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Good day. Today's video Highly Motivated is on the topic of: Are you highly motivated in serving God or men? What is the motive of your heart when you pray, when you worship, when you share the gospel of Christ, is it to be seen of men or are you doing these things truly seeking to please the Lord? We are to enter into our own closet and shut the door and pray to our Father who is in secret, and our heavenly Father who sees in secret (the motive of our heart) will reward us openly. We are to worship our Father in spirit and in truth, for our Father seeks such to worship him (God is a Spirit; and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth), not as an outward show that others can glory in our fleshly display of worship that men teach. We are to share the gospel of Christ in sincerity and in truth, not for the sake of money or to be seen of men, it is doing all things whole heartedly as unto the Lord and not unto men. We cannot serve two masters; for either we will hate the one and love the other; or else we will hold to the one and despise the other. We cannot serve God and mammon (money); and it is written that the love of money is the root of all evil, and for many they will compromise the gospel of Christ to keep the people happy and in the pews, which stinks to high heaven; or they will compromise their faith and walk in Christ for the things of this life or to please men; money answers all things, it reveals the motive of the heart. Ecclesiastes 5:13-15 There is a sore evil which I have seen under the sun, namely, riches kept for the owners thereof to their hurt. But those riches perish by evil travail: and he begetteth a son, and there is nothing in his hand. As he came forth of his mother's womb, naked shall he return to go as he came, and shall take nothing of his labour, which he may carry away in his hand (KJV). John 6:27 Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed (KJV). Proverbs 23:4 Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom (KJV). We cannot please God and men; a double minded man is unstable in all his ways. The LORD sees not as man sees, for man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart (the motive), he knows the secrets of the heart, the righteous God tries the hearts and reins (mind) (1 Samuel 6:7, Psalms 44:21, Psalms 7:9). Remember we will all stand before the judgement seat of Christ and give account of our lives, whether it be good or bad. Who or what motivates you? Examine yourself with the leading of the Holy Spirit and find out, and if there be anything contrary to sound doctrine, remove it, get rid of it out of your heart, with the Lord's help. Study to show yourself approved unto God a workman who needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth; because the truth is what will make you free and keep you free indeed (reality). Ask yourself this question: "Do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ." If you find that you are pleasing men more than God then make the correction in your life and continue forward in your walk in Christ standing fast in the liberty with which he has made you free and don't be entangled again in that yoke of bondage or any other that may be hindering your walk, including the traditions and doctrines of men. And don't let the cares of this life, the deceitfulness of riches, or lusts of other things enter into your heart which will hinder you and choke the Word that is written in your heart, and it becomes unfruitful; watch and pray always, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. Brethren, get highly motivated from above where Christ sits on the right hand of God our Father and put away pleasing man. God bless and keep the faith. You can view all previous videos by going to our YouTube channel Doctrine of Christ Ministry or by clicking on our archive page link above - Doctrine of Christ Ministry Archive. Have a blessed and prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Good day. Today we are posting Looking Within day one of five, written October 25, 2010. Our prayer is that you will be blessed and encouraged by this five day series of our writings. ***You can download a copy of the writings for personal use only by clicking on the Doctrine of Christ Ministry Archive page link above and scroll down to the year 2010.
