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Mark 4:14 The sower sows the word. (KJV)
Back in our Lord’s time sowing referred to something spiritual didn’t it? Given the fact that we serve a God who is a Spirit, and who can only be worshiped in the realm of spirit and truth, that is definitely something one should keep first and foremost in their walk. Mark 4:18-20 And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word, (19) And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. (20) And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred. (KJV) Back in our Lord’s time hundredfold started out a whole lot different than what we hear about today. Our Lord’s version was dealing with spiritual things, while today many have claimed it deals with money. Interesting to note that those that preach that nonsense can easily be categorized within the confines of verse 19. Luke 8:10-12 And he said, unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand. (11) Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. (12) Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and takes away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. (KJV) Today many make the claim that you can sow a seed of money, and make out like a bandit so to speak. Well as you can see, there is a thief involved who just loves to hear this seed faith crap being preached instead of truth. Galatians 3:16 Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, and to seeds, as of many; but as of one, and to thy seed, which is Christ. (KJV) You know, back in the day it started out so simple as ‘one’; however, today we have many who have taken something spiritual and tried to equate it to their own carnal desires and greed. Any so called seed that doesn’t involve Christ and His kingdom will be considered robbery; and no thief will inherit the kingdom of God. Matthew 19:21-23 Jesus said unto him, if thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shall have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me. (22) But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions. (23) Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, that a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven. (KJV) You know, being rich isn’t all that it’s cracked up to be, is it? You don’t see our Lord promoting this seed faith nonsense do you? How come He didn’t tell the rich man to give all his stuff to Him and then he could receive a hundredfold return financially, like so many preach today? Well, our Lord was more concerned with this man’s spiritual outcome rather than His own financial one; which is why He is now seated at the right hand of God the Father. Dear brethren, seek to be rich in faith which has an eternal weight of glory to the praise of God our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ. God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Malachi 3:7-8 Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from mine ordinances, and have not kept them. Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the LORD of hosts. But ye said, wherein shall we return? (8) Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. (KJV)
Back in the day, neither they nor the Lord were concerned so much with dollar amounts, rather, how much of your time and talents were you giving the Lord? Today many make it seem so simple, just write some big name preacher a big check, and watch all your problems go away. Malachi 3:9-11 Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation. (10) Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. (11) And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of hosts. (KJV) The meat that our Lord would like to see His people partaking of today involves that of the Word, something that is life sustaining and will cause one to grow and mature in Christ. Most of what we are surrounded with today resembles more of a day care center, where a bunch of children congregate at. Matthew 23:16-19 Woe unto you, ye blind guides, which say, whosoever shall swear by the temple, it is nothing; but whosoever shall swear by the gold of the temple, he is a debtor! (17) Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gold, or the temple that sanctifies the gold? (18) And, Whosoever shall swear by the altar, it is nothing; but whosoever swears by the gift that is upon it, he is guilty. (19) Ye fools and blind: for which is greater, the gift, or the altar that sanctifies the gift? (KJV) You know, back then we can see how misguided the people were, putting so much of the emphasis on what the people were giving to their organizations. Just like with today, most of the attention is focused on what the people ante up financially rather than spiritually. If they were considered fools and blind back then, yeah you got the same blind fools leading the blind today also. Matthew 23:21-23 And whoso shall swear by the temple, swears by it, and by him that dwells therein. (22) And he that shall swear by heaven swears by the throne of God, and by him that sits thereon. (23) Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone. (KJV) Today that seems to be the main focus of messages, giving and tithing; you know, the more you sow the more you reap? Yeah, you know who is doing the reaping part don’t you? The main focus should be on the weightier matters; you know, that spiritual stuff like judgment, mercy, faith, or hey how about the fruit of the Spirit, love, joy and peace to name a few others. God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. 1Kings 15:9-12 And in the twentieth year of Jeroboam king of Israel reigned Asa over Judah. (10) And forty and one year’s reigned he in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Maachah, the daughter of Abishalom. (11) And Asa did that which was right in the eyes of the LORD, as did David his father. (12) And he took away the sodomites out of the land, and removed all the idols that his fathers had made. (KJV)
