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2 Timothy 4:3-5 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; (4) And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. (5) But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry. (KJV)
Williams New Testament translation of 2Timothy 4:3-5 3. For a time will come when they will not listen to wholesome teaching, but to gratify their own evil desires will surround themselves with teachers who teach to gratify their own evil desires, because their ears are itching so to be tickled, 4. and they will cease to listen to the truth and will turn to listen to myths. 5. But you, on your part, must always keep your head cool, suffer hardship, do your work as a herald of the good news, and so fill your ministry to the brim. Thayer’s definition for ‘sound’: 5198 hugiaino- 1) to be sound, to be well, to be in good health 2) metaphorically: a) used of Christians whose opinions are free from any mixture of error b) used of one who keeps the graces and is strong Rather than turning up the sound, that being the voice of God, many would rather turn down the volume and in essence drown out the source of life. When one looks around especially in this country, we see so many that are not in good health, but rather they are out of shape and weak. Spiritually the same holds true; though the spirit is willing it’s the flesh that is weak and so are those that choose to stay in that realm rather than stepping out into the realm where our Lord operates, that being the spiritual one. Oh but it is the fastest growing church in the area because they have learned how to reach out to those in the community and draw them in. Instead of drawing the people closer to God which can only be done with truth, many use gimmicks, worldly methods with worldly preachers who tell people what they want to hear and not what they truly need to hear. Case in point; though our Lord had a following for a season, when it came down to dieing to self and dealing with sound doctrine many chose a different path. Titus 2:6-8 Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded. (7) In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, (8) Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you. (KJV) You will not and cannot have sound speech unless you are giving ear to sound doctrine, which can only come from the source Himself. With what measure you mete or allow, is what is measured back your way; so the more you turn up the volume, that being your spiritual ears, the stronger you will become in the Lord and in the power of His might. Thus the term ‘young men’; not a child or childish people who listen to childish doctrine because it makes them feel good. You know, you can eat a lot of candy and get a sugar rush that feels good, like a child who isn’t concerned about their health or the consequences of their actions, but if one desires to mature and grow up in the Lord it will take more of the meat of the word of God in order to accomplish this. Sound doctrine is not always fun to hear, or even easy to endure at times, but afterwards it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those that keep their spiritual senses exercised to discern between good and evil. You wonder why your body is out of shape and you are weak? It’s because you did what you wanted to and not what you needed in order to keep it maintained. You wonder why you are weak and unable to stand spiritually? Well, it’s because rather than give ear to sound doctrine you chose someone that would tickle your ears rather than build you up. John 6:63-66 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. (64) But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him. (65) And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father. (66) From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. (KJV) You know, our Lord Himself delivered sound doctrine, pointing the people to the spiritual realm and away from the flesh and its fallen nature. I know of no one that delivered a more sound doctrine, as well as demonstrating what it is truly like to walk the walk; and yet with that in mind it says many went back and walked no more with Him. Just where do you think the many went? Well, there were plenty of ear tickling people pleasers back then as there are today; so rather than continue in their search for truth they chose a different path, you know that easy fun one where all the people are hanging out. Even today when someone holds fast to sound doctrine and denounces things that are unhealthy (like we spoke about yesterday; how people think it is ok to live together before marriage), or doesn’t agree with homosexuality or alternative lifestyles as some put it (which the only alternative they will end up with is hell instead of heaven because they held to the flesh which is weak and not to the Spirit which would make them strong and able to overcome what God says is an abomination), that which their life ministers or they preach is termed old fashioned or out of touch. 2 Timothy 1:7-8 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. (8) Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; (KJV) You are not going to have a sound mind unless you give ear to sound doctrine. That spirit of fear that is tormenting you did not come from God, but obviously the enemy was given a clear shot at the heart that should have been protected by the shield of faith; you know, the one that is established by hearing, hearing the word of God and not man’s versions. You know that fun guy that tickled your ear last Sunday and told you everything you wanted to hear, he won’t be around on Monday when it comes time to take a stand for the Lord and the afflictions that come with being one of His. Kind of like that slick used car salesman that gave you a line about the car he just sold you the other day, you know, the one that would now be described as a lemon. Well that guy is long gone, laughing all the way to the bank, standing in line right behind the preacher that sold you a lemon of a doctrine also. 2 Timothy 1:13-14 Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. (14) That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us. (KJV) The spirit is willing, the flesh is weak and so are those that don’t get built up in the word of God and stay built up. A perfect mature love will cast out all fear, because you are more willing to give ear to the Holy Ghost, looking within to find that strength and peace. Turn up the sound, because the more you give ear and practice sound doctrine the more sound you will be in your walk. God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. James 1:17-18 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. (18) Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures. (KJV)