Monday, October 25, 2010 Looking Within Luke 17:19-21 And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole. (20) And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: (21) Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you. (KJV) A leper who was healed and made whole again returned to give thanks to our Lord, who at that time was manifest in the flesh. Now that our Lord has moved on, and is seated at the right hand of the Father, our search for truth needs to take place within, so that we can see the answer that our Lord has for us to be whole. A life in the past dictated by outward things is now done away in Christ, so that all things can become new. When you need an answer, when something is lacking and you need to be made whole, learning to look within is the only place that you will find the Lord’s response, an answer with some real substance. John 14:26-27 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. (27) Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. (KJV) The reason that our Lord was manifest in the flesh was so that He could pay the price for our sin. Our Lord delivered a perfect sacrifice to our Father that He accepted once and for all, and then sent us a Comforter so that we could be comforted from within, and no longer have to live a life based on outward circumstances. The world and the so called peace it brings, is based on outward things that can never bring comfort because they change and fluctuate with the times. The peace of God is like God, it never changes nor is altered by any outward events. Are you experiencing this peace today, or are you troubled with cares and concerns of this world, things that our Lord said He would handle for us? Colossians 3:14-15 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. (15) And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. (KJV) Many people claim that they are serving our Lord, yet their decisions are based on the outward and not an inward vision. Without a vision God’s own people perish, because they limit God by their own limited carnal minds. Are you letting the peace of God rule today, or are you settling for the path of least resistance? Philippians 4:6-7 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. (7) And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (KJV) Again, we are encouraged not to be careful, troubled, or anxious about outward things, but rather our attention is now focused on a new inward man that is coming to life and having a greater influence on us than anyone or anything in this fallen world. The peace of God passes our limited carnal understanding, and goes straight to the Head of the class. Are you going to the Head of the Church today, passing by any negative thoughts that would keep you in bondage? Have a blessed and prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Good morning. Today's video Changing is on the topic of changing from relying on the outward to the inward. 2 Corinthians 4:16 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. (KJV) We should be ever changing in our walk in the Spirit; walking more by faith and less by sight; not being limited by just the outward. Our outward man is perishing, but the inward man is to be renewed day by day from relying on the outward, what you can see, hear, and touch, to relying more on the inward, the leading and guiding of the Holy Spirit, Christ in you the hope of glory. Without faith it is impossible to please God; one must believe that he is and that he is a rewarder of those who diligently seek him. It is not the outward worship that will get you home; it is the inward, God is a Spirit and those who worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth, for those are the ones that he is seeking. The just shall live by faith. Romans 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. (KJV) Our faith should not stand in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. We were given the mind of Christ; now it is learning on a daily basis to operate in that mind, being led by the Spirit so that we are able to come to know the good, acceptable, and perfect will of God for ourselves. 1 Peter 4:1-2 Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. (KJV) The old man, the old nature that we were born into this world with, is perishing each moment that we choose to walk in the Spirit; changing of the guard so to speak, being armed with the mind of Christ which enables us to cast down imaginations and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God; and bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ in us. And in the mind of Christ we have a readiness to punish disobedience when our obedience is fulfilled just as the Lord Jesus Christ did (Colossians 2:12-15). Man does not live by bread alone (physical), but by every word that proceeds forth from the mouth of God (being led by the Spirit). Changing from going by our natural senses to our spiritual senses which should be exercised to discern both good and evil; to discern between the voice of the Lord and the voice of a stranger (Satan). We have an unction (the mind of Christ) from the Holy One and know all things. 1 Corinthians 2:14-16 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ. (KJV) There are many who are ever learning but never able to come to the knowledge of the truth which is in them. Why? Because although they may have begun in the Spirit, they are now trying to perfect their walk according to the flesh by following man’s traditions and doctrines instead perfecting their walk according to the leading of the Holy Spirit, which was given unto us to lead and guide us into all truth; i.e. to know all things according to wisdom of God and not the wisdom of men or that of the world. Colossians 1:26-28 Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus: (KJV) Our Father desires for us to go from a child of God, to a perfect mature man/woman of God in Christ Jesus. Able ministers of the truth that was in Jesus, which is also in us; Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God; and our only hope of glory. God bless. 1 Peter 1:13-16 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. (KJV) Isaiah 1:19 If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land: (KJV) You can view all previous videos by going to our YouTube channel Doctrine of Christ Ministry. Have a blessed and prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Good morning, today's encouragement is to wait on the Lord having your strength renewed, and cast all your care unto God, so that He may exalt you in due time. Will you patiently wait? If you would like to download a copy click on the Daily Bread For Life Archive link above to access the link to get your downloaded copy. Have a blessed and prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Wait On Me
