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Ephesians 3:8-12 Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; (9) And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: (10) To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, (11) According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: (12) In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him. (KJV)
Why did Paul describe the riches of Christ as being unsearchable? Mainly because you won’t find the riches of Christ in the realm of the flesh, which is where many are still looking for the answer, and are still being deceived into thinking they will find it in the riches of this life. Where else and what price tag can you put on having a boldness and access to the throne of God with a confidence because of your faith in Christ? Nowhere else could this be found, nothing else could come remotely close to giving you this kind of peace and joy; a perfect love which casts out all our fear. This is the manifold wisdom that the devil has been fighting against the Church to try to detour us from this truth which sets us free and allows us to see and understand the fellowship of this mystery, which is hid to the carnal man but revealed to the spiritual man in Christ. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so great is this mercy and the riches of this wisdom to those that seek and find it with all their heart. Ephesians 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: (KJV) While we were running around on this earth chasing our tail in destruction and misery before our conversion in Christ, we were missing out on all the spiritual blessings that are in Christ. Haven’t you spent enough time knowing that the things of this life are nothing more than a dead end? So why do so many try to incorporate the riches of this life with the riches of God? Like Paul said, ‘have we suffered so many things in vain if it yet be in vain?’ When you try to mix and match you end up corrupting the original living waters with man-made additives that pollute and distort the original intention. While I hear of so many testimonies of people that limit blessings to this realm, mostly how God has blessed them financially, I rarely hear of those that have come to a true understanding of the mystery of the gospel where all the treasures of God’s wisdom and knowledge are hid in Christ, and those that have a working knowledge of the Son. The things of this life are temporal, which refers to temporary, but the things of God are eternal, and only those that build their foundation on the name of Jesus Christ will be able to tap into all these spiritual blessings in Him. So why settle for less Church? If you desire the things of God then you need to start looking in His realm, on His turf, which is spiritual and located in the heavenly places. If you wish to seek the riches of this life then go get the Wall Street Journal. Luke 6:24-26 But woe unto you that are rich! for ye have received your consolation. (25) Woe unto you that are full! for ye shall hunger. Woe unto you that laugh now! for ye shall mourn and weep. (26) Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets. (KJV) Those that have settled for the riches of this life have their reward; and as we brought nothing into this world, they have nothing to take with them once they depart. Because they chose to have a good time while they were here they will spend an eternity mourning and weeping over the fact that they neglected the true riches and spiritual blessings that were in Christ because they listened to and supported a bunch of people pleasing ear tickling hucksters who claimed to be prophets of God. So when all men speak well of them watch out, because obviously they were no threat to the devil but rather were speaking on his behalf under the pretense of religion. While many think the so called church of today is so strong and growing rapidly, the devil doesn’t mind if mankind has religion as long as it doesn’t involve the truth which will set them free. After all the enemy has been playing mankind for a chump since the garden of Eden by talking mankind out of partaking of the tree of life, which is Christ, and settling for a cheap imitation for something of this life. While many are building their monuments which they claim are in the name of the Lord, then have the nerve to name the ministries after themselves which truly shows you whose ministry it really is; very few are building the people up in the name of Jesus Christ, the only name under heaven whereby we may be saved. Ephesians 3:14-19 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, (15) Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, (16) That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; (17) That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, (18) May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; (19) And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God. (KJV) Again, what price tag can you put on the riches of this inner strength that is only available to those that know our Lord Jesus Christ and how to access Him? To be able to have a faith in Him rooted and grounded in the love of God, like a tree planted by the river of life so that no matter what storms we endure we will not be blown over with winds and self serving doctrines of man, is priceless. This is a love, a confidence and strength that goes beyond anything we could have ever imagined or thought of, one that can’t be bought or found with the riches of this life but is freely given to those that seek it in the heavenly realm. The Lord’s riches of His glory are eternal. The riches of this life are only temporal and have an eternal price tag of misery and destruction to those that chose to limit themselves to them. Matthew 13:22-23 He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful. (23) But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. (KJV) The seed is the word of God which is Christ; and those that nurture and water it with the living spiritual waters will see it grow and produce a spiritual crop, all the spiritual blessings God intended for you to partake of. Those that choose the things of this life will find themselves deceived in the end and forever regretting what they ignored and were talked out of. So where is your treasure today, and what realm are you seeking it in? Are you settling for something of this realm, or are you looking above and beyond this one into the heavenly realm to find the unsearchable riches in Christ so that the eyes of your understanding can be enlightened to a working knowledge of this mystery? 1 Timothy 6:9-10 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. (KJV) The root of all evil can be traced back to one thing, the love of money. So where does your root system lead to, the love of God, or to the love of money? What source are you drawing from today will determine your true intents and motives of the heart, and where you are going to spend your eternity. God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Isaiah 55:1-3 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. (3) Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David. (KJV)