For those of you who are not aware of sodomites, they are the ones that would today be called the gay or lesbian movement. Well back in the day it was considered an abomination, and those that wanted to please our Lord dealt with it appropriately, kicking them to the curb. Today many embrace these so called alternative lifestyles and invite this doctrine into their congregations. They are literally loving them to death. Malachi 3:6-7 For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed. (7) Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from mine ordinances, and have not kept them. Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the LORD of hosts. But ye said, wherein shall we return? (KJV) The issue we are surrounded with today is the same as back then; what our Lord said was truth doesn’t change, it’s forever settled. However, many today are changing with the times, which just happen to be the last times; and they are adopting things that God said were an abomination back into their congregations. Of course when many of these so called preachers decide to jump in bed with the government so to speak, claiming their 501-3C tax exemptions, it already shows me where they have sold out; and it is just a matter of time before their sermons will be censored as well. One of my pet peeves is when the Church decides to side step their obligations concerning paying taxes, and basically they are on their own, just like the children of Israel were for forty years. Leviticus 20:13 If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them. (KJV) One of the definitions for abomination is a disgusting thing; something that is definitely not embraced by our Lord. Hebrews 13:8-9 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever. (9) Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein. (KJV) You should be glad that our Lord doesn’t change; I mean, He is the same loving, kind, merciful, gracious as well as forgiving Lord that He always has been. However, when you try to incorporate something that is abominable into His kingdom, well it’s just not going to work people. After all, you wouldn’t let some nasty dirty pig run through your house would you? God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Acts 8:18-20 And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, (19) Saying, Give me also this power that on whomsoever I lay hands; he may receive the Holy Ghost. (20) But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. (KJV)
Back in the time of Peter and the disciples the men of God didn’t play favorites with people just because they had a lot of money, rather they rebuked them instead. Today we see many who claim just the opposite, making it appear that the more they give to God the more they get. James 2:1-5 My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons. (2) For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment; (3) And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool: (4) Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts? (5) Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him? (KJV) Again, back then we see that the people didn’t play favorites; rather they were looking more to the inward and not the outward. Today many have decided to give more perks and attention to those that give the most outwardly; however, they miss those that give the most from the heart, inwardly. Mark 12:41-44 And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much. (42) And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing. (43) And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: (44) For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living. (KJV) You know, our Lord did happen to preach a message concerning giving back then; however, it is much different than the ones we hear about today isn’t it? How about this nonsense we see on the 700 Club (a religious organization) with their endless telethons; and how they focus on who gives the most rather than those that do it from the heart. Oh and by the way, which chapter and verse did our Lord teach us about doing telethons? 1 Timothy 6:9-11 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. (10) For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. (11) But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. (KJV) So today let’s concentrate more on what our Lord did and said as our examples, and flee from the wannabe’s and pretenders. God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Numbers 14:33-35 And your children shall wander in the wilderness forty years, and bear your whoredoms, until your carcasses be wasted in the wilderness. (34) After the number of the days in which ye searched the land, even forty days, each day for a year, shall ye bear your iniquities, even forty years, and ye shall know my breach of promise. (35) I the LORD have said, I will surely do it unto this entire evil congregation that are gathered together against me: in this wilderness they shall be consumed, and there they shall die. (KJV)
I associate the time of wanderings back then to what I see going on now; that being aptly described in one word, religion. Back then the people bought into half truths and lies, and then decided to run with it, which ended up being the opposite way that our Lord intended. Today many have settled for something other than the truth that would set them free, and they end up wandering around aimlessly in wishy washy doctrines of man that will never get them to the promised land either. Galatians 3:1-4 O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you? (2) This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? (3) Are ye so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh? (4) Have ye suffered so many things in vain? If it be yet in vain. (KJV) You know, for a while the enemy was getting his backside kicked around by God through Moses, a man that chose to move forward and not compromise. However, just like today, the children of Israel were no longer much of a threat once they started wandering around on their own according to what they desired and not our Lord. Today many have answered our Lord’s calling for a season; however, that season comes to a screeching halt when they attach their denominational names and beliefs to the doctrine of Christ. They too end up wandering around doing the same empty carnal religious works that are just as dead as the people of Israel ended up in the wilderness. Colossians 2:8-10 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. (9) For in him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. (10) And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: (KJV) I have to throw my two cents worth in on this scripture having just gone through the abomination many call Christmas. It’s one thing to see the world buy into this nonsense, it’s another to see so many lame brain so called Christians drinking the same carnal kool-aid as well. It’s a sad testimony to the Church when you get more truth concerning this ungodly doctrine on You Tube rather than hearing it from the pulpits. God bless dearly loved and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Psalm 34:8 O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him. (KJV)
