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Good morning. Today's video The Son - Part25 is on the topic of who the Son of God is; he that is not with Christ is against Him. Luke 11:21-26 When a strong man armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace: But when a stronger than he shall come upon him, and overcome him, he taketh from him all his armour wherein he trusted, and divideth his spoils. He that is not with me is against me: and he that gathereth not with me scattereth. When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he saith, I will return unto my house whence I came out. And when he cometh, he findeth it swept and garnished. Then goeth he, and taketh to him seven other spirits more wicked than himself; and they enter in, and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. (KJV) The warnings Church are clear. Our strength is in Christ. If we continue to abide in him, he will continue to abide in us; and in Him we have his fullness to help us to discern between good and evil, to rightly divide the word of truth, and the strength to come out from among anything or anyone that is not healthy for us in spirit, soul, or body. A little leaven allowed in will leaven the whole lump. If we don’t keep vigilant in our relationship with the Lord, remaining and gathering with Him (holding too and being the workman who needs not to be ashamed in the gospel of Christ), then we will be counted as against him and our goods will be scattered. And we could end up like the strong man who did not keep his palace (not remaining diligent in the Spirit holding to the gospel of Christ); or be overtaken by the unclean spirit again with seven other of his buddies more wicked than himself, and the last state of ourselves would be worse than the first. 2 John 1:7-11 For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward. Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds. (KJV) There are many false prophets with their false doctrines that have infiltrated the Church today; just as in the Old Testament times when Israel intermingled with other nations (the Gentiles) and took on their customs, worshiping and serving their gods, and look at what the consequences were. They left their first love. Mark 12:30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. (KJV) It is no different for the Church today; if you are not abiding in and holding fast to the grace and gospel of Christ, but have turned unto another gospel other than that which Jesus Christ preached unto you, then there are consequences for what you allow into your house. It will eat away at your foundation and eventually your house will fall. For strait is the gate, and narrow is the way which leads unto life and few be there that find it; but wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leads to destruction, and many there be which go in that way. Abiding in Christ is a strait and narrow path; God does not lie, neither does he compromise. The Lord did not preach for filthy lucre (money) sake and neither did he ever ask his ministers too. So why are many Christians supporting those ministers and their ministry who do? And why when these so called men of God compromise to fit into the world and its ways do many Christians continue to support them? And why as a Christian would you compromise to fit into the world and its ways and what they say is good and right, rather than fitting into the kingdom and righteousness of God and what He says is good and right? We are in a time where many will not endure sound doctrine but are heaping to themselves teachers having itching ears. Remember, you too were once on that wide path that leads to destruction, but when you accepted Jesus Christ you were separated unto God, and were removed from the path of destruction by the grace of God and placed on his path of life. Now the devil wants nothing more than to have those who remain on the wide path leading to destruction beguile you off the path of life to join them again in their excess. This is why we are to watch and pray always; lining up what we hear or see with the word of God; letting God be true and every man a liar, which includes those in the pulpits and our old man (thinking); and try the spirits whether they be of God or not. Because if any man has not the Spirit of Christ, they are not with God and His Son Christ Jesus, but against him. So Church, come out from among them and be separate and touch not the unclean thing; which are the doctrines of men, those of the world; and those who corrupt the word of God not holding the head, which is Christ, in sincerity and truth, but seek to glory in your flesh and bring you into bondage again to the commandments and traditions of men, not knowing Christ and his doctrine. Lest you become counted unclean before God; for evil communications do corrupt good morals. God bless. 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. Malachi 3:10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. (KJV)
The Old Testament was written with examples for us to follow, not in the literal sense but now discerning the spiritual meaning and implications of the writings. God’s storehouse is the people, and the meat that should be brought into it is spiritual in nature, and one that is intended to build up the inward man, and not to be so focused on the outward one anymore. We still have many today who twist and pervert the true meaning of the scriptures because they are more self seeking, worshipping their own creations more than the Creator Himself. While many claim the reason God doesn’t bless them is because of their lack of giving in the form of tithes and offerings, the truth be known is that their attention is focused in the wrong realm; and those that are doing the teaching are the ones that need to be re-taught themselves the basic principles of Christianity. Knowing who and what God’s true storehouse is will allow you to grow up strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Acts 17:22-25 Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars' hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious. (23) For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you. (24) God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; (25) Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things; (KJV) Many people today base their beliefs in what a church is on what they were told by man, and not by what they hear from the Lord Himself. Many are indoctrinated with beliefs based on what their parents and grandparents believed, and