Salvation is truly a free gift; the good and perfect gift which came down from above in the form of Jesus Christ the Son of God who came to bring reconciliation between God and mankind. While the world is constantly peddling its goods to people, and spicing up its ads with the offer of a free gift included, in the end the buyer ends up footing the bill, it’s just disguised somewhere in the fine print. The Lord who provided a free gift to all mankind having paid the price by His own sacrifice has now asked us to receive this gift freely and distribute it that way also. Mankind may play favorites especially with the rich, but God’s word is available to all, and should be made available by those that have been called to teach and preach without a price tag. Now that doesn’t mean that if you are getting fed somewhere and the Lord asks you to help support the cause, that you ignore Him; but the key is knowing when the Lord is asking and not when these fat cat preachers are begging the congregation with their giving messages. Those that are operating in the liberty of Christ will be preaching messages that are building up the people and showing them who they are in Christ. Those that haven’t been set free and are still more concerned with the treasures and upkeep of this life will center their sermons around the upkeep of their ministry and their works, not on the ministry and work the Lord has done for them. Luke 16:19-25 There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: (20) And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, (21) And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. (22) And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; (23) And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. (24) And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. (25) But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. (KJV) When looking at this example it parallels what I see going on today in the so called churches and with many of its worldly preachers. Because they have spent so much time and effort on their own upkeep, which many of them do on the backs of others instead of giving the congregation the meat of the word of God, they just end up with crummy self serving doctrines. Those that had come to their organizations seeking the Lord ended up with nothing less than watered down doctrines and a few crumbs, while those that should have been giving them the bread of life were more concerned with collecting the bread from the congregation. As we see the end result, with what measure they gave was measured back to them, having chosen the riches of this world over the eternal riches of the Lord. If you find you are being bombarded with endless sermons that focus more on giving and supporting the organization rather than focusing on the spiritual needs of the congregation, it may be time to move on if you truly desire to grow in the Lord. And by the way, whose lame brain idea was it to do these stupid telethons, especially this stuff I see on TV? I don’t care who they are or who they think they are, the last time I looked the Lord went into the temple with a three-fold cord and cast those cheap hucksters out. It was the devil that invited them back in to set up their cheap carnival side show acts, and its people that don’t spend enough time in the word of God that support this junk and will also be held accountable for doing so. Oh, they may promise you liberty but the truth is they are the servants of corruption because of the fact that they have sold out themselves, and have been overcome by their own desires, and are now brought into bondage of them. Just because they have sold out doesn’t mean you have to support them in their folly. Many of these people have taken the calling of God and then added their own interpretation to it and have created a monster, thinking bigger is better, the more the merrier. Just because they haven’t lived within the means God had intended doesn’t mean it is up to you to feed their monster which is just a manifestation of their inflated egos. Matthew 23:16-23 Woe unto you, ye blind guides, which say, Whosoever shall swear by the temple, it is nothing; but whosoever shall swear by the gold of the temple, he is a debtor! (17) Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gold, or the temple that sanctifieth the gold? (18) And, Whosoever shall swear by the altar, it is nothing; but whosoever sweareth by the gift that is upon it, he is guilty. (19) Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gift, or the altar that sanctifieth the gift? (20) Whoso therefore shall swear by the altar, sweareth by it, and by all things thereon. (21) And whoso shall swear by the temple, sweareth by it, and by him that dwelleth therein. (22) And he that shall swear by heaven, sweareth by the throne of God, and by him that sitteth thereon. (23) Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone. (KJV) Basically what they are saying here is the priority has been misconstrued, putting the cart before the horse. Today I see and hear a lot of doctrines that have the people sitting in a cart, getting what comes out the backside of the horse as well. Instead of being more concerned with the weightier matters, faith, mercy and righteous judgment, they are more concerned with their commitment to giving and supporting the temple. They are willing to overlook spiritual matters, it’s the gold they are concentrating on and holding the people to. It doesn’t matter to them if you don’t spend time in the word of God or grow in the things of the Lord, that seems to be the least of their concerns, but don’t you dare miss tithing or that’s when they claim you will suffer the wrath of God. Everything to these people and their fallen nature’s is center on giving, which is why they twist the scriptures and sermons to make it look like God is more concerned with it as well. Again it is important and your obligation is to support wherever you are being fed, but when the outward temple becomes more of a priority than feeding the inward one, then it may be time to rethink and pray about moving on. Matthew 23:24-26 Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel. (25) Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess. (26) Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also. (KJV) God is more concerned with the inside rather than the outward appearances. Now it is up to you to discern and rightly divide the truth so that you too can freely receive the gift of God and freely distribute it as well. God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Ephesians 5:5-8 For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. (6) Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. (7) Be not ye therefore partakers with them. (8) For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: (KJV)