Thayer’s definition for ‘taste’: to taste
Psalm 119:103 How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth! (KJV) Song of Solomon 2:3 As the apple tree among the trees of the wood, so is my beloved among the sons. I sat down under his shadow with great delight, and his fruit was sweet to my taste. (KJV) Proverbs 16:24 Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones. (KJV) Proverbs 30:5 Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. (KJV) The wisdom from above is first pure, gentle, easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits; and oh how sweet it is to the taste when you partake of it. The pure river of the water of life is as clear as crystal and proceeds out of the throne of God and of the Lamb; and oh how sweet it is to the taste when you partake of it. Can you taste it? Can you see that it is good? Proverbs 4:20-22 My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. (21) Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. (22) For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh. (KJV) My beloved brethren, taste and see for yourself that the Lord is good; trust in Him with all your heart and lean not to your own understanding; and may you prosper and be in health even as your soul prospers this day by partaking of, experiencing, and perceiving all that is good in you, which is Christ the sweetsmelling savour of God. Ephesians 5:2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour. (KJV) 2 Corinthians 2:15 For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ… God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Exodus 14:14 The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace. (KJV)
The way that we are able to hold our peace is when we let go and allow the Lord to do the fighting for us. Our fleshly human nature has a tendency to add fuel to a fire that the enemy has lit because it gets hopping mad and begins to imagine all that it is going to say and do to justify itself and make things right in its eyes; which we already know that the wrath of man works not the righteousness of God. Now if we have placed our flesh in subjection to the Spirit, allowing it (the Spirit of Christ) to rule and reign, we are able to extinguish with the living waters the fiery dart left by the enemy. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds. 2Corinthians 10:3-5 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (4) (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) (5) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; (6) And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled. (KJV) Obedience is better than sacrifice (having to ask for forgiveness). So my beloved brethren, hold your peace; fight the good fight of faith and lay hold of eternal life, and let the Lord fight for you to the end so that in all things you can boldly say the Lord is my helper, my redeemer, my strength, my fortress, and my Rock. God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. My dearly loved brethren…
Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Spirit, who dwelleth in you. (2Tim 1:13-14) Let no man dispise thy youth, but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. (1Tim 4:12) Let your conversation (manner of life) be without covetousness, and be content with such things as you have; for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. (Hebrews 13:5) Do all things without murmurings and disputing: That ye may be blameless and harmless, the Sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; Holding forth the word of life, that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain, neither labored in vain. (Philippians 2:14-16) (KJV) Think on these; and keep your mind renewed continually, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God in your life. God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. My dearly loved brethren…
Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality. Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not. Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits. Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good. (KJV) Romans 12:9-21 In all things continue to be an example of the believers in Christ, ready and willing to share the love of God this day and every day. God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:19…you can readily recall, can’t you, how at one time the more you did just what you felt like doing – not caring about others, not caring about God – the worse your life became and the less freedom you had? And how much different is it now as you live in God’s freedom, your lives healed and expansive in holiness? (from The Message translation)
James 2:15-16 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, (16) And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? (KJV) My dearly loved brethren, with freedom comes responsibility; it is no longer ‘I’ but Christ who lives in you; let all things be done in love unto righteousness and true holiness. 1 John 3:16-18 Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. (17) But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? (18) My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. (KJV) God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. |
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