose to believe about God and His powers, but the thing that is really astounding is the things we cannot believe, although God said He is God and besides him there is no other. The world and the church say there are some things God does not have control over, such as man’s will, but is that true?

In this book, the author Clevatrice Barnes opens the pages of the Holy Bible and shares knowledge with the church concerning the truth of who God says He is. She expounds on the reality of God and His powers. Barnes touches on a subject that is considered taboo when heralding the powers of God. Once you read this book, you will never again be constrained by religious declarations and teachings that tend to hinder your understanding of who God says He is based solely on traditional renderings on biblical content and interpretations.

This book is intended for those who are familiar with the Holy Bible and the teachings of Jesus the Christ and the Gospel. However, it will also benefit those who are interested in the contents of the Bible because this is an excerpt that fully expounds on the teachings of God and biblical principles directly taken from the pages of the Holy Bible.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Newman Springs Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Mar 30, 2020
• ISBN: 9781645318064

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Either God Is in Charge or He Is Not

Clevatrice Barnes

Copyright © 2019 Clevatrice Barnes

All rights reserved

First Edition

NEWMAN SPRINGS PUBLISHING

320 Broad Street

Red Bank, NJ 07701

First originally published by Newman Springs Publishing 2019

This book is protected under the copyright laws of the United States of America. This book may not be copied or reprinted for commercial gain or profit. Scripture quotations are from the King James Version, the New King James Version, and New International Version, of the Bible. Word Definitions are from Webster New Dictionary, The American Heritage Dictionary, Smith’s Bible Dictionary, and Vines Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words. The quotes are taken directly from the books mentioned; therefore, if there are grammatical errors in the context of the quote, please disregard. [sic]Non-fiction.

Note: All references to God are purposefully capitalized to denote respectful reference.

In addition, all references to satan are purposefully not capitalized, except from a direct quote, because he is a nonentity, so please forgive the grammatical errors.

ISBN 978-1-64531-805-7 (Paperback)

ISBN 978-1-64531-806-4 (Digital)

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Preface

Either God is in charge, or He is not. Everybody in the body of Christ wants to put God in a bubble. Why? We all have to come to a decision. We must let God be God. We have to agree on whether He is who He says He is. God is either all-powerful, all-knowing, everywhere, always, and always will be, or He is not.

In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth (Genesis 1:1, KJV). Did He? So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created him; male and female created he them (Genesis 1:27). Did He? The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein (Psalms 24:1). Is it? "And God said unto Moses I Am That I Am" (Exodus 3:14). Is He?

I am the Lord, and there is none else, there is no God beside me: I girded thee though thou hast not known me: 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. (Isaiah 45:5–6)

A bold statement!

Sanctify them though thy truth: thy word is truth. (St. John 17:17)

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the father, but by me. (St. John 14:6)

He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he. (Deuteronomy 32:4)

Read Job chapters 37 through 41. I will wait.

Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needed not be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. (2 Timothy 2:15–16)

This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established. (2 Corinthians 13:1)

One witness shall not rise up against a man for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established. (Deuteronomy 19:15)

And be renewed in the spirit of your minds. (Ephesians 4:23)

Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. (Ephesians 5:6)

I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. (Galatians 1:7–9)

And the Father himself, which hath sent me, hath borne witness of me. You have never heard his voice at any time, nor seen his shape. And ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he hath sent, him ye believe not. Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life. (St. John 6:37–40)

The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple. (Psalms 119:130)

Acknowledgements

I pray, I believe, I receive, and God delivers. I would like to thank My Heavenly Father God for the inspiration to write this book. A special thanks to my 232 Literature teacher Ms. P. Baldwin who allowed me to bend her ear with excerpts from this book, thank you! In addition, I would like to give special thanks to Mrs. R. Wilkes, who offered her service without hesitation when asked, although she was ill at the time—thank you so very much. You helped me make this possible to publish. And V. Turnage, who believed I was capable of completing this task, thank you!

To my best friend, Vance Cobb Jr.—the love of my life, a man after God’s own heart. He taught me the importance of believing in God and myself. I love you! Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house (Acts 16:31, KJV). My house, Derrick, Demetrius, Sierra (Munch), Vance III (Trae), De’zhon (DJ), Jyh’Quan, Majaya, Demerius, Travion (Trae), Nasir (Naz), Tera, and Frank (my younger brother). (Doll-Baby) Deloris Adams, my true friend, who listens to all my thoughts and encourages me through the tears, thank you! And I would be remiss if I left out my sister, Bertha, and my brother, James, who inspired me to seek solitude in books. Without that outlet, I would never have had the time to contemplate life from a spiritual standpoint. And Cleveland Barnes, my father, who always encourages and believes in the abilities of his children. Much thanks and love to all!