The Bible gives warnings throughout on the dangers of coveting, which is described as a form of idolatry. This is a vital area, one that gets overlooked, and an area where many a good intentioned Christians ended up being deceived. Though in our past we were surrounded by this mindset and caught up in the things of this world, somehow there are many that think they can carry this over into the realm of God and get away with it. However, nothing could be further from the truth. Your ability to let go and trust in the Lord in the area of finances is vital if one is going to grow into a deeper knowledge and trust with our Father. Luke 16:9-11 And I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations. (10) He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much. (11) If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? (KJV) This is what separates the men from the boys; this is the proving ground for what a man will truly trust and believe. We have a parable of a man described as an unjust steward who made his living and prospered by taking advantage of others. Then one day it occurred to him that in order to be accepted into the eternal realm he would have to change his ways and find the just and equal balance. What many don’t realize, and especially for those that are entering ministry work, is that one has to prove faithful before the Lord in the area of finances, or riches as they are described, before the Lord will open up to them and show them His spiritual riches and then entrust them with it. What verse 10 describes as least ends up being the priority with many; if they are unjust in that area then its game over and they will not be moving ahead in their walk. We have people out there that claim to be of God yet when you listen to the message being delivered they speak more of this world than the realm of God because they haven’t been enlightened to the things of God, and therefore have not been entrusted with the true spiritual riches of God’s wisdom and knowledge which are only found in Christ. Luke 16:9 Riches promise MUCH, and perform NOTHING: they excite hope and confidence, and deceive both: in making a man depend on them for happiness, they rob him of the salvation of God and of eternal glory. For these reasons, they are represented as unjust and deceitful. (from Adam Clarke Commentary) 1 Peter 5:1-3 The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: (2) Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; (3) Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. (KJV) What kind of hope is being given to the people; a false hope in the deception of worldly riches, or is the flock of God being fed with the truth of God’s word that will set them free and allow Him to be their source? Many lord over the flock with guilt trips and pity party messages of how much more one could do for the Lord if they would just ante up. Those that are truly looking out for the spiritual welfare of the people will be more concerned with building the people up in the Lord, rather than having the people more concerned with a building and its upkeep. John 10:11-13 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. (12) But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. (13) The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep. (KJV) The problem with hirelings, which is someone that is working for a wage, those that think ministry work is just an occupation, is that if the money runs out the hireling isn’t far behind. Our Lord set the example of how to live and walk in the Spirit, seeking more the spiritual welfare of others and not His own, thus why He was so effective. Today we see just the opposite; for many that enter the field of ministry work think it is a fun and exciting way to make a living, which is well documented by watered down messages that deal more with seeking the riches of this world than the true riches of God. Yes God does call people to full time ministry, and they get their support from the Lord and through the flock they oversee. The message the Lord is getting across is that His people need to be more concerned with the spiritual substance that will feed the flock, not the financial one that they are feeding themselves with. Isaiah 56:10-11 His watchmen are blind: they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber. (11) Yea, they are greedy dogs which can never have enough, and they are shepherds that cannot understand: they all look to their own way, every one for his gain, from his quarter. (KJV) There are too many hirelings, false prophets and such who are only seeking their personal gain, and not what is best for the flock of God. This stuff has been going on for a long time and has continued to manifest, getting worse and worse. No man can serve two masters because he will hold to one and ignore the other; and the Bible is quite specific to say that we cannot serve God and mammon or worldly riches, which is idol worship. Titus 1:7-11 For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre; (8) But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate; (9) Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers. (10) For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision: (11) Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake. (KJV) Many vain talkers alter the message of truth to fit their lifestyle, teaching things just for the sake of filthy lucre. Messages that point to hundredfold returns, the more you give the more you get, are nothing more than self serving cheap imitations for what the Lord intended for His people; thus why the Lord’s people perish for lack of knowledge. So do your own self inventory and make sure the things you treasure are in line with the things of God so that He can open up His spiritual treasure and allow you to be a partaker of His heavenly gift. God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. 1 Corinthians 4:11-14 Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwellingplace; (12) And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it: (13) Being defamed, we intreat: we are made as the filth of the world, and are the offscouring of all things unto this day. (14) I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn you. (KJV)