not on what they have found to be the truth themselves. If you drive around a town and point out certain buildings many would tell you it is a church or the house of God. If you were to open the phone book and look up the word church you would find many different names and titles man has come up with for what a church is. The simple truth is that, the people are the Church, the true worshippers of God, and that He lives and dwells within them. Yet with this simple truth in mind, why are so many still pointing people to the outward creations of man and not to the new man that has taken up residence within them? Why do so many claim the people are robbing God because of their lack of giving, when the truth be known the robbery is being committed by those that should be teaching truth and yet have need to be re-taught themselves the basic principles of Christianity. Matthew 16:16-18 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. (17) 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. (18) And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. (KJV) Here is the building God truly is concerned with and would like to see His people concentrating their attention toward, one that is spiritual in nature and able to withstand all the spiritual winds of doctrines that would try to blow it over. Is Christ truly the foundation of your building so that the gates of hell and its influence will no longer prevail against you? Are you building a case on the rock solid spiritual evidence presented to us through the Son, or are you still settling for second hand self serving doctrines of man? Has our Father revealed Himself to you personally so that you can know and not just guess that you are one of His, the true Church of the living God, or are you concentrating more on man’s outward creations of what they think a church is? 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. (11) This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. (12) Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. (KJV) There are a lot of builders out there who claim they are building in the name of the Lord. Just like with construction, if that cornerstone is not set right, if it is not in its proper place, then the whole building will end up off kilter. The Lord said He would build His Church; now the question is, how many are letting Him build it within them based on His foundation and not on what a bunch of other builders think it is; wannabe’s and pretenders who worship their own creations more than the Creator. There is no other name, no other foundation that the true Church of God can be built on, than the name of Jesus Christ. Only the doctrine of Christ will be able to build up His people and allow them to withstand all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 1 Peter 2:4-8 To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, (5) Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. (6) Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. (7) Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, (8) And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed. (KJV) You are a spiritual being; God’s true Church is one of spiritual in nature, one that should be getting built up on a daily basis and not torn down by man-made doctrines. As a true believer in Christ this is what is precious in the sight of God, His people, not some building or organization that puts more emphasis on outward things rather than on the inward one. This is your salvation to which you are appointed to inherit, so don’t be taken in by those that try to pack your bags for a guilt trip, thinking God doesn’t bless His people because of their lack of giving to their organizations. When they promise you liberty while they are still themselves the servants of corruption, and not the true servants of God they claim to be, it is time to reevaluate your situation and turn away from those that don’t know who God’s true storehouse is and how to keep them built up in the word of God. Acts 20:32-34 And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified. (33) I have coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel. (34) Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me. (KJV) Paul dealt with some of this same nonsense we see today, those that were more concerned with silver and gold, and not the precious things of God which is His Church, the people. Paul was willing to do whatever it took to deliver the word of God which would build them up, including working with his own hands. If you’re in a situation where the emphasis is more on the outward buildings rather than on the inward one, then you will not get built up either, but rather fall short of what God truly intended for His Church. Ephesians 2:19-22 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; (20) And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; (21) In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: (22) In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit. (KJV) You are the Church people; you are God’s true storehouse, and considered a holy temple of His. Concentrate your effort and priority in His realm, His direction, and prove Him, that He will pour out for you a blessing that there will not be room enough in your storehouse to contain; good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over with living waters that proceed from the heart and give life to those around you as well. God bless Church. Have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Malachi 3:8-10 Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. (9) Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation. (10) Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. (KJV)