Will you wait on me when you are weary, saith the Lord, that I may renew your strength? Isaiah 40:28-31 Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding. 29 He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth 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) If you wait, my strength is made perfect in weakness; Please wait on me. Will you wait on and seek me when you are hungry and thirsty, saith the Lord, that I may fulfill your need? Psalms 34:10 The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good thing. (KJV) Psalms 42:1 As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. (KJV) If you wait, my storehouse will be full of meat that I will pour out a blessing that there shall not be room enough to receive it; and your cup will run over with good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and you shall not lack. Please wait on me. Will you wait on me and humble yourself, saith the Lord, that I may do the caring for you? 1 Peter 5:6-7 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: 7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. (KJV) If you wait, I will care for you, and you shall know that I am the Lord. I am with you and you shall have my strength, and not be afraid, and I will be your help to watch steadfastly in the faith able to resist the devil that he will flee; and you shall not be ashamed or confounded because you set your face like a flint and have received my testimony and set to your seal that God is true. Please wait on me. Will you wait on me, saith the Lord, after you have suffered a while, that I may glorify you unto the God of all grace? 1 Peter 5:10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. (KJV) If you wait, I will humble thee, and try thee, and prove thee whether you will hold fast unto the God of all grace who has called you unto his eternal glory by me; and after you have suffered a while, I will have made you perfect, established in the faith, strengthened with all might, grounded and settled, abiding in me, as I in you, and you in Him; the Father glorified in and through us. Please wait on me. Proverbs 3:19-26 The LORD by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath he established the heavens. 20 By his knowledge the depths are broken up, and the clouds drop down the dew. 21 My son, let not them depart from thine eyes: keep sound wisdom and discretion: 22 So shall they be life unto thy soul, and grace to thy neck. 23 Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble. 24 When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet. 25 Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh. 26 For the LORD shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken. (KJV) Proverbs 4:11-12 I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in right paths. 12 When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened (be narrow, be in distress or vexed); and when thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble. (KJV) Will you wait on me, saith the Lord, that I may exalt you in due time? If you wait, taking my yoke upon you and learn of me (for I am meek and lowly in heart), you shall find rest unto your souls; for my yoke is easy, and my burden is light; so please wait on me, saith the Lord Christ Jesus, that I may exalt you in due time. God bless dear Church, and have a wonderful day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen. Good afternoon. Today's video Care Less is on the topic of what gives your Father in Heaven good pleasure. You can view all previous videos by going to our YouTube channel Doctrine of Christ Ministry. Have a blessed and prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Good morning, today's encouragement, being that you are a son/daughter of God through Jesus Christ our Lord, is to humble yourselves before God our Father and cast all your care for your life unto Him for He cares for you. If you would like to download a copy click on the Daily Bread For Life Archive link above to access the link to get your downloaded copy. Have a blessed and prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Humble Yourselves
1 Corinthians 3:18-20 Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise. 19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness. 20 And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain. (KJV) Psalms 94:11 The LORD knoweth the thoughts of man, that they are vanity. (KJV) Hebrews 4:11-12 Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief. 12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. (KJV) We are encouraged in Matthew 6 and Luke 12 to not take thought for our life since our Father in heaven already knows what we have need of. In Hebrews 4:11 above it also encourages us to labour to enter in to that same rest as God did after He created the heavens and the earth and all that is in it, including mankind; and cease from our own works which in God’s sight can be utter foolishness. Thinking we can add one cubit (or measure) unto our stature (maturity) by taking thought or being anxious about what we need, or what may or may not happen today, or tomorrow is foolishness unto God. If you read Ecclesiastes you will notice how many times Solomon writes about how the things of this life are vanity; here today and could be gone tomorrow. He said vanity, vanity, all is vanity; which means empty. All that mankind seeks after, if it is not the kingdom of God and His righteousness first, it is vanity. It will come to nothing; it will decay and perish with this world; including mankind in their own thoughts, wisdom, and righteousness (which is as filthy rags in the sight of God). Isaiah 55:8-9 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. 9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. (KJV) In other words, put away your thoughts and ways which will lead to vanity. Humble yourselves by casting all your care unto God and let Him do the caring for you. And be ready to cast down imaginations and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and to bring every thought in to captivity to the obedience of Christ so that you can have an abundant life of peace that leads to eternal life, knowing that God’s got you covered. 1 Peter 5:6-7 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: 7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. (KJV) Isaiah 55:1-2 Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. 