Introduction

According to the previous scripture, the entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple, which mean that God’s words—the Holy Bible—is easy to understand. Webster’s definition for the word simple is not complex, single; clear; artless; mere; plain; sincere, etc. This leads one to believe the Bible is easy to understand. Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not; for of such is the kingdom of God. verily I say unto you, whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein (Luke 18:16–17). Little children believe everything they are told, no questions asked. According to what we just read, we are to come to God as a little child: unassuming, naive, ingenuous, impartial, etc.

In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. (Genesis 1:1)

And God made the beast of the earth after his kind, and cattle after their kind, and every thing that creepeth upon the earth after his kind: and God saw that it was good. (Genesis 1:25)

So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. (Genesis 1:27)

The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein. (Psalms 24:1)

Who hath wrought and done it, calling the generations from the beginning? I the Lord, the first, and with the last: I am he. (Isaiah 42:4, KJV)

I am the Lord: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images. (Isaiah 42:8)

I, even I, am the Lord: and beside me there is no savior. I have shewed, when there was no strange god among you: therefore ye are my witnesses, saith the Lord, that I am God. Yea, before the day was I am he; and there is none that can deliver out of my hand: I will work, and who shall let it? (Isaiah 43:11–13)

Thus saith the Lord of Israel, and his redeemer the Lord of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God. And who, as I, shall call, and shall declare it, and set it in order for me, since I appointed the ancient people? and the things that are coming and shall come, let them shew unto them. Fear ye not, neither be afraid: have not I told thee from that time, and have declared it? ye are even my witnesses. Is there a God beside me? yea, there is no God; I know not any. (Isaiah 44:6–8)

Thus saith the Lord, thy redeemer, and he that formed thee from the womb, I am the Lord that maketh all things; that stretcheth forth the heavens alone; that spreadeth abroad the earth by myself: That frustrateth the tokens of the liars, and maketh diviners mad; that turneth wise men backwards, and maketh their knowledge foolish. (Isaiah 24–25)

I am the Lord, and there is none else, there is no God beside me; I girded thee, though thou hast not known me: 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 evil: I the Lord do all these things. (Isaiah 45:5–7)

I have made the earth, and created man upon it: I, even my hands, have stretched out the heavens, and all their host have I commanded. (Isaiah 12)

Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure…yea, I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it. (Isaiah 46:9–11)

But I am the Lord thy God, that divided the sea, whose waves roared: The Lord of hosts is his name. (Isaiah 51:15)

Behold, I have created the smith that bloweth the coals in the fire, and that bringeth forth an instrument for his work; and I have created the waster to destroy. (Isaiah 54:16)

Either God is in charge, or He is not! God says He is God, and besides Him is no other. According to God, nothing happens without His knowledge. Nothing happens without His approval. God Himself says He is responsible. He is the first and the last. He determines the outcome of a thing, not man. God says He declares new things. God is not a man, that he should lie; neither is he the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good (Numbers 23:19)?

After all we have read thus far, we must concur that God is responsible. He acknowledges His hand in all things that happens in the world. He is not a man that He should lie. He knows Himself better than we know Him or ourselves. He says His ways are not our ways, and His thoughts are not our thoughts, and they are past our finding out unless he chooses to reveal them to us (Isaiah 55:8–9).

But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that brought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not. (2 Peter 2:1–3)

We as Christians can believe that God created the heavens and the earth. We can believe He made man in His image and that He made them male and female. We believe God sent His only begotten Son so that whoever believed in Him would have everlasting life. We believe He died and arose again for our sins. We believe He ascended into heaven and is seated on the right hand of the Father. We believe He is coming back again for us, the church.

It is amazing the things we choose to believe about God and His powers, but the thing that is really astounding is the things we cannot believe, although God Himself said it. I have always heard that God can do anything but fail. Now the world and the church says there are some things God does not have control over. God will not violate anyone’s will, God will only do what we let him do, And if Adam and Eve had not sinned…, etc.

As you read, I want you to let your mind rest and concentrate on what the spirit of God is saying. God is a spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth (St. John 4:24). God is truth. John the Baptist said, He must increase, but I must decrease (St. John 3:30). Every one of us who proclaim Jesus to be the Son of God must do likewise. As little children, we must believe every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God. The Bible is the written words of God.

Dear Heavenly Father, we are ready to hear what the Spirit is saying to us. I ask You now in the name of Jesus to speak through my fingers and mind and, most of all, my spirit to convey Your truths to Your chosen people. Thank You, Lord Jesus.