When you now think of a storehouse, as well as the term mine house which we see illustrated in verse 10, you should now be thinking of the Church, the true house of God which is His people, of which you can include yourself. In the past our efforts and mindset were things that were not of God, thus robbing Him the opportunity to work in our lives. Now that you are able to understand what the house of God is, and that His people are a storehouse for His word, you then set your affection on the things of God which opens the heavenly windows to pour out a blessing for His Church, which is Christ the gift of God given to mankind for edification. Hebrews 5:14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. (KJV) You know, when you are really hungry and in need of a meal, solid food in the form of meat not only satisfies the hunger but provides the nourishment that is needed for the physical body. The same holds true in the spiritual realm, there is a time where those that truly wish to mature in the Lord need to wean themselves off the milk of the word of God and into the meat of it. It is the Lord’s desire that the people not only get the proper nourishment that is needed in the form of solid spiritual meat, but that those who are overseers of the flock, pastors and preachers, provide the meat for the house of God which is His church, the people. While so many these days focus on brick and mortar buildings, the building God is concerned with is His spiritual one, the people that should be getting built up and established in the truth, and not robbed of the true riches of God’s wisdom and knowledge. It is time for God’s people to focus more on the inward and less on the outward in order to be blessed of God and allow His windows to keep open and rain living waters on His people. It is also up to you the individual to spend time in the word of God for yourself so that you can keep your spiritual senses exercised to know the difference between the good and evil, and not be duped by self serving people who are more interested in building up a name for themselves rather than the name of Christ. 1 Corinthians 3:9-11 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building. (10) According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. (11) For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. (KJV) Thayer’s definition for husbandry: 1091 georgion-a cultivated field, husbandry, tillage You, the people of God, are what He considers His building, His storehouse if you would, and that is where the priority for those that have been called to preach should be. You can always tell who the good farmer is because he is outstanding in his field. You are the field, a place where the seed is planted, the storehouse is built, and are now bringing forth fruit unto God in the form of love, joy, peace, and longsuffering as well. There is a wise masterbuilder we can pattern our lives after who can build an eternal building, one that will withstand the storms of this life and preserve His crops for the Master. Are you established in the truth, grounded and settled on the foundation of Jesus Christ and His doctrine, or have you built a foundation on sand that is not settled and can be blown around with a wind of doctrine? 1 Corinthians 3:12-15 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; (13) Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. (14) If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. (15) If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. (KJV) Once you have begun this building it is vital that you endure to the end and make sure it stands. While many may have begun with good intentions somewhere along the line they got sidetracked, and what began in the Spirit was not perfected in the Spirit, but they try to perfect it by the flesh. Our God is a consuming fire, a fire that can be used for purifying as well. Gold and silver and other precious materials can be purified by fire, getting rid of the slag and impurities, leaving the pureness intact. Other things like wood, hay, or stubble are not purified but rather they burn and are destroyed, as they cannot withstand the fire. Many man-made self serving doctrines are similar to wood, hay, and stubble, highly flammable and not of much use; not something you want to build a house with, especially when it is dealing with our eternal residence. When I look at verse 15 and see the word burned, I think of chastening, and how God deals with us concerning impurities in our walk; and though it hurts the flesh to let go of these things, the spirit is set free and yields to the peaceable fruit of righteousness. Philippians 3:7-9 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. (8) Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, (9) And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: (KJV) Paul had his own take on God’s consuming fire, and in the end Paul realized just where the world and its ways ranked as compared to the things of God. Although Paul suffered the loss of all things in this realm he found it opened a new realm for him to operate in and allow God to open the windows of heaven to him so that he could write a good part of the epistles; which at the time he thought were just letters to certain churches, but ended up to be letters for the Church today as well. So where do the things of this life rank with you? Do you consider it a pile of dung also when compared to the things of God, or are you still putting up with a lot unpleasant things to the spirit man which are starting to stink to high heaven? Corinthians 3:16-17 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? (17) If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are. (KJV) You are God’s building, the temple He wishes to occupy and bless. Are you bringing all your efforts and priorities His way, or are you still trying to do things your old dead end ways? Don’t be duped by those that claim to be of God but are defiling His temple with false doctrines and covetous practices; because with what measure is given out will come back their way in a most unpleasant manner with eternal consequences. God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Malachi 3:8-11 Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. (9) Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation. (10) Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. (11) And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of hosts. (KJV)
