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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)
Here is a good frame of mind to be in for someone serving our Lord no matter how small or trivial it may seem to us; putting our whole heart into it, doing it heartily unto our Lord is all that matters for His approval. Even when making a bed, cleaning a room, or doing dishes. Think of the frame of mind you would be in if the president of the United States was coming over, or some famous celebrity or athlete. You would go out of your way checking and double checking making sure everything was in order and done right. Now, keep that same mindset concerning our Lord; if He was coming over personally would it be to His satisfaction, or would you cut corners and do a quick job just to get it done and out of the way, like we do with other people, even the Lord’s people? So how much more diligent would you be; how much more would you pay attention to details knowing the Lord Himself was going to do a personal inspection? Someday that scenario will take place before His judgment seat. If you have become accustomed to serving our Lord whole heartedly and are not ashamed now, then you can be confident you won’t have anything to be ashamed of when you stand before Him either some day. I have seen many in the workplace claiming to be one of God’s people who spend time talking about the Lord in one breath, then basically throw their testimony out the window by their half hearted efforts on the job. Instead of being an example of the believer, giving credence to their belief and the God they claim to serve, they overlook these simple areas of their walk; and by not being faithful in things they consider the least important they never move on in their walk with the Lord, and are unable to be trusted by Him for other things. Just like those that desire the office of a bishop, or any other elder, or overseer of the Church, if they overlook their home life, it being a wreck, then they will be unable to oversee the affairs of the Church. Titus 1:15-16 Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled. (16) They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate. (KJV) The Bible says blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God. When one is not doing the will of God from the heart the motives are no longer pure, but there has been a breach in the heart, something unhealthy has gotten into it. It starts with little things, a lazy half hearted effort that eventually progresses more and more to the point of one becoming a reprobate, which means to be unapproved; unfit and rejected were also included in the definition of reprobate. So how pure are your motives; what is your reason for serving the Lord? Is your relationship with our Lord based on a love and understanding of His word and what He is asking of you, or are you lot more talk than walk? 1 Peter 3:1-4 Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; (2) While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear. (3) Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; (4) But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. (KJV) I use the above example because it not only applies to the wives, but can be applicable for all Christians as well. The word conversation means behavior or conduct, which means that actions truly do speak louder than just words or vain lip service. Do you have enough confidence in your walk that you can be an example of the believers by your walk and not just the talk? The Bible talks about finding a just balance in our lives; and though many can quote scriptures and talk about the Lord they overlook the walk part, and at times when to just keep silent. Remember it’s not how man sees you according to the outward adorning or any other physical apparel, but rather that hidden new man within the heart is what the Lord is looking at; and in His sight a meek and quiet spirit is highly sought after and of great price, or precious is another way of putting it. Just like the old saying in reference to a pig, no matter how much makeup and lipstick you put on it, it is still a pig and will end up running back to the pigpen when given the opportunity. Many who claim to be Christians follow the same pattern; and it seems like the more one has to dress up and adorn the outward, the more they are trying to hide the true inward motives and intents of the heart. Psalms 62:7-8 In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God. (8) Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah. (KJV) You wonder why at times the heart seems heavy and you are unable to keep yourself focused on the things of God? All that effort you have been putting into hiding from God, and justifying yourself before man is a waste of time and useless. Trusting in the Lord means that you open up to Him just like you would with someone close to you, or someone you have trusted, you now open up to Him and ask for help. Being that He already knows our heart and what our true motives are, only the truth will set us free; and that truth begins on our end also by acknowledging the issue and asking for His help. It’s okay to pour out your heart to God; remember this relationship is a two way street, and so in order to maintain a healthy partnership one needs to be open and honest. Our Father is a God of love and would like nothing better than to be able to give you His truth in the matter, and set you free so that you can serve Him whole heartedly, and not be bogged down with cares and concerns of this life. The Lord is standing at the door of your heart today and knocking, will you open up and let Him in, or are you keeping Him on the outside, looking through the peephole only to catch a glimpse? With what measure you give out is what will be measured back to you; simply put, the more you open up to Him the more He will open up to you. The more you allow Him into your life, into all of your decisions concerning your walk, the more rock solid the relationship becomes. God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. 2 Timothy 2:23-26 But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes. (24) And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, (25) In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; (26) And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will. (KJV)
