|
Good day. Today's video Balancing Acts is on the topic: Balance and equality. What is the just weight and balance of how the Lord would have his people operate? 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 morning. Today's video The Son - Part12 is on the topic of who the Son of God is; the cross of Christ. Dear Church, loved of God our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, are you dying to get to Heaven? Paul the apostle said he died daily. 1 Corinthians 15:31 I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily. (KJV) We were given an example by our Lord Jesus Christ of dying daily as He did to the fleshly lusts and desires so that He could be resurrected a new man upright and well pleasing in God’s sight. The Lord Jesus took up His spiritual cross daily, not just the physical cross that happened once that everyone knows about, but daily He died that we might live, thus why the scriptures refer to the cross of Christ. He humbled himself and laid aside the lusts of the flesh, but not without suffering, and followed the Spirit of Christ within Him. Learned He obedience by the things which He suffered; having been tempted in every manner as we are and yet sinned not (Hebrews 2:18; 4:14-16). Philippians 2:5-8 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. (KJV) Hebrews 5:7-10 Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared; Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him; (KJV) Have you taken up your spiritual cross, nailing the lusts of the flesh to it through obedience on a daily basis, and suffering for Christ’s sake? Taking up our cross involves dying to self, daily crucifying the old man which was born into sin (of the flesh) so that we are able to resurrect into the new man which was born into the righteousness of God (of the Spirit), Christ in us the hope of glory. Salvation is not a one and done; each day we make the choice to take up our cross and follow the leading of the Holy Spirit in obedience. We have a choice to suffer and follow Christ or to take the path of least resistance and follow the lusts of the flesh and the world thereof. Romans 6:4-14 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin. Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. (KJV) Sin is destroyed when we choose to be obedient to the leading and guiding of the Holy Spirit. But remember sin can revive through temptation when we are drawn away of our own lusts, and enticed; then when lust has conceived it brings forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, brings forth death (James 1:14-15), which is separation from God our Father. Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (KJV) But thanks be to God for His grace who has given us a great high priest, an advocate, on our behalf, Jesus Christ our Lord who is the only way to restore peace with the Father. There is no peace with God our Father without abiding (remaining) in Christ, and Christ abiding in us; the cross of Christ. So dearly loved, take up the cross of Christ and live. 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. 1 Corinthians 7:23-24 Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men. (24) Brethren, let every man, wherein he is called, therein abide with God. (KJV)
Williams New Testament translation of 1 Corinthians 7:23-24 23. You have been bought and actually paid for; stop becoming slaves to men. 24. Brothers, each one must continue close to God in the very station in which he was called. Have you ever heard the term live within your means? Now translate that into the realm of God and ask yourself, do you truly know what that means? Like with a prepaid phone card you are given an allotment of minutes to use and speak with, something that has been prepaid and determined beforehand. You too have been bought and paid for with a price, that being the sacrifice of Jesus Christ once and for all to ransom us back to the Lord and provide fellowship with our Father again. Today I would like to cover the financial aspect of these verses, keeping in mind too that we are bought with a price, that our Lord has all our need covered, spirit, soul, and body. Did you realize that like with a prepaid phone card you have been given an allotment to live by from our heavenly Father; in other words as long as you live within His means then you will never come up short? Remember, no man can serve two masters; we cannot serve God and mammon or riches at the same time, so we need to make the choice and stay with that. 1 Timothy 6:6-11 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. (9) But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. (10) For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. (11) But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. (KJV) Let’s be honest today; haven’t we all thought at times that if we just had more money it would solve all our problems? In the realm of this fallen world lotteries are a big hit because those that win them do have part of their problems solved, that being the financial one. But that is not the answer to a spiritual issue, one that many of God’s people are actively pursuing after and have gotten out of balance thinking it will solve all their issues as well. Have you ever given thought to the fact that like a parent with a child, you have been given an allotment for which you are to live with, something our heavenly Father chose for you before the foundation of this world? So anytime we wander off the path of life and go pursuing after the things of this world as we see in verses 9&10, then we have stepped out of the will of God and into our own will. Then that life you claimed was committed to the Lord is now taking on a life of its own, with a love of God being drowned out by a love for this world and the things of it. We are no longer living within our Father’s means and what He intended for us to live peaceably in, but rather having the life choked out of us with the cares of this life, the deceitfulness