Here would be another way to look at verse 10; cast all your cares and bring them to God’s storehouse, which is spiritual, and leave them there, letting Him do the caring for you. Being that our God already knows what you had need of before you asked, which by the way that need first and foremost is spiritual, then who better to cast it upon and leave it with than Him? Now that you have begun your walk in the Spirit, concentrate all your efforts and priorities toward the heavenly realm. You know, if someone in this world told or should I say dared you to prove them, then it would be fitting to think that they were confident and able to accomplish what they said. Are you willing to let your heavenly Father prove Himself in your life, or are you more confident in your own abilities? In looking at verse 11 I think of the many ranchers around Montana whose crops can start out so well but be wiped out with one hail storm. For those in Christ, and those that stay grounded and rooted in His promises, God promises to protect our spiritual crop so that it won’t be destroyed by the storms of this life. Remember people, you are a child of God and not just some credit card number, or someone that is merchandised for someone else’s benefit; so allow the Lord to work in your life and don’t settle for anything less. Deuteronomy 24:7 If a man be found stealing any of his brethren of the children of Israel, and maketh merchandise of him, or selleth him; then that thief shall die; and thou shalt put evil away from among you. (KJV) You know, if someone took one of your children from you, then turned around and sold them to make profit off them, there would be an amber alert to get them back and stop this crime. How do you think our Father enjoys seeing His children going into spiritual captivity because of those that claim to be one of His who are robbing the people of truth and selling out to the way of the world and its thinking? According to Deuteronomy 24:7 it is a death sentence, separation from God, an evil that should be put away from God’s people and not supported by them. Hosea 4:6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children. (KJV) When it would please our Father to give them His kingdom, it grieves Him to see it rejected by His own people, robbing Him the opportunity to work on their behalf and bless them the way they were intended to be blessed. Because they forget the law of God they too are forgotten of Him. When they should be bringing their attention and efforts to His storehouse which is spiritual, they are more wrapped up and concerned with the knowledge of this world and miss the mark, exchanging the truth for a lie; those that should be blessed have been cursed and rejected to what was rightfully theirs. John 2:13-16 And the Jews' passover was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem, (14) And found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting: (15) And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers' money, and overthrew the tables; (16) And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father's house an house of merchandise. (KJV) You know, if this is the example our Lord set for us while He walked this earth, then what makes people think that just because He left it is ok to make His house, which by the way we are, a house of merchandising? In fact when I look at the above verses and see that He made a scourge of small cords, He obviously was delivering a pretty stern message to the people. Now if this kind of mentality was not acceptable then, why would anyone think it is today? All this effort we have put in the past concerning our physical upkeep and gain should now be cast out, and replaced with a new set of priorities which are now aimed at the realm of the Spirit. Have you ever desired something in this life, and were bound and determined to get it no matter what; whether a job, husband, wife, anything or anyone you thought was going to bring you peace and fulfillment? Now imagine taking that same effort and mindset and applying it to the spiritual realm, letting God open His windows and not just pour out but receive all the spiritual blessings that are available in Christ. You are more than just merchandise to God, as your own children are to you, so don’t let anyone or any organization treat you like you are; because be assured that those that practice this kind of deception will also be met with a threefold cord when they try to gain access to their eternal reward as well. 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) We see again how many rob God, and are robbed of His spiritual blessings because they fall for man’s cheap self serving damnable heresies which deny the truth our Lord delivered through His word, and keep the people in bondage. While it would be our Father’s good pleasure to open the windows of heaven upon those that are His, they keep the windows shut and damned up because of their false teachings. While mankind thinks bigger is better, the more the merrier, God is still looking for those few that are willing to walk that narrow path that leads to life, an eternal life that is rightfully theirs and given to them by the sacrifice of His only begotten Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Proverbs 3:13-18 Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding. (14) For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold. (15) She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her. (16) Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour. (17) Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. (18) She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her. (KJV) Where your treasure is today is where you heart is and what will determine your outcome. Are you willing to let go of the things of this life so that you can partake of the true riches, or are you robbing God the opportunity to bless you the way He intended? You are more than just a number or a piece of merchandise in God’s sight, and don’t be taken in by those that think and teach otherwise. It is our Father’s good pleasure to give you His kingdom, which is above and beyond anything you could have thought or imagined. So go partake of what is rightfully yours and don’t settle for anything less. God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Malachi 3:8-9 Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. (9) Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation. (KJV)
We talked yesterday about identity theft, which is when one pretends to be someone they are not and use their name for advantage sake, many times financial ones. While many of today’s so called preachers and prophets of God claim the problem with the church is their lack of giving in tithes and offerings, the truth be known, the reason God is not a part of their equation is because most of their attention is focused on the financial and not the spiritual, thus robbing the people of truth which truly reveals who God is. While many profess themselves to be wise concerning the kingdom of God they are actually fools, because rather than teaching the people who they are in Christ they lower His standards by twisting and perverting the word of God, thinking God is like man, more concerned with earthly things than spiritual ones. That which is highly esteemed among mankind, which the love of money would definitely fall into that category, is actually an abomination in the sight of God, as well as idolatry when mankind and its worldly