As Christians, those who should be imitators of Christ, we should be avoiding foolish and unlearned questions about our faith, especially from those that are not truly seeking a closer relationship with the Lord, but rather are trying to discredit the sacrifice the Son gave of Himself for the salvation of the world. Secondly, no one wins an argument; the fact that you engaged in the situation puts you in a no win outcome because you have lowered your standards to those of the world, and have entered a realm that God doesn’t operate in. Does God need you to defend Him? When I look through the Bible I see where He has handled things just fine; and when He decides to get His point across He is more than capable of doing it without mans’ help or approval. The only way someone is going to recover themselves out of the snare of the devil is when they make a choice to serve the God of love and not some self righteous loud mouth who thinks they will be heard for their much speaking. You want to fight and argue, go on one of the shows similar to what was the Jerry Springer show. You want to serve the Lord, then quit engaging in silly dead end debates which only breed more strife and contention. Matthew 6:5-7 And when thou prayest, thou shalt 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 thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. (7) But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. (KJV) Why all these silly debates about prayer in schools or any other public venues? If that is not enough, then they pull out the soapbox and stand in front of other public institutions and whine and debate over the Ten Commandments or the lack of them. Pick your battles folks and use some wisdom. The Bible says we are to pray without ceasing, so until this body gives up the ghost I am free to do that no matter what anyone else thinks or says. So why do you need an audience or a public venue to pray in, when the Bible tells us just the opposite? Are your prayers going to be more effective if you can say them in a schoolyard or in front of a government building? I don’t think so. Many run around and demand their constitutional rights, and ignore the wisdom of God and His instruction on how to live in this world and to keep oneself unspotted from it. You want to pray in public? Then you have your reward. If you wish to receive the reward of inheritance then do what the word of God says and avoid this foolishness and nonsense. 2 Timothy 2:3-5 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. (4) No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier. (5) And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully. (KJV) Again, if you wish to receive the eternal crown of life which the Lord will give to His people then it can only be achieved by doing it according to what the word of God says in agreement with the law of faith. There are differences in battles and different strategies that will allow you to be victorious, knowing the difference and rightly discerning what is of God and what isn’t can save you from an old fashioned behind the woodshed beating. 2 Chronicles 20:13-15 And all Judah stood before the LORD, with their little ones, their wives, and their children. (14) Then upon Jahaziel the son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, a Levite of the sons of Asaph, came the Spirit of the LORD in the midst of the congregation; (15) And he said, Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou king Jehoshaphat, Thus saith the LORD unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God's. (KJV) The difference in battles is simple, when you go into a situation on your own or should I say engaging in debates because of your self righteous attitude, you then become subject to defeat, a realm that is not a part of our Lord. However, if you enter a situation that the Lord is leading then you already know you are victorious; and a perfect love will cast out all fear and doubt. Given the fact that the Lord is undefeated and no one has knocked Him off His throne or even come close, why would someone think He needs us to defend Him? Why would God need us to defend Him when not only is He forever settled in heaven, so is His word? Ephesians 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. (KJV) Why do you put a physical face on a spiritual situation and end up like Paul wrote, shadow boxing, one that beats against the air? If you spent your time in the word of God and prayer you wouldn’t be wasting so much time in endless foolish debates, and striving over things that are not only of this world, but you have now lowered yourself to the standard of this realm and are fighting a losing battle on your own. Matthew 12:18-20 Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall shew judgment to the Gentiles. (19) He shall not strive, nor cry; neither shall any man hear his voice in the streets. (20) A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory. (KJV) Matthew 12 verse 19: [He shall not strive ...] He shall not shout as a warrior. He shall be meek, retiring, and peaceful. Streets were places of concourse. The meaning is, that he should not seek publicity and popularity. (from Barnes' Notes) The Lord Himself is this servant that is being referred to, and He set a perfect example for all to follow. Even though the people tried to make Him a king at one time, He knew His kingdom was not of this world but that He was sent here to deliver a message of salvation. The more you realize that our calling is to deliver a message of salvation in meekness and love, the less likely you will find yourself getting caught up in a bunch of senseless not so great debates. God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. John 9:31 Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth. (KJV)
