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Colossians 2:2-4 That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ; 3 In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 4 And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words. (KJV)
There is a hidden spiritual treasure; it is up to you to find out where it is, who it involves, and how you can access it. Your carnal mind and its past way of thinking needs to be just that, passed away, because you will need to operate in his wisdom and knowledge from above and know who you are in Christ. Proverbs 14:6-8 A scorner seeks wisdom, and finds it not: but knowledge is easy unto him that understands. 7 Go from the presence of a foolish man, when thou perceives not in him the lips of knowledge. 8 The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way: but the folly of fools is deceit. (KJV) I picture a scorner as someone who is easily swayed, a people pleaser who uses others for their own advantage, which also accurately describes many manmade doctrines. You will need to seek out the truth for yourself and when you find it you will no longer find yourself surrounded by pretenders. You need to know personally how salvation works and how to stay put on the path of life that is your only escape from this present evil world. 1 Corinthians 1:21-24 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. 22 For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: 23 But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumbling block, and unto the Greeks foolishness; 24 But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. (KJV) Jesus of Nazareth would not have lasted long in the kingdom of God unless He knew how to access the wisdom from above which is in Christ. Jesus of Nazareth would not have had knowledge of salvation unless He knew for Himself the Son of God that was abiding in Him. Many know more of our Lord after the outward and only speak in the name of Jesus leaving Christ out of the equation. No wonder the enemy is referred to as antichrist, because without Christ, it leaves one powerless and not able to operate in the wisdom of God. 1 Corinthians 1:26-31 26 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: 27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; 28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to naught things that are: 29 That no flesh should glory in his presence. 30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: 31 That, according as it is written, He that glories, let him glory in the Lord. (KJV) The simple fact is that the more you realize how foolish your thoughts and ways are, the wiser you become in the Lord. Again we see in verse 30 that the Father and the Son are a package deal, and you can’t have one without the other. By leaving Christ out of the equation you leave out wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and the redemptive act our Lord did for us. Dearly loved, have a blessed and prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Ecclesiastes 3:10-11 I have seen the travail, which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised in it. 11 He hath made everything beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God makes from the beginning to the end. (KJV)
Travail is a result of being a bit out of tune, not in the place you need to be, or not in the time frame our Lord intended for it to be carried out in. You may have heard the Lord make a promise to you, or you have prayed about something, now it is a matter of waiting for it to manifest, even though you may think God didn’t hear you or is ignoring you. Isaiah 25:8-9 He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the LORD hath spoken it. 9 And it shall be said in that day, lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is the LORD; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation. (KJV) Sometimes salvation is a waiting process, where you are wait on the Lord before moving forward. The world we live in today is just the opposite, where we go through the drive through section and get what we want right away which is usually not too healthy. You should not be chasing anything in this life, but should be waiting on the Lord and allowing His blessings to catch up and overtake you. Sometimes the reason you don’t see the answer manifest is because you are running a bit ahead of the Lord and His perfect timeline. Isaiah 40:29-31 He gives power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increases strength. 30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: 31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. (KJV) Many today fall short of where God would have them to be in His body of believers, because rather than wait for Him they take off running in the opposite direction. Have you ever encountered a project that required some prep work, measuring ahead of time before doing the building? You know where you got a bit impatient and wanted to see results, only to find out that you have to start all over again because of your lack of patience. The more you got ahead of the project the more frustrating it is because you could have saved yourself a lot of time and energy by doing it right the first time. Isaiah 26:3-4 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusted in thee. 4 Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength: (KJV) Faith and patience is what accompanies perfection, and is a course that you want to stay on so that you can be strong in the Lord and the power of His might. Romans 8:24-25 For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? 25 But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it. (KJV) Just a reminder Church, you won’t find your answer in the outward realm anymore, rather your faith now needs to be in that which is unseen. Hebrews 11:1-2 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 2 For by it the elders obtained a good report. (KJV) Substance is a spiritual concrete that will hold the building up and keep it from being blown over so easily with contrary winds of doctrine. The evidence of your faith will be found in the realm of the Spirit and not the flesh. Ecclesiastes 3:1 To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: (KJV) Isn’t it time for you to experience this perfect peace for yourself? After all that is why God sent His Son. God bless dearly loved and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Luke 8:14-15 And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection. 15 But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience. (KJV)
