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Good day. Today's video Highly Motivated is on the topic of: Are you highly motivated in serving God or men? What is the motive of your heart when you pray, when you worship, when you share the gospel of Christ, is it to be seen of men or are you doing these things truly seeking to please the Lord? We are to enter into our own closet and shut the door and pray to our Father who is in secret, and our heavenly Father who sees in secret (the motive of our heart) will reward us openly. We are to worship our Father in spirit and in truth, for our Father seeks such to worship him (God is a Spirit; and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth), not as an outward show that others can glory in our fleshly display of worship that men teach. We are to share the gospel of Christ in sincerity and in truth, not for the sake of money or to be seen of men, it is doing all things whole heartedly as unto the Lord and not unto men. We cannot serve two masters; for either we will hate the one and love the other; or else we will hold to the one and despise the other. We cannot serve God and mammon (money); and it is written that the love of money is the root of all evil, and for many they will compromise the gospel of Christ to keep the people happy and in the pews, which stinks to high heaven; or they will compromise their faith and walk in Christ for the things of this life or to please men; money answers all things, it reveals the motive of the heart. Ecclesiastes 5:13-15 There is a sore evil which I have seen under the sun, namely, riches kept for the owners thereof to their hurt. But those riches perish by evil travail: and he begetteth a son, and there is nothing in his hand. As he came forth of his mother's womb, naked shall he return to go as he came, and shall take nothing of his labour, which he may carry away in his hand (KJV). John 6:27 Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed (KJV). Proverbs 23:4 Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom (KJV). We cannot please God and men; a double minded man is unstable in all his ways. The LORD sees not as man sees, for man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart (the motive), he knows the secrets of the heart, the righteous God tries the hearts and reins (mind) (1 Samuel 6:7, Psalms 44:21, Psalms 7:9). Remember we will all stand before the judgement seat of Christ and give account of our lives, whether it be good or bad. Who or what motivates you? Examine yourself with the leading of the Holy Spirit and find out, and if there be anything contrary to sound doctrine, remove it, get rid of it out of your heart, with the Lord's help. Study to show yourself approved unto God a workman who needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth; because the truth is what will make you free and keep you free indeed (reality). Ask yourself this question: "Do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ." If you find that you are pleasing men more than God then make the correction in your life and continue forward in your walk in Christ standing fast in the liberty with which he has made you free and don't be entangled again in that yoke of bondage or any other that may be hindering your walk, including the traditions and doctrines of men. And don't let the cares of this life, the deceitfulness of riches, or lusts of other things enter into your heart which will hinder you and choke the Word that is written in your heart, and it becomes unfruitful; watch and pray always, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. Brethren, get highly motivated from above where Christ sits on the right hand of God our Father and put away pleasing man. God bless and keep the faith. You can view all previous videos by going to our YouTube channel Doctrine of Christ Ministry or by clicking on our archive page link above - Doctrine of Christ Ministry Archive. Have a blessed and prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Good day. Today we are posting Looking Within day one of five, written October 25, 2010. Our prayer is that you will be blessed and encouraged by this five day series of our writings. ***You can download a copy of the writings for personal use only by clicking on the Doctrine of Christ Ministry Archive page link above and scroll down to the year 2010.