You know that thing about reaping what you sow, with what measure you are willing to hear, is what is measured back at you, it’s true. If you don’t like our Lord’s message of salvation, and turn away and do your own thing, then the Lord doesn’t want to hear your excuses for allowing sin in your life. God has done all that is needed to bring you His plan of salvation and how to maintain a walk in the Spirit on a daily basis. And until you are willing and obedient to His plan, He will not listen to those that choose another path. However, if one is a doer of His word as well as a hearer, the line of communication is wide open to those that worship Him in spirit and in truth. John 11:41-44 Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me. (42) And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me. (43) And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. (44) And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go. (KJV) How would you like to have this confidence and boldness to know that God does always hear your prayer, and then be able to expect His results as well? The words that we speak should always be life, and bring new life to those around us as well; resurrecting those areas in our walk that have bound us up and left us for dead also. The word of God is living and powerful and able to remove the stony heart from the dead, and give them a new life with a heart that is able to receive the things of God. Sometimes however the heart becomes hardened again and calloused to the voice of God, and we end up dead in our sins and trespasses because we don’t always like and agree with what God is asking of us. 2 Peter 3:3-6 Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, (4) And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. (5) For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: (6) Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: (KJV) When you are willingly ignorant and choose to ignore God, did you realize that He does the same in return? God warned the people back in the time of Noah, and was longsuffering enough to give them one hundred and twenty years time before he brought the flood upon them. Today we have many scoffers who stand in the pulpits and claim to be of God, who tickle the ears and preach doctrines based on blessings without any concern for consequences or personal responsibility of the believer. As long as people attend certain organizations and follow guidelines and standards which are beneficial only to the leaders and not the congregation, they will find that these self-serving doctrines of man which look good and sound good to the outward man, are nothing more than an abomination to God, and they will be ignored by Him until they choose to follow His path. Proverbs 28:9 He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination. (KJV) Have things seemed stale in your life at times? Does it seem like you are in a holding pattern, ready to move forward but stuck in the mud? Are you like Lazarus, all bound up and things that were once alive in your walk now seem dead? Basically your life stinks. Do you have confidence in your prayers, knowing and not just hoping or guessing the Lord hears you? Some think that God is holding back on them, or that He plays favorites, when the reality is that He is ready, willing, and more than able to respond to those that are willing to respond to Him; doing the walk as well as the talk. Proverbs 28:13 He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy. (KJV) Think of it this way, as long as you cover your ears and are not willing to listen, neither will God listen to you. God has a path of life for you to walk on, which He ordained for you before the foundation of the world, and will only fellowship with those that are willing to walk with Him on this path. He will not alter and change His plan for anyone; especially the creation that thinks it knows better than the Creator. Isaiah 59:1-2 Behold, the LORD's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: (2) But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear. (KJV) What if you were out at sea in a boat and fell overboard, and someone threw you a life preserver, but you chose to ignore it because it wasn’t a color you liked. People get that way with God; the way of escape is always available, the opportunity for salvation is always there, but they don’t like the answer they received, or are not willing to do what is necessary to keep them from drowning in destruction and perdition. If you don’t like God’s plan of salvation, I can assure you there is not another ship coming along to bring you anything better. The fact is that most of the ships that set sail these days in the name of the Lord, have large gaping holes in their doctrines, and are headed for shipwreck. Isaiah 1:15-16 And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood. (16) Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil; (KJV) Have you ever seen a child that doesn’t want to hear a parent’s instructions? They plug their ears, close their eyes, or make noises to drown out the voice of the parent. From the parent’s point of view, how do you handle the situation when the child demands something from you, having been just ignored? Be not deceived, God is not mocked, what you sow is what you reap, and you will not get a response from Father until you are willing to respond to Him, only this time try it with some humility. 1 John 5:14-15 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: (15) And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him. (KJV) Wouldn’t you rather know that He hears your prayer, and not just guess or hope maybe you caught the Lord in a good mood this time? God is not moody like man, nor does He play favorites with anyone, but is longsuffering toward all of us, not willing that any should perish, but that all would come to repentance so that He can work effectively in each and every one of us. So remember Church, if you turn a deaf ear to Him, don’t expect to be treated any differently in return. God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Matthew 7:1-2 Judge not, that ye be not judged. (2) For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. (KJV)