of riches, and lusts of other things have entered into the heart and blinded us spiritually. In essence, by going out on our own and trying to improve, or what we think is improving ourselves financially, the reality is we are telling God He is a liar and didn’t provide our need. Philippians 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. (KJV) Oh but I prayed and prayed, and nothing happened, doesn’t God care for me? Well He does and He did before the foundation of this world; He planned your life and the provisions that it would take to get you through it and into His eternal kingdom, but did you follow through with what He is asking of you, or how He is asking it of you? Are you and the Lord still in one accord, you know of one mind and one heart, or has there been some waffling and staggering on your part, maybe some double minded doubt has crept in, or you decided to take matters into your own hands to try and work your way out of a situation instead of being still and letting patience have its perfect work. Sometimes the wisdom of God really does go beyond our way of thinking because He is not limited to this carnal realm, but is able to do things that are impossible to man, but totally possible to those that believe. So, is God truly your source, and are you living within His means of what He is asking today, or have you stepped out of the realm of faith and into doubt and fear? Matthew 17:24-27 And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute? (25) He saith, Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers? (26) Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free. (27) Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee. (KJV) The above example shown gives us an accurate illustration of someone that knew their rights and authority in the word of God as well as the promises of God. This man Jesus Christ knew that by seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness that anything that was needed here on earth was provided, no matter how or what manner. This man, Jesus Christ, lived by faith knowing God was His source, and that He had a plan for His life before the foundation of this world; and by knowing He was on the path that God chose for Him, God would confirm His word and supply all His need. The question today is, are you on the path God chose for you; and is the kingdom of God which is spiritual your first priority as well, or have you stepped out of the realm of faith and into a realm of darkness and despair? Luke 16:10-13 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? (12) And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man's, who shall give you that which is your own? (13) No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. (KJV) What mankind says is so important is actually least important to God; while what God says is the most important is actually considered least to mankind; you know, like the last shall be first and the first last? So what is your priority today and what is it that you are seeking first and foremost; is it the things of God and His kingdom, or are you more concerned with building up your own little kingdom on earth? God promised to supply all our need, the most important need being spiritual; now the question is, are you living within His means and still walking the path He chose for you before the foundation of the world, or have you stepped out of His will and are building a foundation on the shaky sandy one of this fallen world? People, if there is a shortage or what you consider a shortage, keep in mind it is not on our Father’s end, but rather may just be a reflection of a lack of commitment on this end. God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Deuteronomy 28:13 And the LORD shall make thee the head, and not the tail; and thou shalt be above only, and thou shalt not be beneath; if that thou hearken unto the commandments of the LORD thy God, which I command thee this day, to observe and to do them: (KJV)
Have you ever had a favorite sports team you cheered for? How about these big cities that have their franchises, teams that have been around for a long time and have a big following, ever notice how fickle the fans are if the team starts losing? Oh boy, once they get on a roll and make it to the finals then the fans come out of the woodwork and jump back on the popular bandwagon again, acting like they never left. Well if you notice in the above verse, team Christ is made the Head, in other words they are always in first place and they never have to take a back seat to anyone or any circumstance either. Do you always keep this in mind, or are you acting like someone just kicked your tail end? The Lord made you the head, He didn’t put you in last place nor are you last on His priority list either. But He chose to die on your behalf even when you were a sinner playing for the other team. Now that you are part of His team, how much better is your life, knowing you are in first place and have the opportunity to remain there as long as you are willing and obedient to His word? The Bible says if God be for us then who can be against us. Would you like to take on God and see how you fare? Well, many have throughout the Bible, and have failed miserably I might add. In fact weren’t you quite miserable yourself before you knew the Lord, and were enemies and alienated from the life of God by your carnal thinking? With this in mind, hopefully a renewed one, why do so many of God’s people walk around acting like the tail and not the Head, acting like they are in last place instead of first? Matthew 10:29-31 Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. (30) But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. (31) Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows. (KJV) Hey speaking of head, how many hairs did you count on yours today? How about that sparrow that keeled over in your back yard, were you aware of that? Our Father in heaven was aware of it, just as He is aware