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Good day. Today's video Proof of Life is on the topic of study to show yourself approved unto God rightly dividing the word of truth. Proving yourself trustworthy, committed & faithful unto God. Prove, discern, recognize as genuine the Word of God delivered unto you; is it of God or man? Will you be recognized as genuine, one of God's sons or daughters at the judgment seat of Christ? 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 Fiery Trial is on the topic of...Our God is a consuming fire. James 1:2-5 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. 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. (KJV) Psalms 66:10 For thou, O God, hast proved us: thou hast tried us, as silver is tried. (KJV) Malachi 3:2-3 But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' soap: And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness. (KJV) Not all fiery trials come from Satan. As we go on please do keep in mind, that God does not tempt or try us with evil; man is drawn away of his own lust and enticed (James 1:13-15). Think about this, our God is a consuming fire; and there are times in our walk with the Lord that God will try or prove us to bring us to a better place, a more perfect or mature place in Christ his Son. Sometimes God will prune (chasten) us like a branch on the vine, but sometimes an area of our life takes fire to cleanse away the weeds so that it will be good ground for Him to regenerate new growth in that area of our spiritual garden. 1 Corinthians 3:11-13 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; 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. (KJV) The materials that we use, in other words what we put into our relationship with the Lord will be tried; and it will manifest if it can withstand the fiery trial, whether it be of God or a temptation from Satan. Will your faith, your trust in God withstand (endure) or will you wither under trial? Will you trust God, even if you don’t fully understand what He is doing in your life? Remember we will get out what we put into it (2 Corinthians 9:6, Galatian 6:6-7). Would you be willing to give up and walk away from what you treasure on this earth; whether it be man’s wisdom and knowledge you acquired over time, or riches, houses, wives, children, brethren, or your church to follow Christ? Or will you be like the rich young ruler, in Matthew 19:16-22, who when he asked the Lord what he must do to inherit eternal life was told to sell what he had and give to the poor, and take up his cross and follow Him, he went away sorrowful because he had great riches? Paul suffered the loss of all things and chose to count them as dung or refuse that he may win Christ. Philippians 3:7-11 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. 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, 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: That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. (KJV) We (Greg and I) have been through our own wilderness experience these last five years; and suffered the loss of all things which were gain to us, but we also chose to count them as dung that we may win Christ, and be ambassadors for Christ holding forth the word of life in sincerity and in truth. Was our journey always easy? No, we went through the Lord’s furnace of affliction to burn off our old thoughts and ways. It has only been in the last year that the vision the Lord began us on this journey with has been speaking, and our desire is to be able to share it with others so that if the Lord calls them to a better place in their walk, they can run knowing that all things work together for the good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to his purpose. And we can truly say that we are in a better place spiritually, and moving forward to the promised land; eternal life with God our Father and with our Lord Jesus Christ. What are you willing to walk away from or let go of to inherit eternal life? God bless, and may you always being growing and maturing in our Lord Christ Jesus. Amen. 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. Williams New Testament translation of James 1:13-16:
13. No one must say, when he is tempted to do evil, "I have a temptation from God to do evil," for God cannot be tempted to do evil, and He never tempts anyone to do so. 14. But anyone is tempted to do evil when he is allured by his own evil desire and enticed by a bait. 15. Then evil desire conceives and gives birth to sin, and when sin is completed, it brings forth death. 16. You must avoid being misled, my dearly loved brothers. James 1:13-16 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: (14) But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. (15) Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. (16) Do not err, my beloved brethren. (KJV) While mankind over the centuries has tried to blame God for their own shortcomings and faults, even some to the point of claiming God tests His people, the truth be known it is the people that do the testing and put themselves in a bad place. When one goes back to their own spiritual drawing board they will find out that the reason they were drawn away in the first place had nothing to do with God despite many teaching to that effect, thus why we are warned not to err. God does not tempt or test His people with evil, never has and never will because that would make Him a liar. That is why when we read accounts throughout the Word we need to rightly divide the truth and learn from people’s mistakes; not like many who make it look like God made a mistake by tempting people, like Job. Nothing and I mean nothing happens in the realm of God by chance or luck, but it is a sure thing to those that are willing and obedient to His word and what He promised for His people to inherit. Isaiah 59:1-2 Behold, the LORD's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: (2) But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear. (KJV) Do you wonder why people lose confidence in their prayer life, and rather than put their hand to their mouth and listen to the answer some have the nerve to actually blame God for their own shortcomings, or lean to their own understanding like with the book of Job where many claim God randomly picked him out as