Why is everyone so concerned about everyone else’s business? Did you reach some point of perfection, that now you can go out and analyze everyone else’s walk and tell them how to live? Have you ever heard the verse, he that is without sin can cast the first stone? James 4:11-12 Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge. (12) There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another? (KJV) Let me ask this question, that thing you spoke about behind someone’s back, is it something you could have said to their face? Or possibly it is something that should have been said to their face, before you decided to say it to everyone else’s. How many times have you got all worked up and excited about confronting someone, only to find out that when it came time to deliver the message, it came out completely different than what you thought? That’s called imaginations, which the Bible says we are to cast down, not entertain and speak out on, especially against the brethren, God’s people. Whatsoever is not of faith is sin. So if you are not able to speak it face to face, then like the old saying goes, ‘if you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all’. Galatians 5:15-16 But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another. (16) This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. (KJV) Did you ever see the poster of a bunch of wolves disguised in sheep’s clothing, and the one takes his mask off and realizes there are no more sheep left, only wolves. That basically sums up what happens when the Church is no longer walking in the Spirit, but in the flesh, and making judgments based on their own carnal thinking and no longer in line with God’s. So eventually what goes around, comes back to bite you. So if you have been backbiting, it won’t be long before you get the same in return. Psalms 101:5 Whoso privily slandereth his neighbour, him will I cut off: him that hath an high look and a proud heart will not I suffer. (KJV) The Lord doesn’t think to highly of those that make false accusations against His people, and if you don’t obey His rules you will find yourself in contempt of His court and will be asked to leave. There is one judge and one lawgiver who wrote the book and is the author and finisher of our faith; so unless you think you can do a better job than Him, you might well leave it to Him to handle judgment. Matthew 7:3-5 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest 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 shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye. (KJV) Oh my, you have all the answers except one, how to live your own life and walk a walk that is pleasing to the Lord. So just about the time you decide to judge others and straighten them out, the Lord comes right back at you and says, ‘hey hypocrite, just possibly that thing you see in someone else is actually a reflection of yourself, and that is why it is irking you so much’. So before you decide to clean out someone else’s closet, make sure you got all the skeletons out of yours first, and then you will see clearly how to handle the situation in love and not anger. 1 Corinthians 4:3-5 But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man's judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self. (4) For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord. (5) Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God. (KJV) Do you know that sometimes we are our own worst critics? Sometimes we sell ourselves short because of what others think of us, or have said about us. Did you ever stop and think that the Lord doesn’t even want us to judge ourselves, but rather leave that to Him as well? Now true, there are those that think more highly of themselves than they should, and are what is referred to as legends in their own minds. You too can sell yourself short and miss your calling, because you try to compare yourself with others and how they walk, rather than realizing God made you unique, and has a calling and a place in the body of Christ that only you can fill. Without you being in the place that He would have you be, you rob Him the opportunity to bless you the way He intended. Like Paul himself wrote, ‘it is so small and trivial what others think of me, or how I am judged by them, because it is only by the Lord’s standards that I am justified’; because of that attitude God was able to use him to write a good portion of the epistles. Romans 3:3-4 For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect? (4) God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged. (KJV) Just because others don’t believe the word of God, will you let that affect you? Just because others judge by the outward, and are more concerned with pleasing man than God, are you going to let that affect you? Come judgment day you will pass or fail by one standard; I chose God and His word to be true above and beyond what anyone else thought or said and let man be the liar; or I chose to believe man and called God the liar. Galatians 6:1-3 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. (2) Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. (3) For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself. (KJV) Will you react in the flesh, or respond in the Spirit? The fact that God is a Spirit, then only those that serve Him and worship Him in spirit and in truth will God use to bring about healing and restoration to situations that arise in the body, which will be based on His judgments and love, and not some condescending self righteous attitude. So it’s your decision this day, choose who you will serve, because with what measure you put out, is what is coming right back at you. God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. 2 Corinthians 10:12 For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise. (KJV)