of you and your need as well. So what was that hair count this morning, or did you lose count? Yet with this in mind we still doubt God or act like He doesn’t hear us or love us anymore, sounds rather birdbrain don’t it? A God that feeds sparrows and keeps an accurate head count of them is certainly not going to forget you is He? No, if fact your value is much more than a birds, just like one of your children would have more attention put on them than the birds in the backyard. So why all this fretting and fussing when you can’t even count the hairs on your own head, yet you have the audacity to doubt our Father in heaven? If you don’t like the results in your life then maybe you best be checking the direction you’re heading in and make sure it is the path our Lord intended for you to be on and not some dead end you chose to follow. Luke 12:24-26 Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls? (25) And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit? (26) If ye then be not able to do that thing which is least, why take ye thought for the rest? (KJV) You ever wonder how the leaven got into the bread of life; subtly snuck in there when you weren’t looking or paying attention to details? Again we see an example of the birds, this time ravens which the word says God feeds them; did you ever stop and think about that? Are you not of much more value than these fowls? Yet that is how you act at times or think God sees you. Which of you being a parent would feed the birds and starve your children? That would be criminal and insane, yet that is how easy it is to drift off the path of life if one doesn’t keep a watch on the heart and monitor the mind bringing every thought into obedience to Christ. Consider the ravens; when is the last time you saw one drop over from heart failure because the stock market took a dive, or the price of fuel just rose another ten cents a gallon? Are we not better than these fowls, which is what is being asked in the above verses? In other words, when you cast all your care upon the Lord then do you leave it with Him letting Him do the caring for you? Or do you cast your cares upon the Lord and then like a fisherman reel them back in and reevaluate them thinking you can handle it yourself? Sound to simple, yeah that is the part we miss though, that simplicity. You know, instead of watching some hot shot preacher on TV tell you how to live, and how much better you could live if you show them the money, turn off the tube and look in the backyard and consider what is around you, right in front of you, and how simple the Lord would like us to live if we would only let Him be the Head of our life. Matthew 11:28-30 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (29) Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. (30) For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. (KJV) ‘Come unto me’, get steered in the right direction, go to the Head if you wish to be the head and remain in first place. How did things get so complicated, how did you get weighed down with so much burden and heaviness? Well it started ever so simple, so subtle; just snuck right by you while you were looking elsewhere to find rest. Do you remember where they put the yokes? Yup right around the neck which is attached to the head. All this excess weight and baggage you have been lugging around was it something our Lord asked you to carry, or is it something the enemy packed on while you weren’t looking? The Lord’s burden is easy; in fact it is light, otherwise He wouldn’t have said it. But that only applies when you let Him have it and not try to carry the load yourself. Ever hear of the two-headed monster? Well, that’s what happens to people when they become yoked with something of this world, double minded and unstable, unable to do what the Lord is asking because they are too weighed down with the cares of this life. The yokes on you; now it would do you good to make sure you put it on the Head, and not the tail end or you will end up with a big mess. Hebrews 12:1-2 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, (2) Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. (KJV) Remember what comes out of a cloud? Did you know you are surrounded with a cloudburst, ready to rain down on you in the form of living waters? Let’s get rid of all this excess baggage which is a result of sin; sin being unbelief. Let’s start looking above to a man that is seated at the right hand of God, the man being Jesus Christ who not only authored but finished our faith, providing all that was needed so that we could run this same course, the course that is heading home. A spiritual race requires a spiritual leader, so why not follow one that ran this race and is in first place so that you will be also, and all those that follow His lead. God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Deuteronomy 28:12-13 The LORD shall open unto thee his good treasure, the heaven to give the rain unto thy land in his season, and to bless all the work of thine hand: and thou shalt lend unto many nations, and thou shalt not borrow. (13) And the LORD shall make thee the head, and not the tail; and thou shalt be above only, and thou shalt not be beneath; if that thou hearken unto the commandments of the LORD thy God, which I command thee this day, to observe and to do them: (KJV)