Monday, October 25, 2010 Looking Within Luke 17:19-21 And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole. (20) And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: (21) Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you. (KJV) A leper who was healed and made whole again returned to give thanks to our Lord, who at that time was manifest in the flesh. Now that our Lord has moved on, and is seated at the right hand of the Father, our search for truth needs to take place within, so that we can see the answer that our Lord has for us to be whole. A life in the past dictated by outward things is now done away in Christ, so that all things can become new. When you need an answer, when something is lacking and you need to be made whole, learning to look within is the only place that you will find the Lord’s response, an answer with some real substance. John 14:26-27 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. (27) Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. (KJV) The reason that our Lord was manifest in the flesh was so that He could pay the price for our sin. Our Lord delivered a perfect sacrifice to our Father that He accepted once and for all, and then sent us a Comforter so that we could be comforted from within, and no longer have to live a life based on outward circumstances. The world and the so called peace it brings, is based on outward things that can never bring comfort because they change and fluctuate with the times. The peace of God is like God, it never changes nor is altered by any outward events. Are you experiencing this peace today, or are you troubled with cares and concerns of this world, things that our Lord said He would handle for us? Colossians 3:14-15 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. (15) And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. (KJV) Many people claim that they are serving our Lord, yet their decisions are based on the outward and not an inward vision. Without a vision God’s own people perish, because they limit God by their own limited carnal minds. Are you letting the peace of God rule today, or are you settling for the path of least resistance? Philippians 4:6-7 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. (7) And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (KJV) Again, we are encouraged not to be careful, troubled, or anxious about outward things, but rather our attention is now focused on a new inward man that is coming to life and having a greater influence on us than anyone or anything in this fallen world. The peace of God passes our limited carnal understanding, and goes straight to the Head of the class. Are you going to the Head of the Church today, passing by any negative thoughts that would keep you in bondage? Have a blessed and prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Good morning. Today's video The Son - Part4 on the topic of who the Son of God is; the complete name of the Son. Jesus Christ is the complete name which God acknowledges and allows you access to His throne. Acts 4:10-12 Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. (KJV) Many today use only the name of Jesus when they pray, which leaves the door open to the devil to hinder the prayer because they did not close the door with Christ, the power and wisdom of God which cannot be refuted of the devil. In the account of the seven sons of Sceva they tried to cast out evil spirits only in the name of Jesus and as you read the account they were overcome and fled naked out of the house. Acts 19:13-17 Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth. And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, which did so. And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye? And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. (KJV) Remember that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Jesus Christ tells you who he is, and what his name is. He never said he was God, but always acknowledged God as his Father in heaven. He even said “I am in the Father, and the Father in me”; just as we are in Christ, and Christ is in us (John 15). Matthew 16:15-17 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. (KJV) John 4:22-26 Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things. Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he. (KJV) Matthew 24:5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. (KJV) John 17:3-5 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do. And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was. (KJV) John 20:31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name. (KJV) There is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; the name above every name. And in this name, Jesus Christ, we have life and life more abundantly. Without Christ, Jesus could not have overcome the world; and neither can we do anything without Christ. If we abide in Him, He will abide in us; if we deny Him, He will deny us before God; in other words, if we don’t know His Son, then He will not know us. 1 John 3:21-23 Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God. And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight. And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment. (KJV) 1 John 5:13-15 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him. (KJV) And this is the assurance that we have from God our Father and His Son Jesus Christ. You can view all previous videos by going to our YouTube channel Doctrine of Christ Ministry. Have a blessed and prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Good morning, today's encouragement is to be content with such things as you have.