an example? If there is a fracture in the relationship between man and God, be assured it was not on His end, but rather it happened here first. The Bible is consistent throughout to point out that we serve an infallible God; so if there has been a breach in the Spirit it was because you were inconsistent in your walk and hearing of His word of truth and rightly dividing it. You know it’s not like God has a history of hit or miss, good or bad days; it’s not like He got up this morning on the wrong side of the throne and was moody like we are sometimes. The point is, don’t always try to compare God to man, because man is limited; and so are you if you choose to limit yourself to just the understanding of man and not operating with the mind of Christ that we have access to. 2 Timothy 3:15-17 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. (16) All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: (17) That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. (KJV) You know, if you spent the time in the Word like you should then you wouldn’t be caught up in these false doctrines and limited understanding of childish people who claim to know God. All scripture, all of the Word of God, is for our benefit so that we can mature or grow up and not be tossed to and fro like we were when we were younger. If this scripture is what you are putting into your heart then that is what will be flowing from it; while anything else you allow into the heart is what will be spewing out of it, and so will God spew those that don’t speak His language. So while mankind has come up with many doctrines, many so called faiths, it is up to you personally to know for yourself the doctrine of Christ, which by the way is singular; one Lord, one faith, and only one doctrine our Lord accepts as His. This doctrine will only be found in the Word, your time spent studying for yourself so that you can stand approved before God and able to rightly divide the word of truth. Proverbs 15:28-29 The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things. (29) The LORD is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous. (KJV) If you didn’t take the time to study the Word today, what did you find that was more important? You know, you can go from righteous back to wicked; just a few nasty words you let pour out of your mouth can put you back into a realm separated from God. Thus the reason why we are encouraged to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness so that we can remain in good standing with Him and know that He hears our prayers. Some people think God plays favorites, or only approves of their denomination; but to those who are in Christ, they do not fall for man’s titles and approval, rather they are only concerned with that which is from above, His truth that sets us free. James 4:7-8 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. (8) Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. (KJV) Instead of entertaining the devil we should be resisting Him; which can only be done by remaining steadfast in the faith. If you notice it’s when we draw nigh or close to God that He does the same in return; but it is up to us to be clean before Him, which can only happen by the washing of the living waters of His word. When you decide to purify your heart, being single minded and not double minded, then the two are able to walk together again being in agreement. Isaiah 5:18-21 Woe unto them that draw iniquity with cords of vanity, and sin as it were with a cart rope: (19) That say, Let him make speed, and hasten his work, that we may see it: and let the counsel of the Holy One of Israel draw nigh and come, that we may know it! (20) Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! (21) Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight! (KJV) Where do you stand today, or should I say are you taking a stand today? There are many that call evil good and good evil because they haven’t taken the time to rightly divide the word of truth, which has drawn them away from God instead of closer. Do you know the difference for yourself of what is the doctrine of God, and what is of mankind; have you made it a priority? Are you drawing closer to God, or are you withdrawing from His realm? If you are not sure then it is time to get back to the drawing board. God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. James 1:12-16 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. (13) Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: (14) But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. (15) Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. (16) Do not err, my beloved brethren. (KJV)
How do you endure temptation; do you speak and hold to words of life, or do you blame others, even God? We talked yesterday about a man named Job, and though some claim that God just chose him to teach a lesson to, the hard way I might add, the question is, would that be a God you would want to really serve, or should I say, is that how you want to learn a lesson, having your life basically in shambles? I would say not, because that is not how God operates, especially with His people. However, it is the people that choose to end up on the enemies turf because of fear or doubt, which can result in sin which is unbelief. So before one goes pointing the finger at God and blaming Him for their enticements they allowed into the heart, it is up to us the believers to rightly divide the word of truth so that we can have a spiritual diagnosis for any spiritual situation that comes our way. What fits; what is consistently written throughout the Word that would fit a situation that we may encounter or read about, which applies to God and not man’s lower fallen nature? Proverbs 18:20-21 A man's belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled. (21) Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof. (KJV) Out of our belly or heart should be flowing rivers of living water which will bring life to ourselves as well as to others around us. However, if we have allowed something bitter, even poisonous into the heart, then bitter water will be spewing forth manifesting in death, separation from God and His kingdom. Just a reminder today, that God did not send a temptation our way, especially anything that is evil. So before you blame Him