When God sends something our way it’s not only good but it is perfect, complete, supplying all our need, spirit, soul, and body. When God so loved the world seeing how mankind had fallen, He sent His Son on our behalf so that the fellowship with Him could be restored and we could be a kind of firstfruits or one of His offspring, adopted into the heavenly family in Christ. Psalms 107:20-21 He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions. (21) Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! (KJV) When you pray to your Father in heaven do you expect a complete answer and manifestation of that request you made, or do you expect bits and pieces, a partial answer to your request? In other words, with all that God has sent our way for our benefit, how much is being sent back His way in the form of praise and thanksgiving, presenting yourself to Him as a living sacrifice, thanking Him for what He has done on our behalf and not a what have you done for me lately attitude? Someday when you return to Sender and have to stand before your heavenly Father will you be able to give a complete answer to what you did with His plan of salvation, or will you be speechless and unable to give a full account of the gift of life that was given on our behalf? Ephesians 4:11-15 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; (12) For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: (13) Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: (14) That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; (15) But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: (KJV) Williams New Testament translation for Ephesians 4:11-15 11. And He has given some men to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, some to be pastors and teachers, 12. for the immediate equipment of God's people for the work of service, for the ultimate building up of the body of Christ, 13. until we all attain to unity in faith and to perfect knowledge of the Son of God, namely, to a mature manhood and to a perfect measure of Christ's moral stature; 14. so that we may not be babies any longer, or like sailors tossed about and driven around by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men through their cunning in inventing new methods of error. 15. But, on the other hand, we shall go on holding to the truth and in love growing up into perfect union with Him, that is, Christ Himself who is the Head. You know, with all that God has done and provided for us is there any excuse why there are so many that rather than grow and mature in the Lord, which is what perfecting is referring to, we still see many babies who are being spoon fed and still on the milk of the Word. Know this also, that as long as there is still a body of Christ then there are still apostles and prophets, they didn’t die out with the early Church; people, that is just childish doctrine. If you truly love the Lord and made pleasing Him a priority in your life then you would take the time to read His word and rightly divide the doctrine of Christ and not be so caught up in a bunch of man’s fairy tales and childish lies and deceptions. If you truly desire to grow up and mature in the Lord then quit emulating man and go right to the source. You know, by following some man or imitating some preacher you think is a godly man you limit and stunt your own growth because this man you are following is human and limited, whereas going to God through Christ you are able to tap into an unlimited treasure of wisdom and knowledge, having the mind of Christ yourself. Romans 6:20-23 For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness. (21) What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death. (22) But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. (23) For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (KJV) What have you done with the gift of God, and what is the first fruit you plan on bringing to His throne someday; will it be one that is spiritual, or will it be rotten fruit that you are ashamed of? If someone in your family or anyone else that was close to you saw that you were starving and your family was in need of food, only to find out later that the gift they provided to feed your family was never used but rather discarded and rotten, how would that make them feel? Or what if you gave someone close to you a gift, something that was vital, even lifesaving, only to find out it was not put to use but discarded, you probably would not be jumping for joy either. So today, have you done all to stand, standing on the foundation God has provided for you, Jesus Christ being the only foundation one can build firmly on, or have you forsaken the gift of life and exchanged it for a cheap knockoff imitation? Luke 8:14-15 And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection. (15) But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience. (KJV) With all that our heavenly Father has sent our way and desires to send for our benefit, what are you sending in return? You wouldn’t offer someone rotten fruit, or fruit that hasn’t ripened yet, but rather something that was fit and ready. The question today is, when you return to Sender will you be able to bring something to His table that is good and perfect; you know, like the same measure that was measured your way? God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Luke 18:18-19 And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? (19) And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is good, save one, that is, God. (KJV)