Have you ever been excited about something and were gung ho, only to lose interest and end up chasing something else? Many people are like that who are caught up in exterior events and are ruled by emotions. So when the emotion or the honeymoon is over, so is their commitment. However, you will find that perfection or maturity is usually accompanied by another word, and that would be patience. In other words you can’t have one without the other. Hebrews 6:10-12 For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labor of love, which ye have showed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister. 11 And we desire that every one of you do show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: 12 That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises. (KJV) Have you ever let off the gas so to speak because it doesn’t appear like much is happening, well at least not outwardly? You get a bit frustrated because things just didn’t materialize according to your timeline? It can happen when you lose faith and start leaning back to your own understanding. In fact the enemy gets a bit louder when you get close to a victory in your life because he sure doesn’t want to see you cross that finish line. You’re not going to let that happen are you? James 1:2-4 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; 3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith works patience. 4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. (KJV) Of course there is going to be opposition in your walk, especially as you continue to move forward in Christ. Your faith will go on trial and the enemy will do all he can to discredit you and get you to back off again. It takes faith to let patience have its way, because the flesh is tempted to push the panic button and make things happen sooner rather than later. However, you realize as you grow and mature in Christ that by taking matters into your own hands it then takes it out of the Lord’s. James 1:5-8 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that gives to all men liberally, and upbraided not; and it shall be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavers is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. 7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. 8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways. (KJV) Have you ever seen or heard a double minded person, they have many different directions they are trying to go in at one time. If you happen to see that person staring back at you in the mirror, take a time out and head for the prayer closet so the Lord can enlighten you again. You will not experience His results until doing so, because He is not the author of confusion, but of peace. God bless dearly loved, have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Matthew 5:48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as you’re Father which is in heaven is perfect. (KJV)
Salvation is compared to an endurance race, one that is not completed as quickly as we would like it to be. Salvation is a continual growing process and similar to growing up and maturing in the realm of the flesh, you also need to grow and mature spiritually. Your life should be one where you are constantly learning to walk in a new and better realm and not just settling for old things. Philippians 3:10-12 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; 11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. 12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. (KJV) Long distance runners are healthy people who need to continue to exercise in order to compete. Many today are all in when it comes time for the blessings; it’s those sufferings and persecutions they could do without. However, in order to resurrect into a new life you will have to take up your cross and nail whatever area of the flesh is hindering your forward progress. Philippians 3:13-15 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in anything ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. (KJV) That word ‘press’ refers to suffer and persevere. You find with runners that the race is not won so much on race day, but on the days leading up to it and how one prepares for it. Every day is not always going to be calm and sunny, and you will need to continue to learn to move forward even in some inclement conditions. Luke 9:62 And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God. (KJV) Have you ever moved forward in your walk, and rather than continue you desired to go back to where you came from, you know like the children of Israel wanted to do after their exodus from Egypt? You will not find peace and contentment in the old. You need to continue pressing forward into what can be described at times as growing pains; and you will find that your life gets stale and old if you don’t step out in faith and move forward to the place you belong. 2 Corinthians 5:16-17 Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more. 17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold all things are become new. (KJV) It’s a lot easier to forget the past and those things which are behind us when you decide to step out and walk in a newness of life. What you find is that you have given the Lord something to work with when you are willing and obedient. So if things are not new and it seems like same old, same old, you need only to look at self to find the solution. Your carnal way of thinking and trying to figure out the Lord is not going to work either. Believe it or not, He doesn’t need your help or input. God bless dearly loved, and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Matthew 5:48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as you’re Father which is in heaven is perfect. (KJV)