What do you consider your measuring stick, and what do you compare your life with, the spiritual measure or how man measures themselves with each other? I have heard this topic come up over the last few years, and for myself can’t quite come to terms with mans’ reasoning on who are you accountable to? Mainly which pastor or organization do you give account to? Many people compare themselves with other people, and limit themselves to mans’ idea of how to live a Godly life in the Spirit; which has unlimited potential for those that choose to follow the Lord and not end up carbon copy, cookie cutter assembly line Christians. After all, in the end who is it that you are really accountable to, and who’s judgment seat are you going to have to stand before, before you are given access to your eternal home? Wouldn’t now be a good time to start living up to His spiritual standards and quit selling yourself short by following mans’? Romans 12:2-5 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. (3) For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. (4) For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: (5) So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. (KJV) Most of what I see out there concerning ministries and ministers is based on worldly standards, rather than holding fast to the truth of God’s word. They bend with the times; they compromise on certain issues; and are more concerned with pleasing man than God. So instead of taking the measure of faith that was dealt to each of us, and letting God have His way so that we can see more and more of the gift of life He gave us, many fall short by measuring themselves with each other, thinking large numbers equals success with God. The most important thing for a Christian to know is who they are in Christ, where the Lord has placed them in the body, and fulfilling this duty no matter where or what our Father is asking of them. Once you establish this relationship with the Father, building up a trust and commitment by hearing the message of faith for yourself, you will find the true path of life is not that heavily traveled, and the ones that are building up numbers for the most part are the ones preaching the ear tickling feel good doctrines of man. 2 Peter 2:1-3 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. (2) And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. (3) And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not. (KJV) The Lord considers His church the pearl of great price worth dying for. Despite all this, those that have put themselves in a place of teaching and preaching the word of God, doing it for personal financial gain, making merchandise of people rather than building them up and teaching them who they are in Christ, despicable. I can assure you God does not take too kindly to seeing His children treated like this, anymore than you would want to see your children treated this way. The reason many follow their pernicious, filthy shameless ways is because rather than take the time to listen to God for themselves and hear the message of faith delivered by Christ, they let someone else dictate this message for them, then try to measure up to their standards, and not the standard set forth in the word of God. Luke 6:38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again. (KJV) How much of yourself are you willing to give to the Lord? Is He a priority in your life, so that the first thing you do in your day is take the time to stop all that you are doing, so that you can hear His message of love for the day? The measure you put out to the Lord is what will be returned to you; so much that it has to be pressed down and shaken together to make room for more, because the living waters are flowing out of you and watering those around you. There is an old saying, in order to keep it you have to give it away. How much of this measure of faith have you put into practice in your life, and what are you basing and comparing your walk with; someone here on earth, or someone seated at the right hand of the Father? Some say the sky’s the limit, but with Christ I say that it is just the beginning. By the way, give doesn’t just refer to money as so often is taught, but rather how much of your life are you willing to lay down for the brethren so that the life of Christ can manifest through you. Whosoever shall lose his life shall find it. Ephesians 4:11-13 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; (12) For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: (13) Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: (KJV) The purpose of those that are called within the fivefold ministry is to build up the Church, which are the people of God, not the building, and to teach them how to measure up to the stature, maturity of Christ. Those that are able to come to an understanding of the knowledge of the Son of God will be able to grow and mature according to God’s standard and not some manmade self serving one. Ephesians 4:14-16 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; (15) But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: (16) From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love. (KJV) When we were children we all thought of certain people that we wanted to grow up too be like, and imitated them. Those that truly mature in the Lord will not be trying to imitate other people, but rather seek to follow Christ and the person He intended for us to be. So grow up Church, and let’s put away childish things. Set your standards according to God’s word and seek those things which are above, and don’t settle for less. It’s time to raise the bar. God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Matthew 6:1-4 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 thine 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: (4) That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly. (KJV)