Williams New Testament translation of Luke 18:18-19 18. Then a certain member of the council asked Him, "Good Teacher, what must I do to get possession of eternal life?" 19. Jesus said to him, "Why do you call me perfectly good? No one is perfectly good but God Himself. Why does mankind keep trying to make God in man’s image and likeness, and not the other way around; you know, the way God said He made it? You know, this man Jesus of Nazareth didn’t say he was God because that would have made him a liar now wouldn’t it? In fact he was quite explicit and plain in his speech to point out that he wasn’t God, but that he was here to point people to a realm where God operates, that being the spiritual one. Today we see so many people put on pedestals, placing themselves in positions of authority especially in the Church or what man calls a church, pointing people to their works instead of the completed work God had His Son do on our behalf. Oh you might have gotten saved at some organization or building, but keep in mind it was the word of God that brought forth this new life and not the person that was speaking on His behalf, because remember, God has spoken to people in diverse manners; one time through an ass so that someone wouldn’t make himself into one. Go to the source people, give credit where credit is due, that being to our Father in heaven and not to any man on this earth who claims special privileges because they may have spoke His word, or make claims of all the wonderful works they think they are doing on His behalf. John 14:28-29 Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I. (29) And now I have told you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye might believe. (KJV) But the preacher last night said that Jesus was God, yet when I read what the Bible says it tells me something different. Get used to it folks, because the deeper you get into the word of truth the more complicated you see how mankind has made it, and how backwards the order is also according to man’s carnal reasoning. Jesus was a man, who just like you and I had to rely on the leading of the Holy Spirit in order for him to inherit eternal life. He was a man that was tempted in all manner as we are, yet chose obedience over sin, even to the point of the cross. A man that was conceived by the Holy Spirit, a pure blood line so that the last man Adam could be restored to fellowship with the Father just like the first man Adam was before the fall. Keep in mind people, that this Jesus of Nazareth was a man, a vessel that housed the Holy Spirit and set the example for us to follow, pointing people to the Father and His divine nature, and not to any man and his fallen one. Jude 1:16-19 These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men's persons in admiration because of advantage. (17) But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; (18) How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts. (19) These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit. (KJV) The whole point today is to keep in mind that when all is said and done, it is your heavenly Father that will have the last say so concerning your entrance into His eternal kingdom, not some loud mouth who keeps boasting and pointing people to their own works and creations. Bottom line, yes there may be people that have spoken words that brought life to your spirit, but remember it is God’s word that brought it, not mans’. So learn to rightly divide the difference so that you can go directly to the source of the river of life. These people that are being spoken of in the book of Jude are not those that deny God, well at least not in word, but rather those that claim to be of God but in works deny Him, pointing the people more toward their creations and not the new one that God began within you. Don’t put people on pedestals because they don’t belong there; all mankind, no matter who or what they claim to be; this is one bad decision, one temptation away from falling from grace into sin, no matter how strong or bullet proof they claim they are. Rightly divide the word of truth, learn to separate soul from spirit; in other words what is of God and what is of man. Many today that stand in the pulpits claiming to be working and speaking on His behalf are more self serving than God serving, pointing people to other people rather than pointing them in the direction of the Spirit. In fact many today still point and put most of their emphasis on a man named Jesus, rather than a man named Jesus Christ, who is seated at the right hand of the Father working as a mediator on our behalf. Knowing the difference between that which is of the flesh and that which is Spirit is vital in order for you to come to a clear understanding of God’s plan of salvation and how it truly operates; or as it is described in the Bible, a mystery. Numbers 23:19 God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good? (KJV) You know, once again God reminds us that He is not a man, nor is He the son of man, yet so many still try to claim Jesus was God despite what the word of God is clearly saying. The point is that we are the ones that were made in the image and likeness of God, not the other way around as so many think or try to dictate to God. The more you realize and allow God to be your one true source for strength and life, the less likely you will fall for mankind’s versions of who they think God is, based on their limited carnal thinking and not the unlimited mind of Christ that is available. So get rid of the pedestals people, because the higher you put someone on them and the higher they choose to climb them, the farther and harder the fall will be when reality hits you and them in the form of truth. Psalms 146:3-6 Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help. (4) His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish. (5) Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the LORD his God: (6) Which made heaven, and earth, the sea, and all that therein is: which keepeth truth for ever: (KJV) God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. 1 Corinthians 2:11-12 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. (12) Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. (KJV)