It is the Lord’s desire that you are made the head, Christ like, is another way of describing it. In order for one to be a part of the body and be an imitator of Christ it is imperative that they know who the Head is and how He operates. How about getting into His head, the Bible says we have the mind of Christ, one that opens the eyes of our understanding so that we can see beyond the veil of the flesh and into the realm of the Spirit. All the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hid in Christ; that which is unseen to the carnal yet readily revealed to the spiritual one. Ephesians 1:17-23 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: (18) The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, (19) And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, (20) Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, (21) Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: (22) And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, (23) Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all. (KJV) God set an order to His church and how it would operate. Christ is the Head of the Church, which you are, and which He should be in order for you to access all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge that are in Him. So where do you go looking for your answer when in time of need, do you seek first God’s take on how to handle things, or are you standing around the tail end getting soiled with man’s interpretation of what they think and not what the Lord knows and what His people should know? If God decided that Christ is the right man to be the Head of the Church isn’t it time you came into agreement with that plan as well? After all we are either with Him or against Him, so if any man has not the spirit of Christ and a working knowledge of Him then they are none of His, which would put them in the position of antichrist, heading downward instead of upward. Heads we win, tails we lose, and so does anyone that tries to alter and change God’s plan of salvation or the order He put His people in. 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) So many different names that mankind comes up with, so many different denominations mankind tries to label God with and put Him in their carnal boxes limiting Him according to their carnal understanding and not the wisdom available to those in Christ. God has narrowed His path and provided the one name that will lead to salvation, that being Jesus Christ, while anything less leaves one in the back of the line and on the outside. There is no other name under heaven, this is it, the one name above all other names; one name will get you home and to the Head while anything less will leave you dead. Are you using this name so that you can go to the Head and access all that God has for you, or are you trying some other path that will leave you short and stuck tail gating another blind person heading for the ditch? One name, one Lord, one faith, one Head of the Church, it all points to Christ because that is the way God intended it to be so that you could partake of all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge that He has for His people. Ephesians 5:23-25 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. (24) Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. (25) Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; (KJV) What do you think life on earth would be like if man just followed God’s simple plan of salvation and didn’t try to alter what He put in place? Like the old song says, “what a wonderful world this would be”. Again we see a simple order of what the Lord intended, just as He did back in the book of Genesis a man and a woman is the only union He blesses and acknowledges, while anything else and they are on their own, outside the realm where He blesses. So with all this talk going around about alternative lifestyles, the only thing being alternated is a lie for the truth, which if continued will result in hell instead of heaven, an alternative God did not intend for His people. God is not the author of confusion but of peace. So if you desire the peace of God in your life then you need to come into agreement with His plan of salvation and the order He set for His church. 1 Corinthians 12:18-21 But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. (19) And if they were all one member, where were the body? (20) But now are they many members, yet but one body. (21) And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. (KJV) If God set the members and the order of His body of believers in a way that is pleasing to Him then who are we to tell Him different? Our physical bodies can be amputated and certain parts cut off in order to live, but once you cut the head off it’s all done, and death will be the result. Given the fact that the spiritual realm is so much greater than the physical one, would it not do you well to heed the word of God so that you don’t cut off the Head of the Church from your life and end up dead also? Heads up people, our salvation draws near, keep looking above and you won’t get so entangled with the things below, things below God’s standards. God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Deuteronomy 28:11-14 And the LORD shall make thee plenteous in goods, in the fruit of thy body, and in the fruit of thy cattle, and in the fruit of thy ground, in the land which the LORD sware unto thy fathers to give thee. (12) The LORD shall open unto thee his good treasure, the heaven to give the rain unto thy land in his season, and to bless all the work of thine hand: and thou shalt lend unto many nations, and thou shalt not borrow. (13) And the LORD shall make thee the head, and not the tail; and thou shalt be above only, and thou shalt not be beneath; if that thou hearken unto the commandments of the LORD thy God, which I command thee this day, to observe and to do them: (14) And thou shalt not go aside from any of the words which I command thee this day, to the right hand, or to the left, to go after other gods to serve them. (KJV)