Remember the TV program Fantasy Island, where they fly into the island with a problem and leave with the solution? They make it look so easy; and how they look up to the people that provide the solutions and put them on pedestals. Well today we still have re-runs of that program which are displayed by many false teachers of the gospel of Christ, who make ministry work look so glamorous and exciting; how well thought of they are in the community, and looked up to as leaders and pillars. With their three piece suits and two bit doctrines they try to compare themselves with those that God has used before, but as one can see from the above verses, the gap between reality and fantasy is huge. If you think you want to be like Paul, Peter or some of the other people God has used then you need to look at what I will call the fine print; because for many ear tickling preachers it seems they have left this part out, or do their best to hide the true fact that the closer one gets to the Lord the more they truly will endure suffering on His behalf. It would be nice if all one had to do is write of the blessings of God and all the wonderful things that accompany them, but I would be negligent in presenting the truth about the things that don’t tickle the ear, but warn the heart of the reality, for those that chose to be led of the Spirit. Philippians 1:27-30 Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; (28) And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God. (29) For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake; (30) Having the same conflict which ye saw in me, and now hear to be in me. (KJV) The more one is led of the Spirit the more it contradicts those that are led of the flesh, and to them the doctrine of Christ seems foolish and a waste of time. The warning Paul was giving to the people was not only to believe in Christ but also that there would be suffering for His sake to those that speak on His behalf. Although Paul was used of God to write a good portion of the epistles, if you read through His accounts you will see there was plenty of conflict and opposition along the way. So don’t be discouraged if you encounter these things also, because it doesn’t mean you did something wrong but rather just the opposite. I see a lot of these do gooders who claim to be of God, who write and sell their books, who preach a life of prosperity living the American dream in the name of God, yet they are selling their souls for a buck (money). Many would like to only tell the people what they want to hear instead of what they need; the truth that will set them free indeed. So before you choose to enter the ministry based on these false illusions, the reality is that the only reason many false teachers sell this stuff is because they are not a threat to the enemy but rather an asset to him; settling for the rewards of this realm and not for an eternal reward of inheritance. Christian brothers and sisters, know there will be opposition, but also take comfort in the fact that it is because you are doing what is right in the sight of the Lord; which is why it will rub man the wrong way and cause the conflict. 1 Peter 4:15-19 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters. (16) Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. (17) For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? (18) And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? (19) Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator. (KJV) We have many false prophets out and about that the Lord warned us of that bring false doctrines and rob the people of the truth. They portray a people pleasing life of a minister as being someone that is looked up to and revered by many, which in reality is nothing more than seeking the honor of man rather than that of God. If you suffer as a Christian don’t be ashamed, even if it is by other so called Christians that would rather water down the truth and not deal with the reality of those that truly choose to follow the leading of the Spirit. Again don’t think it so strange concerning the fiery trials that come your way, because the more you choose to live the truth and speak it, the more those darts will be hurled your way. And don’t be surprised if you end up taking some friendly fire from those that claim to be of God, false brethren that smile to your face and stab you in the back. 2 Timothy 3:10-15 But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, (11) Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me. (12) Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. (13) But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. (14) But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; (15) And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. (KJV) The reason the righteous are scarcely saved is because evil men and seducers are getting worse and worse with their deceptions and lies, and many Christians do not take the time in the word of God for themselves to know the difference, but rather get caught up in them. The reason Paul suffered so much is because of the doctrine of Christ that he taught and preached as well as lived, which is why there was so much opposition. That is why we are to continue in the faith grounded and settled and not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which is Christ in you, His leading and guiding of the Spirit. We see the encouragement in verse 14, to continue in these things despite the sufferings and persecutions because you know the truth and that is why you are suffering, not because you did something wrong. Matthew 10:22 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved. (KJV) Still interested in ministry work? Then time for a reality check. If you think you are going to be revered and highly thought of in the community, think again. If you wish to be highly thought of and a pillar in God’s community then proceed forward. Those that portray a one sided version of the ministry are living in a fantasy world on an island located somewhere in the dead sea, and will find their program cancelled. God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. 1 John 4:1-5 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. (2) Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: (3) And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. (4) Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. (5) They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them. (KJV)