preachers put their own priorities above the Lord’s. God is a Spirit, and those that wish to partake of His spiritual kingdom must, not should or maybe, worship Him in spirit and in truth; anything else and you are just a thief and a robber, trying to access God through the flesh and its fallen desires. Malachi 3:10-12 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. (11) And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of hosts. (12) And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the LORD of hosts. (KJV) Once you are able to truly identify which storehouse is the Lord’s, then you now have become a partaker of His spiritual realm, as well as all the spiritual blessings that are available to His people. If you notice in verse 12 it refers to His people as a delightsome land, fertile ground if you would, to plant the seed of God in, which is Christ, and allow it to bring forth the fruit of the Spirit to perfection (maturity). God then opens the windows of heaven up for a downpour of living waters so that you can be rooted and grounded in the love of God, not in watered down messages, and messengers that are more concerned with their financial outcome than the congregation’s spiritual one. Your diligence and commitment to God on a daily basis in the word of God and in prayer will allow you to keep your attention focused on the things above, and not so entangled with the things of this life. Like the book of John says ‘He must increase and I must decrease’ so that there can be more of Christ in you manifesting and less of your fallen nature festering. Romans 12:1-2 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. (2) 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. (KJV) Here is another take on verse 2; good, acceptable, and perfect will, equates to the gospels version of bringing forth fruit, some 30, some 60, to the point of hundredfold, the perfect will of God. The more you present yourself to God, willingly entering into His rest and ceasing from your own works, the more you allow Him to work in and through you, building a confident relationship with the Father based on love and not guilt. While so many claim that the congregation needs to be giving more to get God’s approval and love, the truth be known, God just desires more of you, your time and talent as well so that the line of communication can be opened and stay open, so that you can be a partaker of His divine nature. A true man of God is not conformed to the world and its way of thinking, which puts money ahead of the true riches in Christ, but is changed and transformed by a constant renewing of the mind so that they can learn to operate more with the mind of Christ and less with the mindset of the world. 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 to morrow 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) Have you truly stopped and considered the beauty of a lily? Now stop and ask yourself, what did the lily do to get that beautiful? If the answer is nothing but to let God have His way then you are on the right path. The seed was put into the ground, the heavens opened and poured out a blessing of rain, and it grew and prospered into what God intended it to be. The lily didn’t have to tithe and give offerings to some big name preacher or organization to win God’s favor, and neither do you. If God is willing to do this with a flower, which is one of His many creations, just think what He can do with you if you let Him; and remember our salvation is based on faith and not works, lest any man should boast. Quit being so full of doubt, and comparing the love of God to the love of man which is based on a ‘what have you done for me lately’ attitude, but rather know that God loves you for who you are, right now, unconditionally. Luke 12:30-32 For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things. (31) But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you. (32) Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. (KJV) Do you wish to please your heavenly Father? Nothing pleases Him more than to see His children walk in truth and allow Him to give them His kingdom. As a parent raising a child, all you want for them is the best and not to see any harm come to them; your heavenly Father desires the same for you. When raising your children, did you only feed them if they gave you money for a meal, or were you willing to freely feed them because you loved them and they were one of your own? Why then do so many portray our heavenly Father as some cheapskate, who is only concerned with financial matters and not with what really matters, the true love of God? Is there anything more disgusting than seeing a bunch of half baked ministers, who claim to be of God, selling His word and blessings to the highest bidders? Talk about identity theft! Except this one has eternal consequences people. You are not dummies and should not be treated like one either; we all know or should know the difference between the voice of God and that other voice of guilt and damnation. We know how we need to support those that truly are called of God, and truly preach His word, because it will be based on love for the flock they are feeding; and not based on a bunch of you know what, that some are feeding the people to make gain of them. Fear not flock of God, it is our Father’s good pleasure to not only give you an inheritance in His kingdom, but to see you grow and prosper in it, accepting nothing less than the true identity of God which is found in Christ. God bless and expect the best, nothing less. Have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Matthew 24:4-5 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. (5) For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. (KJV)