or anyone else you need to realize it’s your words that get you into these situations, and it is your words that will get you out of them as well, especially if they are in line with God’s. Job 3:24-26 For my sighing cometh before I eat, and my roarings are poured out like the waters. (25) For the thing which I greatly feared is come upon me, and that which I was afraid of is come unto me. (26) I was not in safety, neither had I rest, neither was I quiet; yet trouble came. (KJV) Oh but look at what God did to Job in the first 2 chapters, nonsense! Look what Job did to himself, and now take a second look at what is coming out of your mouth, and ask what realm have you put yourself into? We are either with God or against Him. So for those that walk in His light and speak His words, they will have life; while all others that choose a lie, will have death, separation from God and His intended result He had for them. So fast forward and ask yourself, ‘how did Job get out of his ordeal’, well it is quite simple actually. Job 40:1-5 Moreover the LORD answered Job, and said, (2) Shall he that contendeth with the Almighty instruct him? he that reproveth God, let him answer it. (3) Then Job answered the LORD, and said, (4) Behold, I am vile; what shall I answer thee? I will lay mine hand upon my mouth. (5) Once have I spoken; but I will not answer: yea, twice; but I will proceed no further. (KJV) So you’re frustrated with your walk; things seem stale in your life and all this fussing and blaming you have been doing just came back your way, on your doorstep. Nothing in God’s realm happens by chance or luck, but rather all the promises in Him are a done deal to those that hold Him to be true; while anything else will put you back in the realm of the dead, with dead end results. Thus why we are told to be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to wrath, because the wrath of man and those negative words do not work the righteousness of God. How much sillier can people get, to think that God would randomly choose a man like Job and then give him all these bad things to deal with just to teach him a lesson; hey, would that be very comforting to think that God might do that to you also? No, not at all, and not according to His word, which is what we need to be speaking and stay in line with if we wish to avoid these hardships as well. 1 Corinthians 10:1-6 Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; (2) And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; (3) And did all eat the same spiritual meat; (4) And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ. (5) But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness. (6) Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. (KJV) God’s people have suffered hardship throughout the Bible, none of which was God’s intention for them. But He had so much more He would have liked to bless them with, as He does with you. When we read the accounts in the scripture’s, they are there for our benefit to learn from and to rightly divide the word of truth so that we don’t have to make the same mistakes as others; even those who were of God. But how are you ever going to know this unless you take the time to study the Word for yourself and hear God personally so that out of your heart and through your mouth will be rivers of living waters also. While some have even blamed God for Job’s calamities and are probably blaming Him for some of their own, the truth be known, that it is by our words that we are either justified or have entered the realm of condemnation again. So where do you stand today, or should I say are you standing? Or maybe it is time to put your hand to your mouth and stop the flow of bitter waters and allow some living waters to flow through again. Mark 11:23-24 For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. (24) Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. (KJV) If you don’t like what has manifested in your life you might want to ask yourself ‘what is it that I have been speaking into existence, was it words of life or death’? The Lord said you will have whatever you say, which not only includes His realm but that of the enemy also if you put yourself on his turf. The Lord promised He would give us the desires of our heart. Now the question is, will you hold fast that profession of faith without wavering and not give place to the devil, whether in word or in deed? God bless and watch your mouth. Have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. 1 Peter 1:7-9 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: (8) Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: (9) Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. (KJV)
Wasn’t the whole idea for accepting God’s plan of salvation into your life was to make it to the end and receive His eternal reward of inheritance? Having gone through the trial of this life which one can only be an overcomer by faith, it is the salvation of your soul that is of the utmost importance, especially when the day comes that you stand before God and give an account of your life; this life of faith in the message delivered by Christ. Jesus Christ is the first and the last; it was His word of life that brought you into the Kingdom and He will have the last say concerning your entrance into His eternal one. He is the author and finisher of our faith as well, so if you have been resurrected into the realm of the Spirit and are confident that the message you preach and follow came from the Father through the Son, then you will not be ashamed when it is time to be resurrected into His eternal realm forever. You may have entered this race with good intentions, but it is so vital that you continue and endure to the end so that you will be saved and receive the eternal inheritance. While many think all they have to do is answer some alter call to be saved, the truth be known, that is just the beginning; now you need to continue in the faith grounded and settled and don’t be moved away from the only hope of the gospel, which is Jesus Christ and His message of faith to the believers, a faith without which we cannot be pleasing to Him. Matthew 7:21-23 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. (22) Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? (23) And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. (KJV) Do