Do you want the honor from above, then quit seeking it here on earth. Many want the approval of the Lord, but waste their time seeking it from man. What are the true motives of your heart? What is the true reason you serve the Lord? Is it to please a pastor, parent, wife, husband, boy or girlfriend, or your boss at work? God see’s the secret inward heart of man, and only gives His stamp of approval to those that do serve Him no matter what the consequences are, or who on earth it offends. Colossians 3:22-25 Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God: (23) 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) What about the job you have, are you doing it to please man, or is it being done to please God? I have worked with those that claim to be of God, only to have a lousy work ethic, and basically flush their testimony down the drain. Do you only work when the boss is around or looking, then slack off when he or she is not? The Lord said in order to be faithful in spiritual things we need to be faithful in earthly things first. There are many who think they can serve God who haven’t learned this lesson, so they spend more time putting on a front, rather than being up front with the truth. And so as it is written in Matthew, they will have no reward of our Father. So smile, you’re on the Lord’s very candid camera, which sees and knows the thoughts and intents of the heart, and will only reward those that do those things heartily unto Him and are not concerned with what man thinks. It doesn’t matter who you are, or who you think you are, or how long you claim to have known God, He does not play favorites like man does, and does not waver one bit concerning His word. Galatians 2:9-11 And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision. (10) Only they would that we should remember the poor; the same which I also was forward to do. (11) But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed. (KJV) Cephas was another name given to Peter, the same Peter that walked with the Lord, and ended up writing letters in the Bible, was one perceived to be a pillar by many, until the Lord instructed Paul the apostle otherwise. We know Peter denied the Lord three times before the crucifixion of our Lord, but have you ever read how he denied the Lord even after his conversion, and who God used to bring the correction? Galatians 2:12-14 For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision. (13) And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation. (14) But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews? (KJV) Basically Peter was playing musical chairs, he would eat with the Gentiles, but when the Jewish religious people showed up, he would jump over to their table and try to appease them, even to the point that others were getting caught up in the charade. Trying to please people rather than God; a double minded man will not receive anything from the Lord, including His reward if the warning is not heeded. Ever wonder why God used Paul to write most of the epistles? Are you willing to stand up and speak the truth, no matter who it is or who they think they are? No matter how much of a pillar in the community man considers them, are you willing to tell them where God sees them no matter where that may be? 2 Peter 3:15-16 And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; (16) As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction. (KJV) God did continue to use Peter; and as Peter wrote in his second letter, he acknowledges his beloved brother Paul, and his willingness to be used of God. Though many times Paul would meet opposition, especially with those that claim to know God, the ones that would heed the warning and correction were able to be used of God, while others would twist and pervert the scriptures to their own destruction. So don’t take it personal if God asks you to speak the truth, and you too are met with opposition, especially within the realm of Christianity, or those that claim to be Christians, because though many are called few are truly seeking the honor from above. Remember, it was the religious leaders that rejected our Lord, and ultimately betrayed Him. Today not much has changed. There are still many religious people who are still crucifying the message of our Lord today, trying to please the congregation rather than the Lord. Luke 19:45-47 And he went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold therein, and them that bought; (46) Saying unto them, It is written, My house is the house of prayer: but ye have made it a den of thieves. (47) And he taught daily in the temple. But the chief priests and the scribes and the chief of the people sought to destroy him, (KJV) Our Lord Himself did not get a standing ovation from the crowd, but rather was sent to set things in order the way God intended it to be. The more He chose to please God, the less appealing He was to those that were perceived pillars in the temple as well. So what are you going to do if you are not a crowd favorite anymore? Will that alter your stand and commitment, or will it just strengthen it further? Will you fold under peer pressure, or will you continue in the faith grounded and settled and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel as many before you have, and as many as hope to be honorably mentioned before our Father in heaven? God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. John 7:18 He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory; (KJV)