2 Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness. (KJV) God gave us life and purpose in Christ Jesus, His free gift to us, to become the sons of God by grace through faith, and not of works lest any man should boast that it was of his own doing, whether spiritually or physically. He has given us all that we need to live an abundant life and yet man thinks they know what is best for their life here on earth. Remember, our life is but a vapor, here today, could be gone in a moment. Life is fragile, so who better than our Father in heaven leading and guiding our life so that it does not end up shattered; and in the end when we stand before His throne we can give a good account of our life, and then our advocate Jesus Christ will stand up on our behalf and justify our life unto God as well, sealing us for eternity in Him. So instead of being anxious for the things of this life, we should be keeping our hearts and minds set on things above; those things that are everlasting, an eternal weight of glory, the hope that does not make us ashamed because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit which was given unto us by Jesus Christ, our only hope of glory. Then all else that we have need of in this life will be added unto us by our Father in heaven for He cares for us. In conclusion dear brethren… Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. (KJV) God bless dear Church; humble yourselves and come to God as a child and let Him do the caring for your life; enter into His rest and be ready always in faith and obedience with patience to hear, receive, and do those things that are pleasing to our Father in Heaven through His Son Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen. Good morning. Today's video Easing Of The Burden is on the topic of allowing the Lord to help find and ease the burden you are carrying around in your spiritual backpack. Will you let Him? You can view all previous videos by going to our YouTube channel Doctrine of Christ Ministry. Have a blessed and prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Good morning. This week's video Cast is on the topic of casting all your care unto God through Jesus Christ and leaving it there. You can view all previous videos by going to our YouTube channel Doctrine of Christ Ministry. Have a blessed and prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord Philippians 4:6-7 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. (7) And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (KJV)
Thayer’s definition for ‘careful’: 3309 merimnao- 1) to be anxious, to be troubled with cares 2) to care for, to look out for (a thing) a) to seek to promote one's interests b) caring or providing for Why should we not be careful? Which by the way, many people tell others to take care thus endorsing the behavior of doing just that. Yes we should take care, take it to the throne of God and leave it there; then let His peace rule in your situation and not what the outward is trying to dictate or distort. This peace of God goes beyond our own understanding, similar to when our Lord was actually sleeping in the bow of a boat while a storm was brewing all around Him. Rather than panic and abandon ship as many do, He calmly spoke the word of God and the winds stilled, and on He went to His destination. Wouldn’t that be a neat way to live? Well practice makes perfect, so learning to be faithful in small things will allow you to grow and be faithful in bigger areas of your walk. 1 Peter 5:5-7 Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. (6) Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: (7) Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. (KJV) You know we hear about humility, being humble before our Lord, which as we see in the above verses is a good thing and one our Lord blesses. What is true humility? Well simply put it is casting all your care upon the Lord and then actually leaving it with Him, trusting in the Lord with all your heart and not leaning back to your own understanding. After all isn’t that the reason you sought the Lord in the first place, because you were looking for something better in your life, something complete that would supply all your need? What you found out was that the need was spiritual, something totally opposite to what you have been taught all your life, a life in the past that could only seek temporal things that only provided part of your answer but could never bring peace. God resists the proud because they are resisting Him thinking they know better. Anytime we cast something before our Lord only to take it back and try to fix things on our own we enter the realm of the proud, the haughty; you know, that pride that comes just before the fall? Sometimes the enemy gets people weighed down with cares and concerns, and then instead of being still and waiting upon the Lord they end up taking things to extremes thinking they can work themselves out of a situation, chasing a blessing or what they think is one and not letting the blessing overtake them. The reason many people miss out on a blessing and an answer to their prayers is because instead of being still they are off and running, like in football running out of bounds and not moving forward. Luke 10:38-42 Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. (39) And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word. (40) But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. (41) And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: (42) But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her. (KJV) Which category are you under today? Are you one cumbered, which means to be distracted or overly occupied with, or are you one that seeks first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and then all that is needed is provided? Did you make it a priority to hear the word of God and make Him welcome into your house, which you just happen to be the temple our Lord dwells in, or were you trying to impress Him with your works? Mary chose that one thing that would not be taken from her, that being the peace of God; while we see Martha running herself ragged and not at peace. Are you chasing blessings thinking you will impress God with your works, or have you found that just weight and balance of hearing the Lord first and foremost for yourself then following the path He has set for you? Some people are just lazy and sit around waiting for others to do things for them, while others are high strung and ready to snap because the enemy has them running in circles. I have seen people involved in so called church organizations who are so caught up with projects they think will be beneficial to the congregation, when in reality the simple truth is for them to hear the word of the Lord and then present the truth that will set them free from any bondage the enemy is trying to keep them in. When one humbles themselves before the Lord then they are exalted and lifted up to His standards and able to get the results He intended, instead of running to and fro being blown around