you know what the worst part about reading the above verses is, that the people described were actually believers, those that had a zeal for God but obviously it wasn’t according to His knowledge; God’s people perishing for lack of knowledge. Take note of the fact that we are not just talking about a few here, but verse 22 is quite clear to point out that it is many that end up being deceived and do not receive the reward of inheritance, the salvation of their own souls. Somewhere along the line in their walk they were no longer communicating with the Father, but rather the father of lies who comes to steal the truth, kill the life within them, and then watch their soul eternally destroyed in the lake of fire. Are you totally sure of the message you are hearing today is of God? Does it line up with His word or have you been sidetracked and are now following a different protocol? Are there question marks in your life concerning your walk? When you stand before God someday you will know and not guess you are one of His? Remember the word of God tells us that whatsoever is not of faith is sin, so if it isn’t the Lord directing your steps then you are none of His. Those that wish to enter into the Lord’s eternal inheritance need to let the Lord in their life now, today, so that there will be no doubt or question marks concerning their reward of inheritance. Simply put people, if you don’t let the Lord into your life then He is not going to let you into His either. What rightfully belonged to people who were at one time children of God was stolen from them without them even knowing it, because somewhere along the path of life they started out on they turned and followed a different path that led to destruction. Matthew 7:13-14 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: (14) Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. (KJV) There is only one path that leads to eternal life; and sad to say, only a few who find it. Years ago there was on old song that said ‘there’s a whole lot of people going home’, however the truth be known only a few will actually make it in, while many will be rejected. There is only one path, one Lord, and one faith that lead us unto life; and without this knowledge of who, what, and where this path is for you, you will not receive your eternal reward. Have you ever heard the statement ‘all paths lead to the same place’? Well that’s true, because when it involves any other way into the Kingdom besides the one our Lord said would get you in, then all those other ways are that of a thief and a robber, which is widely known as the path of destruction. Don’t be deceived into thinking that just because you joined some religious organization, or because you tithe twice a week or any other of our own works, you have your ticket stamped. Without faith, as the Bible says the just shall live by faith, without hearing this message on a daily basis then acting on what is heard you will end up eternally on the outside wishing in, knowing what was yours and what you had access to only to let it slip away from your grasp. 1 Corinthians 15:53-57 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. (54) So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. (55) O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? (56) The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. (57) But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (KJV) You know folks, this once saved always saved doctrine just doesn’t fly. Oh it sounds good and sure is an ear tickler which gives many a warm feeling inside, but the truth be known your salvation is based on your ability to hear the message delivered by Christ, then being a doer and not a hearer only unto the end. Your born again experience was just the beginning, now we will see if you will truly allow Jesus Christ to be the author and finisher of your faith so that you can receive your eternal inheritance. Again as we notice in the above verses, that it is not until we are given a new incorruptible body are we then allowed access into God’s kingdom; then and only then will we escape the second death which is eternal separation from the Father. So before you kick back in your easy chair and think you got this thing licked, heed the warnings in the word of God so that you can continue in the love of God and spend your eternity with Him. Revelation 2:11 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death. (KJV) Strong’s definition for overcometh: 3528 nikao (nik-ah'-o); from 3529; to subdue (literally or figuratively): KJV-- conquer, overcome, prevail, get the victory. You know the Lord just didn’t ask us to squeak by or hope we are one of His, but rather we should be an overcomer and walk in victory. It is our faith in what Christ has begun in us and continues to do that gives us this victory and will give us access to His eternal reward so that we can spend eternity doing a victory lap in His kingdom. Don’t be fooled Church, don’t be lulled back into a spiritual sleep and entombed into the realm of the flesh again, but hold fast your profession of faith without wavering, a message coming from the only author who will lead you to victory. Hebrews 10:35-39 Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. (36) For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. (37) For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry. (38) Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. (39) But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul. (KJV) In this fast paced world patience is not something that is often spoke of, let alone put into practice. But by letting patience have its perfect work we can mature in the Lord, lacking nothing. You have been reborn, resurrected to a new life in Christ, which is just the beginning. Continue in the faith, letting the good work that our Lord began in you to continue to the end so that you can receive what is rightfully yours, the salvation of your soul. Romans 6:22 But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. (KJV) My prayer for each and everyone is that the end of this trail here will result in the beginning of their eternal reward with our heavenly Father. God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. |
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