There are many today that boast of what they are doing for God, speaking of their own works, being puffed up in their own minds of all that they are doing to glorify God; and yet, all they are seeking is their own glory to be seen and praised of men. They speak little of what God through His Son Jesus Christ has done on our behalf having made a way of escape for us from this present evil world, and how to overcome the evil one through the faith, hope, and power that we have received in Christ so that we are able to stay on the path of righteousness which leads us home to our Father in Heaven. Jesus Christ spoke… John 7:28…and I am not come of myself, but he that sent me is true John 8:50…and I seek not my own glory: John 8:54…Jesus answered, If I honor myself, my honor is nothing; it is my Father that honoreth me, And even when they tried to call Him good master, Jesus Christ said that none is good but God. Who was He pointing the people to? Himself, or God the Father? Was He trying to glorify Himself and all that He was doing for God? NO...and neither should we! My dearly loved brethren, we are encouraged not to do our alms before men, but to enter into our closet and when we have shut the door, pray to our Father which is in secret: and our Father which seeth in secret, shall reward us openly. So please, don’t be as the many who openly do their alms before men; but be as the few who seek to worship our Father in Spirit and truth, so that in the end you will stand justified in His grace, in His presence, in His house, glorified forever more before Him in Christ. God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. 2 Peter 1:3-8 For His divine power has bestowed upon us all things that [are requisite and suited] to life and godliness, through the [full, personal] knowledge of Him who called us by and to His own glory and excellence (virtue). 4. By means of these He has bestowed on us His precious and exceedingly great promises, so that through them you may escape [by flight] from the moral decay (rottenness and corruption) that is in the world because of covetousness (lust and greed), and become sharers (partakers) of the divine nature. 5. For this very reason, adding your diligence [to the divine promises], employ every effort in exercising your faith to develop virtue (excellence, resolution or determination, Christian energy), and in [exercising] virtue [develop] knowledge (intelligence), 6. And in [exercising] knowledge [develop] self-control (in knowing the truth there is self-control), and in [exercising] self-control [develop] steadfastness (patience, endurance), and in [exercising] steadfastness [develop] godliness (piety, commitment & obedience), 7. And in [exercising] godliness [develop] brotherly affection (laying down your life), and in [exercising] brotherly affection [develop] Christian love (Christ formed in you). 8. For as these qualities are yours and increasingly abound in you, they will keep [you] from being idle or unfruitful unto the [full, personal] knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed one). AMP
These are all attributes or characteristics of the divine nature which was formed, brought to maturity, within Jesus of Nazareth. He decreased by dying daily to the wants and desires of his fleshly nature (the nature of man) so that Christ (the attributes or characteristics of God) would increase and over take the old corrupt fleshly nature. Jesus Christ left us an example to follow: to put off the old man, and put on of the new man who is renewed in the knowledge of Him who created you, and to do this continually. As you do these things (put off the old, put on the new) the more you see who God is; you begin to understand His nature through experience in your own life in Christ; you begin to understand His love, His grace, and His mercy for us and how lovingly He provided us the way of fellowship with Him, and escape from this corrupt and dying world through Jesus Christ. As you do these things you will not be blind to the truth, the full personal knowledge of God and Jesus Christ who He sent; and you have His promise that you shall never fall. 2 Peter 1:9-12 But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. (10) Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: (11) For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. (12) Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth. (KVJ) My beloved brethren, I pray that you will continue to make these qualities yours and let them increasingly abound in you, so that you are not idle or unfruitful in your walk but that you do come to a full personal knowledge of the truth that is in you. Luke 16:13-15 No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. 14 And the Pharisees also, who were covetous, heard all these things: and they derided him. 15 And he said unto them, you are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knows your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God. (KJV)