In this day and age of computers and high tech we are constantly being warned to be on the lookout for identity theft. Which is when someone takes the name and other personal information of another person without their knowledge and claims to be that person; then they go out and about misrepresenting that person for their own advantage or gain. The same holds true in the spiritual realm; many have taken the name of Christ, so called Christians who claim to be Christ like, and use His name for their own advantage or gain, many times robbing the people blind without them even knowing it is taking place. We are told to take heed, be aware and on the lookout, so that when this type of crime is being committed one will take action and not allow their spiritual account to be robbed and pilfered. You know how quickly you would be on the phone demanding a response if you found your credit card was being accessed by someone else; yet are you as quick and alert spiritually, as well as persistent, to address spiritual theft in like manner, or do you ignore the warnings until you are literally bankrupt spiritually? Ephesians 5:6-11 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: (9) (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) (10) Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. (11) And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. (KJV) Some of these people you associate with: are you doing it because they truly are preaching sound doctrine which brings health to the spirit man, or are you more of a friend of the world blindly following an organization because of a highly regarded personality or denomination? It’s up to you, the individual, on what you put your stamp of approval on, or should I say what you put God’s stamp of approval on, because many have chosen the wide path of destruction that is misrepresenting God’s identity and replacing it with man’s. The word of God is very specific to point out that not only should we not be caught up in this identity theft, but the moment it is spotted we should immediately take action by not having fellowship with it, and reprove them just as we would if it involved our financial state. Malachi 3:7-9 Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from mine ordinances, and have not kept them. Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the LORD of hosts. But ye said, Wherein shall we return? (8) Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. (9) Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation. (KJV) Here is a different take on the above verses, on how many have robbed God similar to identity theft. While many of today’s so called preachers claim that the reason people are robbing God the opportunity to work on their behalf is because they don’t tithe enough and give to their organizations, the truth be known is that they are being duped into tithing and giving to the wrong organizations, supporting those that claim to be of God but are not. While many may have good intentions in the beginning, instead of being on the lookout and alert they let their spiritual shield of faith down and get hit with the fiery darts of the enemy. Malachi 3:9-11 Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation. (10) Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. (11) And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of hosts. (KJV) While you were asleep at the wheel, by the time you woke up you were in a ditch spinning your wheels and going nowhere fast. Instead of being doers of the word of God and not hearers only, you were putting tithes in the wrong storehouse; and were now a part of those that were robbing God and His people of the true riches of His inheritance which are in the spiritual realm, and not the financial one as many claim. God is a Spirit; His storehouse is a spiritual one as well, which means the meat that should be in His house, which you happen to be, should be of a spiritual nature as well so that you can get off the milk of the word of God and grow strong and mature. But sad to say, for when the time you need to be teaching and instructing others, you have need that one teach you again the first principles so that you can quickly identify the difference between the truth and the lies. It’s only those that come to the realization that God is a Spirit and in order to truly worship Him it has to be done in spirit, as well as in truth; so in order for Him to open the windows of heaven you have to be operating in His realm, and not stuck in the dead end realm of the flesh with all its cheap imitations of what man says are riches. God’s storehouse is spiritual, located in the heavenly realm, while many man-made doctrines are stuck in the physical realm so that many are unable to partake of His spiritual blessing that has been poured out for His people. Could you imagine if you were a delivery driver with a full load of cargo and ended up delivering the load to the wrong warehouse? How long do you think you would have a job let alone expect to get a paycheck? This is in essence what the above verses in Malachi are referring to; those that get caught up in the identity theft end up being diverted from the truth, delivering to the enemy’s storehouse instead of the Lord’s. While many limit tithing to just money, it is your time and talent the Lord is truly seeking; because with what measure you meet His way is measured back to you; and it is the Lord’s good pleasure to open His windows and pour blessings out unto His people; same as, we as parents desire for our own children. Quit being duped Church; if you want God in your life and wish to be partakers of His heavenly reward then you need to be seeking those things which are above to find the right storehouse. It’s time you double check the address, the only way to the Father is through His Son Jesus Christ, so that you can grow strong in the Lord and the power of His might, and allow Him to open His window of opportunity your way and receive His spiritual reward. John 4:31-34 In the mean while his disciples prayed him, saying, Master, eat. (32) But he said unto them, I have meat to eat that ye know not of. (33) Therefore said the disciples one to another, Hath any man brought him ought to eat? (34) Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work. (KJV) Which storehouse are you delivering to today? Where are you looking for your answer, for the spiritual meat of the word of God that will strengthen and sustain you today? Is there meat in your house, or has the enemy diverted your load and stolen what is rightfully yours with some cheap imitation, and mislabeled the product so that what was intended to be healthy is actually spoiled and rotten because it never arrived at its destination? Talk about identity theft, the true spiritual meat of the word of God and God’s true intention of it is being stolen from many, and they have shut the windows of heaven and are not partaking of all of the spiritual blessings God has for His people. Don’t be duped Church; for because of these things comes the wrath of God, not only on those that do this stuff and preach these false doctrines, but also on those that lend their support to it will also suffer dire eternal consequences as well. God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. |
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