When flipping coins to determine an answer or outcome for a situation one is subject to however it bounces and where it lands in order to determine an outcome. For those in Christ that truly know their rights and authority in the word of God they are not subject to chance, or luck, or any bounce of a coin they hope will go their way, but rather one is able to know for sure they can be the head and not the tail. Even in times of fuel shortages, rising prices all around us, and any other manufactured thing man comes up with to make more profit, the Lord promises to supply all our need and allow us to rise above any situation that comes along, as long as we hold Him to be true above and beyond the outward circumstances. If one goes back and reads the first 14 verses of this chapter you see a simple life of blessings which the Lord promised His people, while after verse 14 life becomes quite complicated and unpleasant to those that choose to be the tail. The reason people end up at the back end and not the head is in many cases they don’t know who the head of the Church is and how to access Him in order to stay in that position. Rather than being seated in the heavenly realm to hear the message of Christ they stay entangled in the affairs of this life and end up with, for lack of a better phrase, crappy results. We all get one life to live, that’s it, and what a shame that so many people waste their opportunities the Lord provides, and not partake of the Lord’s good treasure He has available for any or all that would call upon His name and be obedient to what He is asking this day. Which realm are you partaking of today; is it truly the one the Lord promised or are you settling for second hand cheap imitations of the devil and your life resembles more of what comes out the tail than the head? Psalms 23:1-6 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. (2) He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. (3) He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. (4) Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. (5) Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. (6) Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever. (KJV) Remember this Psalms which we hear recited over and over again? Notice the first thing that has to take place in order for the rest to follow? Is the Lord really the shepherd or head of your life and calling the shots, or are you allowing the devil to get in cheap shots? There are times that we are confronted with situations which can overwhelm our minds, and the outcome seems like we are walking right into a valley of darkness and death, but that is where you realize that God has not given His people the spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind that holds fast to a sound victory. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow us all the days of our lives as long as we allow the Lord to be the head of our life. 1 Corinthians 11:3 But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God. (KJV) We see a simple order of how God set up His church to operate, and what allows these blessings to be in play for His people so that they can stay assured they are one of His despite all the turmoil going around them in this fallen world. Anytime this order is changed or altered by mankind, then they are no longer able to partake of the Lord’s good treasure, but end up back at the tail section receiving whatever comes out that end. If one wishes to be the head then they need to know who The Head is so that they can hear His message and learn to be imitators of Christ. Mankind alters and changes the message God sent through His Son thinking they will find peace. But in the end, and that would be the rear end, they end up with a pile of steaming strife and confusion fresh from the bowels of hell. While on this subject, apparently there seems to be a lot of confusion about marriage these days, somehow man no longer accepts the concept of a man and woman, but rather they think they can incorporate their own ideas into the equation. The Lord is quite specific on what He blesses and approves of and what gets sent to the back of the line, and nowhere in the His word does He alter from the man and woman concept. The above verse is clear to point out the head of man is Christ, not another man as some think or try to alter into a different lifestyle our Lord didn’t intend as an alternate. 1 Peter 2:6-8 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) Many are called but only a few chosen, because the many try to build their house without the Chief corner stone in place, and that stone would be Christ. Many are confounded, which means disgraced or put to shame, because they try to alter God’s plan of salvation to fit their lifestyle rather than rising up and sitting with the head giving ear to how He would have His church built, which you just happen to be. Today, this moment, you have the opportunity to rise above this fallen world through the victory that we have in Christ so that you can be the head and not settle for the tail end of this fallen world. God bless. Have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. 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)
Remember what you brought with you when you arrived into this world? If you are not sure you can try to ask someone that was there when you were born, or you could spend some time around the maternity ward to see what is brought into this realm by newborns. According to the word of God there will be no carry-on luggage, which includes your departure from this world also. So with this in mind, what is it you were fussing and fretting about today; was it really something that involved your spiritual life, or are you still consumed and being eaten alive with the cares of this life? Sound silly, to simple, well believe it or not that is the part most people miss and stumble over, the simplicity of the gospel. According to God’s itinerary, the same things you arrived into this world with are also what you will depart with in the end. The question is will you be bringing something spiritual with you on your way out? In other words we came into this world with nothing, but we have the opportunity to leave with everything, the catch is that it has nothing to do with this world. I use the phrase catch, because I still see so many who claim they are one of the Lord’s who say they are totally committed to Him only to see them still caught up and snared with the things of this world, which are drowning them in destruction and despair. Have you learned to truly be content, or will you be content some day when you get everything you think you need or desire? After all you may not think having food and raiment is such a big deal, and are more interested in other things. So let me point this fact out, just try going a day, a few days, or even a week without food and raiment, and then let’s see if it is not such a big deal. Suddenly everything you have taken for granted and overlooked is now more appreciated, with a few thank-you’s added in for good measure. 