We are living in a fallen world where what man claims to be a priority in life is actually an abomination in our Lord’s sight. Remember what our Lord said about the last being first and the first last? The things of God which you had last on your priority list have now moved into first place, while the things of this life go to the bottom of it. Sad to say much of this carnal prosperity doctrine has gotten into the Church and has man chasing his tail instead of seeking the things above. I pray that you take the time to read Matt 6 as well as Luke 12 and see what our Lord has to say concerning your health and welfare, how He already has it covered despite how much you think He needs your help. The reality is that no man can serve two masters because it is one too many in our Lord’s sight. Do you have your master narrowed down to one? Matthew 6:31-32 Therefore take no thought, saying, what shall we eat? Or, what shall we drink? Or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? 32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knows that ye have need of all these things. (KJV) Let’s consider our ways and make sure that it is the way our Lord intended for us to live. Everything we see listed above totally contradicts what we have been brought up with concerning our lives here on planet earth. Everything you keep thinking about is something our Lord already knew and took care of before the foundation of the world. So do you think He still needs your input? Matthew 6:33-34 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. 34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. (KJV) You want to know why God took care of all your carnal needs; because He wanted you to concentrate solely on His kingdom so that you could be complete body, soul, and most importantly, spirit. In fact every time we try to handle things on our own by taking thought, are we not in reality calling God a liar? Taking thought beyond today puts one in a realm that should be unimaginable. 2 Corinthians 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 exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; (KJV) By taking thought beyond today we put ourselves in the realm of imaginations, a realm not based on truth. By seeking first the kingdom of God you will be armed and ready to cast all that junk back down to the pits of hell where it originated in the first place. We have been bombarded with money pitches and schemes that claim to be the end all for all of our problems, but the fact remains that whatsoever is not of faith is sin. So stay out of that realm of the imaginations and make sure your reality check doesn’t bounce. 1 Timothy 6:8-11 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. 9 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) The root cause of all of mans’ destructions has been traced to one source, a love for anything other than our Lord which man thinks can be provided by money. Consider your ways today and flee from anything that is not based on sound doctrine and cast it down where it belongs. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and don’t lean back to your own understanding. Our own ways and thoughts are plan B, which many have settled for, and will leave you holding an empty bag full of holes. God bless Church and take no thought today for your life and see what will manifest instead. Have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord dearly loved. Luke 12:18-21 And he said, this will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. 19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. 20 But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? 21 So is he that lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God. (KJV)
Back to the documentary on retirement plans I mentioned earlier this week, many people were frustrated with their results. The people doing the documentary were pointing out the obvious, that they should consider their ways and try something different. As a teacher of the Word that is our goal as well, to get you to consider your ways and point out through the Word the obvious in how God would have us operate. We see above what our Lord thought of a man who had his life all planned out. The end result was our Lord referring to him as a fool. Today have you been fooled into thinking anything in this life could be more important than the spiritual one our Lord was dying to give His people? Luke 12:22-23 And he said unto his disciples; therefore I say unto you, take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on. 23 The life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment. (KJV) Notice the Lord is speaking to His disciples. Your assignment today is simple; take no thought for your life. Much easier said than done which is why many are called, but few are willing to let go and trust in the Lord with all their heart. Hebrews 4:9-11 There remains therefore a rest to the people of God. 10 For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his. 11 Let us labor therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief. (KJV) When you put someone under arrest, they no longer are able to do anything that will violate the law. When you put yourself under a rest you no longer are violating the law of faith, instead you are getting out of the way so someone else can have their way, and our Lord’s ways and thoughts are so much higher than anything we could conjure up in our limited carnal minds. Luke 12:27-29 Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 28 If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and tomorrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith? 29 And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind. (KJV) Again let’s consider something else so simple, the lilies of the field and how well adorned they are. If our Lord took the time to clothe the field, what makes you think He has forgotten you? Remember it only takes a little leaven to leaven the bread. So how about leaving your own thoughts and ways at the door before checking in? Matthew 10:29-31 Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? And one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. 30 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 Fear you not therefore; ye are of more value than many sparrows. (KJV) Dearly loved take no thought for tomorrow, instead take comfort in the words of the Lord today. God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. |
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