Chapter 1

The Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost were all present when God made the heavens, the earth, and the man. According to the Word of God, He gave Adam and Eve dominion over the entire garden. Adam named all the cattle, all the fowls of the air, every beast of the field, and every living creation in the garden, including every creeping thing upon the earth. The care of the garden and everything in it was Adam’s responsibility (Genesis 1–2).

Adam and Eve lived in the Garden of Eden, and according to God, everything was good. Adam and Eve did not lack any good thing The green herbs were given for meat. They were surrounded by water for bathing and drinking. All around them were trees, which was good for food and beautiful to the eyes. The tree, which sustained life, was also in the garden. There was gold, silver, and all types of precious stones in the garden. Adam and Eve were in the midst of all the beauty God created. They did not need anything—or anyone. After all, they had each other (2). Here are two people who were born with a silver spoon in their mouth. Everything they could ever need or want was given to them.

God commanded Adam to eat from all the trees in the garden except one. Adam had complete dominion over everything, he and Eve. The American Heritage Dictionary defines dominion as control or exercise of control, sovereignty; a sphere of influence or control, realm. The word sovereignty means supremacy of authority or rule; royal rank, authority or power; complete independence and self-government [sic].

Let us weigh the importance of all we know so far. A false balance is an abomination to the Lord: but a just weight is his delight (Proverbs 11:1). God gave Adam and Eve complete control. Man came from the dust of the ground. God breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and man became a living soul (Genesis 1). Contrary to what we have been told, God did not live in the garden with man. God is a spirit, he who worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth (St. John 4:25). God gave Adam complete rule of the earth; therefore, there was no need for Him to remain in the garden.

Adam and Eve were alone in the garden with all of God’s creations. Everything was good. Then along came a serpent. The Word says he was more subtle than any beast of the field. If we recall, God said everything he made was good. All we have been led to believe about this serpent is that he was evil. How did he get into the garden with all the good God created? And God saw every thing that he made, and behold, it was very good (Genesis 1:31). How did the serpent—which by all accounts was evil—get into the garden? Did he get there without God’s knowledge? He was subtle, but how did he get pass God? God is omnipotent ("having unlimited power, authority, or force) and omnipresent (present everywhere) (American Heritage Dictionary). Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the Lord. Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the Lord (Jeremiah 23:24). Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do (Hebrews 4:13). If this is true, how did something bad, the serpent, end up in the garden with everything God said was good?

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven (Ecclesiastes 3:1). We must not lose sight of the purpose of mankind on the face of the earth. God made the heavens and the earth (in that order). He put all His angels in heaven to give Him glory and to do His will. The chariots of God are twenty thousand, even thousands of angels: the Lord is among them, as in Sinai, in the holy place (Psalms 68:17). Bless the Lord, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word (Psalms 103:20). For it is written, he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee: And in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone (Luke 4:10–11).

The question is, how did the serpent get into the garden? Serpent: its characteristics are concentrated in the arch adversary of God and man, the Devil, metaphorically described as the serpent (Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words). Satan is called the old serpent (Smith’s Bible Dictionary).

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 the heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the clouds; I will be like the most High. Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit. (Isaiah 14:12–15)

The preceding passage lets us know satan was determined to rule the heavens.

And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon fought and his angels. And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceived the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night [sic]. (Revelation 12:7–10)

These scriptures let us know how the serpent got into the Garden of Eden. He was cast out of heaven into the earth, along with his angels. (Everyone thinks the book of Revelations is only talking about the end-times; if so, I suggest you read it again.) Think about this, if God cast the serpent to the earth, as we read He did, why would He let him into the garden where everything was good? Did He have a purpose? Satan said he would exalt his throne above the stars of God. He said he would be like the most High. God says otherwise: For mine own sake, even for mine own sake, will I do it: for how should my name be polluted? and I will not give my glory unto another (Isaiah 48:11). It was satan’s will to be in charge of heaven, and once he was in the earth, it as well. God says, I have made the earth, and created man upon it: I, even my hands, have stretched out the heavens, and all their host have I commanded (Isaiah 45:12).

Doesn’t it strike you as odd that even satan did not have the power to do his own will? His powers were limited to what God would allow him to do. According to satan, he wanted to run things in heaven. Why was satan cast out of heaven? Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand (Matthew 12:25). According to what we just read, if God had left satan and his angels in heaven, there would have remained division. God said a kingdom divided against itself would not stand. Heaven is God’s kingdom, and He will not have division in His kingdom, hence the fall of satan.

Adam and Eve are in the garden. Along come satan, shaking up their world. The serpent approaches Eve and