If you would like to download a copy click on the Daily Bread For Life Archive link above to access the link to get your downloaded copy. Have a blessed and prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Contentment 1 Timothy 6:6-8 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. (KJV) Contentment in verse 6 means sufficiency. Content in verse 8 means be enough, suffice, or be sufficient. Our sufficiency (ability) is of God. Jesus Christ gave us the ability to become the sons of God; now it is up to us to walk by faith knowing that we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. He gave us the ability to overcome the world and its ways just as He did. He gave us the ability to be free from the fear of death; to have that confidence that we are one of His having done the will of God from the heart. This is great gain. So you ask then, what is the will of God? Take some time and read these scriptures (Romans 12:2, 1 Thessalonians 4:3-7, 1 Thessalonians 5:18, 1 Peter 4:1-2, 1 John 2:15-17) knowing that these are just a few that talk about His will; then allow the Holy Spirit to expound on them or add to them, and lead you into all truth of what our Father in heaven is asking of you personally. Knowing this, His will for you is anything that will bring you into a deeper relationship with Him, and that will lead you out of this world and into His eternal kingdom. Hebrews 13:5 Let your conversation (manner of life) be without covetousness; and be content (suffice, enough) with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. (KJV) The eyes of man are never satisfied; the natural man is covetous, it wants not only its own things but also the things of others; it is not satisfied with just food and raiment which is our basic need. If you give it an inch it wants to take a mile; it wants to be first, not last; it wants to be known, not unknown; it wants the approval of man, not of God only; it wants to be admired, not despised; it wants more and more. As Solomon wrote: vanity, vanity, all is vanity. All that is in this life will not satisfy the natural man, which is why we are encouraged to be content with what we have; because as 1 Timothy 6:7 states, we brought nothing into this world with us and it is certain we will carry nothing out. Now think about that, are you satisfied with what you have knowing that all your need (not wants) has been supplied, spiritually and physically by our Father in heaven? And if you don’t have what you need, did you ask? If God knows what we have need of and has provided in advance all that we need, why should we have to ask? Because in this is our Father glorified, through His Son Jesus Christ; and in this we acknowledge that we cannot get through this life on our own and that our Father will know best the need and how to supply it. It keeps us humble to know that our sufficiency is not of ourselves, knowing that without Him we can do nothing. Also remember, that if we don’t get what we ask for right away, examine first if it is a need or a want, is it the best thing for me (I might think it is but does my Father in heaven think so), is it in line with the will of God for my life, will it put me under bondage to this world to have this thing? It might well be that it is not the right time for it to come to pass as yet, because as we know He makes everything beautiful in its time. So seek the Father’s will first and if you believe it is in line with God’s will then continue to hold fast in faith, and remember to always thank our Father that He has supplied the need and for the manifestation thereof, and let patience have its perfect work. Know this also, that our Father in heaven is able to grant you the desires of your heart as long as those desires are not harmful to you spiritually or physically; He is not being mean by withholding, He has a reason, and besides His thoughts and ways are higher than ours; He sees and knows all things before they come to pass. His desire is that you would have life and life more abundantly in and through His Son Christ Jesus. So, is your soul worth selling out to the world for? To follow and seek after the things of man, and not the things of God? Can you be content with food and raiment, and such things as you have? Can you enter into His rest and cease from your own works knowing that God our Father has your best interests at heart? Hebrews 13:6 So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me. (KJV) Having an eye of abundance (the natural man says we don’t have enough), the spirit man renewed in the things of God, will always see that we have enough and more left over, our cup running over. Dearly loved brethren, we have been given an abundant life in Christ Jesus our Lord, all that we need to make it through this life here on earth with strength and wisdom to overcome the world within us and to make our way in patient continuance with contentment in the kingdom and righteousness of God which is great gain in the sight of God our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ. God bless and remain content in Spirit and in truth. Amen. Good afternoon. Today's video Care Less is on the topic of what gives your Father in Heaven good pleasure. You can view all previous videos by going to our YouTube channel Doctrine of Christ Ministry. Have a blessed and prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Good morning. Today's video Slow Me Down Lord is a poem of prayer asking the Lord to slow us down so that we can run this race of faith and not be weary, or stumble and fall, nor faint before the finish line of eternal life. You can view all previous videos by going to our YouTube channel Doctrine of Christ Ministry. Have a blessed and prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Mark 14:37-38 And he cometh, and findeth them sleeping, and saith unto Peter, Simon, sleepest thou? couldest not thou watch one hour? (38) Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak. (KJV)