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) Talk about going off the deep end, how would you feel if you had just pulled a drowning person out of the water only to see them jump back in again? God’s plan of salvation is to deliver His people from this present evil world, which we see in the verses above is described as being the love of money, only to see them turn around and jump right back into the cesspool of this fallen world again. Now stop and think how you would feel if that person you saw jumping back into water and drowning again was one of your own children? How quickly mankind jumps ship; the only problem is the ship they jump into has some major holes in its doctrines and is ready to go under. Will you stay afloat and rise above the cares and concerns of this world, or will you end up going deep sea diving for fool’s gold and miss your lifeboat when it comes by? Matthew 6:23 But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness! (KJV) God’s plan of salvation is a way of escape, an escape from this present evil world into a realm of the righteousness of God. How is one ever going to find this path of life, let alone ever stay on it, unless they make it a priority in their walk? A spiritual path requires a spiritual light, and without the true light shining in their heart it will be replaced with a false one. Matthew 6:19-24 The lamp of the body, that which receives and dispenses the light, is the eye. If the eye, used here figuratively for one's spiritual understanding, be single (opposite of "twofold"), not afflicted with double vision in this matter of treasures —an affliction which is evil —then the individual can regard riches in their proper perspective. The impossibility of serving two masters in a slave relationship is a graphic illustration. Mammon. Though its derivation is uncertain, it appears to be an Aramaic word for wealth, here personified. Note that Jesus condemns not wealth but enslavement to wealth. (from Wycliffe Commentary) Many are called, but few are truly chosen by our Lord because many a well-intentioned Christians have replaced their love for the Lord with another love. So like with a cheating spouse in a marriage relationship, or drinking and driving, eventually there is going to be a heck of a wreck. Some of these piercings and sorrows you are experiencing have been a result of your shield of faith, or lack of it, which is allowing the enemy to have a clear shot at the heart with his fiery darts, starting a fire in a place that has dried out because of a lack of living waters. Matthew 6:31-34 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (32) (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. (33) But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. (34) Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. (KJV) The point of this week’s studies is a reminder of the simplicity of the gospel and how important it is to learn to be content. Yes we are in this world, and there are needs that have to be dealt with, both spiritual and physical, the point is getting and keeping your priority right so the things of this life don’t become too big of a distraction. God promises His people He will supply all their need, and as a parent you would never forget your children, so what makes you think God does His? The Bible is specific in how we are to access God and get the provisions needed, which first and foremost it needs to be spiritual, thus why many miss the mark, getting it backwards, or the cart before the horse. Your message for today is to keep in mind that your arrival and departure are similar in the fact that you came here with nothing and will depart with the same luggage as well. So with this in mind why are you so concerned with things you can’t take with you, instead of with something that you can, that being eternal salvation? John 19:23-24 Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took his garments, and made four parts, to every soldier a part; and also his coat: now the coat was without seam, woven from the top throughout. (24) They said therefore among themselves, Let us not rend it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be: that the scripture might be fulfilled, which saith, They parted my raiment among them, and for my vesture they did cast lots. These things therefore the soldiers did. (KJV) This man that is described for us in the above verses is now seated at the right hand of God; and as we see He didn’t leave much behind when He left, at least not in the physical realm. Jesus Christ didn’t entangle Himself with the affairs of this life, which allowed Him to partake of the new life, the one that lasts for eternity. Now it’s your turn, what do you truly treasure, and where is it leading you today? God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Proverbs 16:11 A just weight and balance are the LORD's: all the weights of the bag are his work. (KJV)