The Lord and His people have been warning us to be on the lookout for not just a few but the many false prophets, who like wolves, prey on the wounded and the weak of the flock. Too many Christians have let their guard down; and like an unsuspecting boxer, end up getting sucker punched by someone they thought was legit. When you listen to these sermons today they focus on worldly areas that many people struggle in; and like with many infomercials you see on TV they promise quick fix solutions to people still in bondage to spiritual ailments; which if they addressed those first, then the troublesome areas in these people’s lives would be more easily overcome. Rather than focus on the spiritual (which is why it is the spirit of antichrist), the one thing that would set them free is ignored; they keep giving worldly solutions to solve a spiritual need and many then end up falling short and discouraged. If any man has not the spirit of Christ, a working knowledge of the Son of God, then He is none of His. Greater is He, Christ in you the hope of glory, than he the spirit of antichrist which is roaming this planet like a roaring lion seeking whom he can devour with the cares and distractions of this life. Case in point, at times I see the headline about ministers who complain about opening their books to congress to give an account of their spending habits. These ministers claim government intrusion, the same government they bowed down to in order to get their tax exempt status. If you don’t want them intruding into your business then get out of theirs and just pay your fair share of taxes; which according to God’s word is the obligation of the Church. Wake up people and quit letting the fox guard the henhouse. Matthew 4:8-10 Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; (9) And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. (10) Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. (KJV) Jesus Christ was faced with this spirit of antichrist which would have liked nothing better than to see Him change His message of salvation, soften His stance a bit, and maybe start compromising. Unlike many we see today that think they can mix and match like a buffet table, taking the things they desire and try to match them up with spiritual things, the Lord held His ground knowing that this life is temporary and that the message of salvation is eternal. The Lord knew He could not serve two masters because if He was double minded, like we see and hear in so many of mans’ sermons, then He would have become unstable and unable to receive the things of God. Are you holding fast your profession of faith this moment without wavering? Or have you been sucker punched by a worldly doctrine that you never saw coming because you weren’t watching and keeping your guard up? Ephesians 1:3-6 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: (4) According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: (5) Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, (6) To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. (KJV) With an unending priceless gift of spiritual blessings, have you even begun to explore all that is available to those in Christ? No wonder the devil comes a knocking. After all, he was at one time seated in the heavenly places but fell because of pride, and let go of his eternal reward. That spirit of antichrist would like nothing better than to keep you focused on the dead end things of this world so that you won’t look into the realm of the Spirit to see all that God has blessed you with. That joy and peace you have experienced is a result of an eternal plan of salvation God has for His people; and by His grace He has made it available for our benefit. So being that this plan originated in the heavenly realm and not this worldly one, then it would only be fitting to say that you can only continue in this new found joy and peace by looking to Christ and not this world. 1 Corinthians 7:32-35 But I would have you without carefulness. He that is unmarried careth for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please the Lord: (33) But he that is married careth for the things that are of the world, how he may please his wife. (34) There is difference also between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman careth for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit: but she that is married careth for the things of the world, how she may please her husband. (35) And this I speak for your own profit; not that I may cast a snare upon you, but for that which is comely, and that ye may attend upon the Lord without distraction. (KJV) Here is an area where many let their guard down and get sucker punched. Rather than continue seeking the spiritual blessings in Christ they think the only way they will be complete is to have that special someone in their life. Now granted, God ordained marriage and it is a blessing when it is done according to who He joins together and not what our lower nature becomes attached to. Ever hear the term high maintenance? Well if you marry someone for the wrong reason, and they are still quite attached to the things of this world and not the things of God, you will find it nothing short of a distraction and a hindrance to your walk. I have seen many people who rather than realize they are complete in Christ, they try to fulfill a spiritual need with a physical one and end up bruised and beaten. Any time you look to the world or worldly people to find the answer, you will find that it did not come from God. It may look good and sound good to the outward man but inwardly it is a total abomination, a heartache that could have been avoided. Remember the devil will show you just the highlights and not the consequences. So when the party is over there will be a huge tab to pick up. 1 John 2:15-17 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. (16) For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. (17) And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever. (KJV) The world and its ways are passing away, and so are those that hang onto them. Only those that do the will of God and seek those things which are above will experience a life of joy and peace above and beyond what this world could ever offer. So what is your priority today at this moment? Are you seeking the spiritual blessings or are you still chasing your tail stuck in this dead end realm of misery and heartache? Jesus Christ came that you would have life and have it more abundantly in Him so that you could avoid a world of hurt, and not end up with some cheap imitation of the devil. God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. |
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