The spirit truly is ready and willing to serve the Lord, while it is the flesh that is weak and would rather be doing something else. You know, if you were hired to do a job and the boss came around and found you sleeping on the job, how long before you think you might end up fired? Which is what will happen to those that are spiritually asleep and not keeping watch over their salvation. The flesh is weak because it is limited to this fallen carnal realm; while the spirit truly is willing, able to operate in a realm where all things are possible. As I look around this fallen world I see many that are weak because they choose to lean to their own understanding, things they can see, and not into the unseen eternal realm where one can have access to the Lord and the power of His might. 1 Corinthians 11:28-30 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. (29) For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. (30) For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep. (KJV) The Lord said many are called but few are chosen. As we see in verse 30 the many had become weak allowing sickness into the temple, and some are sleeping, in a spiritual stupor even to the point of death. Rather than examining themselves working out their own salvation, they gave in to the temptation of the flesh choosing an easier path rather than a straight and narrow one that leads to victory. Instead of watching and praying, exercising their spiritual senses to know and not just guess the difference between what was good and evil, they dosed off and let the enemy catch them with their guard down, making themselves an easy target. While you were eating and drinking in a place you thought was safe and healthy, you ended up ingesting a lot of poisonous doctrine, doctrines of man that catered more to the flesh than to the Spirit. Galatians 5:16-18 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. (17) For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. (18) But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. (KJV) You know Church, there is still a law that is in play and that is the law of sin and death, which if the devil can catch a believer napping he would like nothing better than to have you put back under arrest and convicted. Once a believer has begun a walk in the Spirit it is vital to continue that walk, enduring to the end in order to obtain your eternal salvation. The more you walk in the Spirit the stronger you become, while on the flip side the more you stay in the flesh the weaker you are. As many as are led by the Spirit of God are truly the sons of God, and able to partake of His divine nature, operating in a realm so much higher and above all that we could ever ask or think of. Romans 8:1-2 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. (2) For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. (KJV) Sin, to put it in its simplest form, is unbelief. All sin is a result of unbelief which stems from one choosing the carnal over the Spirit. Death is the result of sin, which is another definition of sleep, and for some it will mean eternal separation from God. The law of faith is what brought you back from the dead and enlightened you to the realm of the Spirit allowing you to walk in a new life by leaving the old one behind. Just like with the laws of the land here on earth, there is an order to the law of the Spirit; one must abide by the law of faith, living a life that is based more on what I hear from God and less by what my fallen nature tries to dictate as truth. So which realm are you in today; are you up and at it, ready, willing, and able to worship our Lord today in Spirit and in truth, or are you still on your backside, knocked down and unconscious because you got sucker punched? Galatians 5:22-25 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, (23) Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. (24) And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. (25) If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. (KJV) Once you enter the realm of the Spirit there are no laws or limitations on how far you can go, in fact you have just entered a realm that goes on for eternity. The question is how far are you willing to go? Well, if you are in the Spirit it never has to end; however, if you choose the flesh then it will come to an end, an end God did not intend for His people. When you pray and make your petitions to God through Jesus Christ you have tapped into a source of life that is not limited to what you can see, hear, or touch in this fallen realm, but it is able to do so much more above and beyond what you could have ever asked or thought of on your own. In fact when you revert back to the flesh, that being your carnal mind, then you have taken the Lord out of the equation by leaning to your own understanding; you then open yourself up again to the law of sin and death which has now cut off the source of living waters, which if it lasts to long will result in death. Proverbs 19:15-16 Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger. (16) He that keepeth the commandment keepeth his own soul; but he that despiseth his ways shall die. (KJV) Have you lost interest in your salvation; not as exciting as it used to be; instead of moving forward in your walk you have parked on the side of the road and are idling? Is the upkeep of your soul still your sole interest, or are you solely interested in what appeals more to the flesh than to the Spirit? 1Thessalonians 5:5-8 Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. (6) Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. (7) For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. (8) But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. (KJV) There is a Son that shines eternally, it never goes down or dims, but rather is described as a daystar which arises in our heart and gives enlightenment to the believer. If you end up sleeping spiritually and in the dark, it is because you chose a dark fallen realm rather than the eternal one where there is no darkness, neither shadow of turning. Mark 14:38-41 Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak. (39) And again he went away, and prayed, and spake the same words. (40) And when he returned, he found them asleep again, (for their eyes were heavy,) neither wist they what to answer him. (41) And he cometh the third time, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: it is enough, the hour is come; behold, the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. (KJV) When the enemy is heading your way and trying to bring you back under arrest will you be watching and praying so that you don’t enter into temptation, or will you be easy prey for him? The spirit is willing; the flesh is weak, and is a weak excuse for those that choose their own desires ahead of our Lord’s. God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. |
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