The just or justified shall live by faith; so in order to find the proper balance or rightly divide the word of truth one needs to hear the Lord for themselves on how to remain justified on a daily basis in order to do those things that are pleasing in His sight. What the world says is righteous is often determined by the outward and not the inward, and what our Lord considers righteous is determined by the inward and not the outward, the secret hidden man within where our Lord chooses to operate. When a person is able to see clearly through the eyes of the Lord it is at that point that they are able to see the one path that He is asking them to walk this day, right now, the one and only path that leads to salvation. Matthew 6:19-21 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: (20) But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: (21) For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. (KJV) Moth and rust usually gathers and builds up on things that are no longer in use, but have been discarded. The reason these things end up discarded is because you are now off and running, chasing after something else you think will make you whole. That thief that has broken into your house and is in the process of stealing, that thief is spiritual in nature, a fallen one actually, one who has influenced you to chase after temporal things, and not seek the eternal things of God. So a new life you told the Lord would be your only treasure is now replaced with some cheap imitation of the enemy, fool’s gold comes to mind, something that looks good and glitters on the outside but is worthless on the inside. Matthew 6:22-24 The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. (23) But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness! (24) No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. (KJV) What happens when a person gets double vision? Things start to get blurry, unrecognizable and distorted. That path of life you were once following is gone, out of sight, replaced with some wide super highway leading to destruction. What you thought would be the so called light at the end of the tunnel is actually leading you into a darker realm, like the blind leading the blind and everyone ends up in a ditch. So whose eyes are you seeing with today, and what is enlightening your path? Is it truly the light of the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ, or is something else getting more of your attention? Proverbs 27:19-20 As in water face answereth to face, so the heart of man to man. (20) Hell and destruction are never full; so the eyes of man are never satisfied. (KJV) Why does man keep looking to man to find the answer to salvation when our Lord tells us specifically that all the true treasures of wisdom and knowledge are in Christ? No matter how many times you look into the water the only reflection you will see is what is in front of it. No matter how many times you go to mankind and their ways all you will ever get is a carnal answer to a spiritual question. No matter how many times you look at situations in your life and try to analyze it according to your carnal thinking it will never satisfy and provide a peaceable solution. We have talked this week about the word content, which godliness with this contentment is great gain. So if you are still more apt to be treasuring the things of this life and looking to find fulfillment in this realm you will never be satisfied. However, if one chooses and makes it more of a priority to seek the things of God then they will find the one true joy and peace, spiritual satisfaction they were looking for. Years ago a famous rock band sang a song called “I can’t get no satisfaction”, which became a big hit for them, and still is. These were people that had all the fame, fortune, and anything else this fallen world has to offer, and yet with all that they still didn’t find satisfaction. And how could they when our Lord said it isn’t in this realm. Sad to say we have many standing in pulpits preaching a prosperity message that is based on the same premise, getting people all caught up in a fallen realm instead of the one our Lord intended for His people to operate in. James 1:5-8 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. (6) But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. (7) For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. (8) A double minded man is unstable in all his ways. (KJV) No man can serve two masters; oh and don’t forget what happens to a house divided, yeah it takes a tumble as well. When I think of someone double minded, someone wavering back and forth it reminds me of someone in a drunken stupor. How quick are you going to be handing over responsibility or something of importance to someone who is falling down drunk and staggering around in confusion? Well our Lord doesn’t consider that a very good place to be in either. Someone that should be walking by faith is getting a beat down by winds of doctrines of mankind, choosing temporal over eternal riches. I know for myself I am not one that enjoys a ride on a ship, especially when there is a storm blowing, because it can toss one back and forth, let alone make them nauseous. 1 Timothy 6:8-11 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. (9) But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. (10) For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. (11) But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. (KJV) If your vision is distorted and is what is described as evil then the root of all that stems from the love of money. Your love for the Lord, which is what you pledged to Him in the beginning of your walk, is now growing colder and being replaced with something else, something that will never satisfy or bring peace. You are no longer content with food and raiment, the bread of life and the armor of God, but rather looking elsewhere in a fallen dead realm to find life. In closing today keep in mind, that which is highly esteemed or a priority with man, is an abomination in the sight of God. Our Father’s vision is single, and so are His children’s, those who would rather follow a path that leads to life, and not some dead end cheap imitation that many are following to destruction. God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. |
AuthorWe are stewards of the mystery of Christ. Ambassadors on His behalf to share the conditions of peace with God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Archives
December 2024
Categories
All
|