Today the Lord has a perfect plan mapped out for you to follow which sometimes does include chastening. Our Lord chastens His people not out of anger, but in a loving way so that He can work in and through His children. Once you have allowed these changes to take place in the area He is working with you on, our Lord then considers you perfect in His sight despite the fact that we are still fallible beings. Luke 6:33-36 And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? For sinners also do even the same. 34 And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? For sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again. 35 But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. 36 Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful. (KJV) I know you get frustrated at times thinking life just isn’t fair. Well in the outward fallen realm of man it is not fair and will not be until our Lord returns to set things straight. In the meantime you’re going to have to bite the bullet so to speak and rise above what your feelings dictate. The more you operate in the realm of the Spirit, the greater the reward will be in the end. Matthew 7:2-5 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. 3 And why behold thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considers not the beam that is in thine own eye? 4 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? 5 Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shall thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye. (KJV) Let me ask this question, have you ever been mad about a situation and the enemy attached a physical face to it, like on a dartboard? I found a solution that was a real wakeup call when my reality check kept bouncing. I found the Lord asking me ‘why are you so worked up about a situation when it was something I never asked you to get involved with in the first place’. In other words, two wrongs do not make a right. Maybe the way things played out were not handled right by others which is why the Lord was not leading you in that direction. Sometimes we get torched in relationships and we let that anger continue long after the crash and burn. In the end we find out that there is a big difference between what God joins together and what our lower nature settles for. Matthew 18:26-27 The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. 27 Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt. (KJV) Remember how you started out with the Lord, when you realized you were bought back and redeemed from your slavery to sin? You were looking for some patience and mercy as well weren’t you? Matthew 18:28-30 But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellow servants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owes. 29 And his fellow servant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. 30 And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt. (KJV) So how have you handled things since your conversion, are patience and mercy still in play? Dearly loved, have a blessed and prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Matthew 5:46-48 For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? Do not even the publicans the same? 47 And if ye salute your brethren only, what do you more than others? Do not even the publicans so? 48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as you’re Father which is in heaven is perfect. (KJV)
When you see the word perfect being mentioned above it refers to maturity. Once you accept salvation as your new found way of life, you find that you can no longer compare yourself to those of this world; rather, the standards you live by are determined by the Lord. As you see above, God’s ways and thoughts totally contradict those we have been brought up with. You also find that in order to maintain peace with God it is according to spiritual maturity, not just reaching a certain age. James 3:1-2 My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation. 2 For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body. (KJV) If you read the entire book of James you will find the statement being made that we as believers in Christ should learn to be much quicker to hear, and slower to speak. We are encouraged not to be like the many who have assumed the position of teaching doctrines before they hear them first hand from God Himself. We all sin and fall short of the glory of God; however, one of the things that offends our Father the most is false teachings. James 3:3-5 Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. 4 Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listed. 5 Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasts great things. Behold how great a matter a little fire kindles! (KJV) Only you can prevent spiritual fires that are fanned with winds of false doctrines that are dry and make good kindling. God’s people, those that He considers mature or perfect, are the ones that have rivers of living waters coming out of them like a fire hydrant. James 3:6-8 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. 7 For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: 8 But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. (KJV) Your tongue is an extension of your heart; so what you allow into the heart is what will be coming out of the mouth. You cannot tame your heart or keep it bridled without some divine intervention. 1 Corinthians 13:9-11 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. 10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. 11 When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. (KJV) The middle wall of partition was broken down by the sacrifice of our Lord so that we could see and operate with a more mature understanding of how the plan of salvation really operates. You will find that by speaking things you know, and not something that you just hear from others will go a long way toward you maturing in Christ the way He intended to see you, perfected. God bless dearly loved, and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Ephesians 6:5-8 Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; 6 Not with eye service, as men pleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; 7 With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men: 8 Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free. (KJV)