with every wind of doctrine. Some people get themselves in financial trouble and then think they can work their way out of it, sometimes racking up many hours of overtime that takes away from their time with the Lord. It is of utmost importance to find the just weight and balance the Lord is asking so that you are not too cumbered with the things of this life and missing out on the things of the eternal realm. Psalms 55:22 Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved. (KJV) You have access to the throne of God today so that you can boldly enter into His realm and sit with our Lord at His feet, hearing the message He has for you this day. It is our Lord’s good pleasure to give us of His kingdom, a plan of salvation that is based on grace and not on our works so that none are able to boast. Have you truly cast your burden upon the Lord so that you can stay seated with Him in heavenly places, or have you taken it back and are running around this fallen realm thinking you can handle it? Give it to the Lord and leave it there so that you don’t have to be careful; how about peaceful instead? God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Philippians 4:6-8 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. (7) And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (8) Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. (KJV)
When we see the word careful, it refers to anxious, something opposite of patience, which the Bible says we should be letting patience have its perfect work. The peace of God you are experiencing is a result of knowing that the petitions you have made to God were heard and now it is a matter of thanking Him knowing it is provided even though it hasn’t yet manifested in the outward. Knowing how and what to ask for will help you keep that peace and operate in the realm the Lord intended for you to be in. Proverbs 16:11 A just weight and balance are the LORD's: all the weights of the bag are his work. (KJV) One of the things that would be considered just, is operating and dealing with today, not letting the mind drift off into a stormy sea of doubt and fear, but staying beside the still living waters that bring life. Mankind plays on fear of tomorrow, especially in the retail world where many sales are based on bulk and not just what is needed now. So many times instead of purchasing what is needed to get by a person ends up with three times the amount they intended because that is how it is advertised. Of course it is packaged in a way that unless one buys today it will never again be at that price so that you end up making a purchase on emotions. Spiritually many Christians overlook simple areas of their walk and end up with their thoughts drifting way out to sea fueled by winds of doctrine. How much more peace would you have if you only dealt with what the Lord was asking for today and not tossed around with carnal thoughts of tomorrow or any other imaginary event? James 4:1-3 From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members? (2) Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. (3) Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts. (KJV) Do you know the difference between what is of the flesh and of the Spirit; in other words, rightly dividing the word of truth? That thing you are now entangled with, the affairs of this life which our Lord never intended for His people to be all caught up in, is drawing you away from the Lord rather than closer. Verse 2 uses the word kill; so what exactly is being killed? Well how about that new life in Christ you said was His for the taking, which is now taking a back seat to something of the world and not the word of God. You decided it was time to have something based more on lust than Spirit. So that thing you had to have, the one thing you thought would bring peace is bringing nothing less than heartache and misery where there should have been peace and joy. Give us this day our daily bread, so simple, so peaceful, and yet so complicated when we lean to our own understanding. Exodus 16:22-24 And it came to pass, that on the sixth day they gathered twice as much bread, two omers for one man: and all the rulers of the congregation came and told Moses. (23) And he said unto them, This is that which the LORD hath said, To morrow is the rest of the holy sabbath unto the LORD: bake that which ye will bake to day, and seethe that ye will seethe; and that which remaineth over lay up for you to be kept until the morning. (24) And they laid it up till the morning, as Moses bade: and it did not stink, neither was there any worm therein. (KJV) As we can see there is a big difference between when the Lord is leading and when we are leaning to our own thoughts. The Lord’s way will keep us in peace and not lead to stinking thinking, which I am sure tasted much better without the worms. When we start thinking beyond where the Lord is asking us then we end up with holes in our doctrine, a place for the worms to crawl in and out of. Do you desire peace in your life? Then you need to monitor and keep a close watch on what you are thinking on as well, keeping every thought in obedience to Christ so that you can stay in that peaceful realm of the Spirit separated from this troubled world and its ways. Exodus 16:25-28 And Moses said, Eat that to day; for to day is a sabbath unto the LORD: to day ye shall not find it in the field (26) Six days ye shall gather it; but on the seventh day, which is the sabbath, in it there shall be none. (27) And it came to pass, that there went out some of the people on the seventh day for to gather, and they found none. (28) And the LORD said unto Moses, How long refuse ye to keep my commandments and my laws? (KJV) Oh there is one in every crowd isn’t there, you know the bad apple in the bunch. You wonder why at times there is not peace in your life; maybe you or your mind is wandering off in areas the Lord is not leading. Just because the Lord had you do something one way in the past and you got results doesn’t always mean He is going to provide the same answer all the time in that way. The question now is, where is the Lord leading and how is He asking you to gather your daily bread for today? Are you open to what the Lord has for you and where He would like you to be operating today, or are you already into next week fumbling around in the dark? Or as we see in the above verses, are you trying old ways to walk in the new and then wonder why you don’t get the Lord’s results? Take the time on a daily basis so that you can hear the message being delivered by Christ and boldly gather the bread of life that is proceeding forth from the mouth of God. God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. |
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