To sum up this week we have been looking within to what our true motive of the heart is and if we have pared it down to pleasing our Lord only. If you truly desire the Lord’s reward then it has to be done unto Him in all aspects of your walk, not just on Sundays. Luke 6:33-35 And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? For sinners also do even the same. 34 And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? For sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again. 35 But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. (KJV) You know when you do something for your own advantage then you take the Lord out of the equation and settle for man’s reward instead. When you lend or give to others unto the Lord only then you are now eligible for the greatest reward available. So what it comes down to is your motive, and is it the right one? Proverbs 19:16-17 He that keeps the commandment keeps his own soul; but he that despises his ways shall die. 17 He that hath pity upon the poor lends unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again. (KJV) When you do things for God’s people you are no longer looking at them from the outward, but you are looking within and seeing Christ in them. You are willing to give whatever is needed, not looking for a payback from man, but letting the Lord be your reward instead. Proverbs 22:7 The rich rules over the poor and the borrower is servant to the lender. (KJV) I bring this point up because I have seen many relationships shattered and obliterated because of carnal things. Lend hoping for nothing in return; in other words, if someone asks for help in the financial area, instead of putting stipulations on it consider it gone and given unto the Lord. If the borrower pledges to pay it back then that is between them and God. The lender actually becomes a servant as well if the pledge isn’t paid back in a timely manner, which can allow many fiery darts to penetrate your spiritual armor. James 2:14-17 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? Can faith save him? 15 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? 17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. (KJV) What you will find that works as far as salvation is concerned is having the proper motive of your heart and the proper reason for doing things. If it is to be pleasing to our Father in heaven then you will be giving to His people what is needed and not looking for anything in return, at least not from mankind. If you are doing it for the wrong motive, then you can chalk it up to dead works. Last time I looked we serve a God of the living and not the dead. Matthew 25:44-46 Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee a hungered, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? 45 Then shall he answer them, saying, verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. 46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal. (KJV) Spiritually there are a lot of hungry people searching for truth who are not clothed with a robe of righteousness. As we see illustrated above those that don’t have the right motive will not have the right response to our Lord’s people who are considered one and the same with Him. Its bad enough they crucified Him once, its worse when we do it all over again crucifying His doctrine which we see He takes quite personally. Try your hearts dearly loved whether your motives are upright or not; seek to please God and let Him be true. And finally dear brethren, be not unwise but understanding what the will of the Lord is. God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Colossians 3:23-25 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; 24 Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. 25 But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons. (KJV)
Someday you will stand before our Lord seeking entrance into His kingdom and looking for your eternal reward. Those that make it in will be the ones that made salvation a way of life and not just some weekly ritual. You will find that our Lord would like to reward you today; however, there are terms and conditions for receiving it. Matthew 6:1-3 Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. 2 Therefore when thou doest alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, they have their reward. 3 But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: (KJV) The true Christians that we have left today are not really well known or popular; well, at least not with mankind. Those that have a big following are more of a people pleasing bunch who won’t do anything without an audience. As you can clearly see their reward is limited and their doctrines are limiting God from working on their behalf. Matthew 6:4-6 That your alms may be in secret: and thy Father which sees in secret himself shall reward thee openly. 5 And when you pray, thou shall not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, they have their reward. 6 But thou, when you pray, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which sees in secret shall reward thee openly. (KJV) When the motive of your heart is right you are far less concerned with what man thinks and only concerned with pleasing our Lord. I get tired of those that think their prayers are much more effective when they have an audience, or those that have to let everyone know how much they pray. I would rather have our Lord’s reward any day, knowing who I am in Christ and my place in His body of believers. 2 Corinthians 6:9-10 As unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed; 10 As sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things. (KJV) Those that seek their reward from God know who they are in Christ despite the outward appearance. Those that are known of God are not well known with man because they are neither seeking mans’ approval or attention. Which one are you pleasing today, the outward fallen man, or God? Galatians 4:8-11 Howbeit then, when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods. 9 But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage? 10 Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years. 11 I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labor in vain. (KJV) Many claim they know God based on their works, however, I would rather be known of Him based on what I allow Him to work in me today. You know you might want to take a second look at some of those holidays that man observes and claims are of God. Do you do these things because God says to observe them, or would it fall into the category of pleasing people? Something to ponder dearly loved. God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. 1 Corinthians 8:11-12 And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died? 12 But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ. (KJV)
Do you see how important your actions and example are, not only within the friendly confines of your church organizations, but what you do outside of them which speaks volumes also? Do you see how personally our Lord takes things, not only in the positive, but the negative also? So today it’s time to be quick to hear and slower to speak. James 2:1-3 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 wears 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: (KJV) Again we see our Lord letting us know how different His ways and thoughts are toward His people. Many judge by the outward instead of ministering to the inward man, and in reality they end up wounding our Lord again. James 2:5-7 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? 6 But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats? 7 Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by which ye are called? (KJV) While watching one of the many, and what seems like endless telethons which man’s religions keep dreaming up, they actually offer more perks to those that give the most. They give the most recognition to those that offer the most, but it’s the other way around with the Lord. Not a good place to be in come the day when our Lord will separate His sheep from the goats. Proverbs 13:6-7 Righteousness keeps him that is upright in the way: but wickedness overthrows the sinner. 7 There is that makes himself rich, yet hath nothing: there is that makes himself poor, yet hath great riches. (KJV) What is it that you really hunger and thirst for today? Is it the riches of this world and man’s recognition, or are you seeking to please God? The world today and its worldly preachers are pointing the people to the outward realm thinking more is better, while those few that are chosen of God are looking to all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge that is only found in Christ. Exodus 23:8-9 And thou shall take no gift: for the gift blinded the wise, and perverted the words of the righteous. 9 Also thou shall not oppress a stranger: for ye know the heart of a stranger, seeing ye were strangers in the land of Egypt. (KJV) When you get caught up again in the outward fallen realm it can have a blinding effect on those that play favorites. That word gift is also referred to as a bribe, and many doctrines have been changed and altered by mankind to keep the gifts flowing in their direction. Ezekiel 22:12-13 In thee have they taken gifts to shed blood; thou hast taken usury and increase, and thou hast greedily gained of thy neighbors by extortion, and hast forgotten me, says the Lord GOD. 13 Behold, therefore I have smitten mine hand at thy dishonest gain which thou hast made, and at thy blood which hath been in the midst of thee. (KJV) You know when these false prophets preach about seed faith and the hundredfold return that is when you need to be heading for the exits and not for the ATM machine. Because when they do these things they are in essence wounding Christ personally and that’s not something you want to be lending your support to. God bless dearly loved, and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. 2 Corinthians 5:15-17 And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again. 16 Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more. 17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold all things are become new. (KJV)
As a member of the body of Christ your vision of people should change from the outward appearance to the inward one. How you used to view people, especially the believers in Christ, is going to become new and different from how you viewed them in the past. If you desire to worship our Lord in Spirit and truth then you will have to be open to a new way of seeing within. Matthew 25:31-33 When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: 32 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats: 33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. (KJV) Our Lord is going to return and judge people according to His standards and not mans’. In order for you to be on the right side instead of left out you will need to look beyond the realm of the flesh. Matthew 25:34-36 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: 35 For I was a hungered, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: 36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. (KJV) Did you notice that when the Lord referred to one of His people that we encountered how personally He takes it, referring to them as I, one in the same? When you do things for members of the body do you see it as being done personally unto the Lord, or do you treat people less because of their outward appearance? Matthew 25:37-40 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee a hungered, and fed thee? Or thirsty, and gave thee drink? 38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? Or naked, and clothed thee? 39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? 40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. (KJV) Do you provide the same effort to those that are looked down on by man, yet our Lord considers one of His? Do you notice how our Lord takes it personally, and when you minister to these people you are actually doing it unto Him? 1 Corinthians 12:22-24 Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary: 23 And those members of the body, which we think to be less honorable, upon these we bestow more abundant honor; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness. 24 For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honor to that part which lacked: (KJV) Feeble refers to weak, a member that could use some encouragement and uplifting. It seems those that could use the help and are considered necessary members of the body of Christ are actually those that are overlooked and neglected. That kind of thinking is considered old and should be passing away if you are going to walk in the new today. God bless dearly loved, and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. |
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