Why do so many keep going to man to find peace when it is not found in the realm of the flesh? God has poured out His spirit upon all flesh and provided mankind with a peaceable witness to truth so that we could rely more on His spiritual inward counsel and less on the outward limited one of mankind and his limited thinking. The things of God are given to us freely, yes freely, without charge, so put away your visa card and grab your Bible and let His Spirit bear witness with your spirit and give you an accurate account of salvation. If you desire to find peace, a true eternal one, then you need to go above and beyond this fallen realm to find it; then grab hold of it and never let go or allow the enemy to talk you out of it. I have heard so many versions and perversions of the Gospel growing up, doctrines that raised more questions and confusion than answers. It was only spending time in the word of God on a daily basis and praying to God through Jesus Christ that I was able to find peace and comfort, letting the truth set me free from fear and doubt. Which spirit is bearing witness with your spirit today; is it the Holy Spirit which is able to give an accurate account of heavenly things, or are you limiting yourself to mankind and his fallen carnal understanding which can never give an accurate account to the truth? Wonder why you don’t have total peace in your life? Simple, because you haven’t heard the total answer that will replace confusion with peace. John 14:23-27 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. (24) He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me. (25) These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you. (26) But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. (27) Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. (KJV) Despite much opposition to what was being spoken by our Lord, He only spoke the words of His Father, words that are spirit and they are life to the hearer. The Comforter is there to bring you comfort, despite what is taking place in the outward realm all around you and those that hold man to be true and consider God the liar. You may attend a fellowship and hear messages on a daily basis, but in the end it is only the Holy Spirit that can truly teach you the things of God and bring to remembrance what God’s true intention of His word is, while anything less will leave you in doubt. The Holy Spirit gives us an eyewitness accurate account to what is taking place in the realm of the Spirit, one that will hold up in God’s court as evidence based on fact. Mankind and his carnal thinking are only able to give an obscured, partial, inaccurate account of what they think took place and how God’s plan of salvation truly operates. If you desire to know all things then you will need to go to the source that knows all things, not just carnal but spiritual as well if you truly desire to have peace in your life and maintain it also. Hebrews 10:14-17 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. (15) Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before, (16) This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; (17) And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. (KJV) Court is now in session, your faith is on trial, God has sent a witness on your behalf so that you can be freed and walk in the liberty of Christ. While the enemy is accusing and pointing the finger at God’s people, slinging mud to see if it sticks; God has provided the Comforter so that you can stand up and say, I object to this line of questioning which is based on a lie and not on truth. When the enemy approaches you, are you prepared to cross examine and resist in the faith, or are you guilty as charged because you have rejected God’s counsel? When looking for truth, are you more apt to believe someone who was actually there and able to give an accurate eyewitness account; when your life is truly at stake are you going to give credence to someone who thinks they know but can’t actually say for sure? Better yet, the verdict is already in and God’s people have already been proven innocent, now the question is will you stay in His court, or will you jump bail? Hebrews 12:1 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, (KJV) Williams New Testament translation Hebrews 12:1 1. Therefore, as we have so vast a crowd of spectators in the grandstands, let us throw off every impediment and the sin that easily entangles our feet, and run with endurance the race for which we are entered, What’s the first thing lawyers do when preparing for a case? They go out and look for credible eyewitnesses that can give an accurate account of what took place. What’s the first thing you should be doing on a daily basis in order to maintain innocence with God? Seek out His truth in His word by those that were inspired by His Spirit to give us an accurate account of salvation. This book called the Bible is full of those that allowed the Comforter to speak through them and deliver a message of truth that sets us free and keeps us free from sin (which simply put is a result of unbelief). Are you able to parade a group of spiritual witnesses if needed so that you can maintain peace despite what the enemy is accusing you of, or will you be handcuffed and brought back into the bondage of sin again? Only those that know the truth can be set free, and only a truthful witness will provide that liberty, while anything less will have one stuck in a dark cell located in the fallen realm of mankind. I John 5:9-10 If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son. (10) He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son. (KJV) All of my life growing up I received the witness of man, which was based on what was pleasing to mankind and his carnal nature, a witness that never brought peace. Once I allowed the Lord into my life and chose to serve Him I found the only peace that satisfies, and eliminated all the doubt and fear that I had in the unstable realm of man. Those that reject the witness of God are calling Him a liar, and choose to look for peace in a realm our Lord said it didn’t exist in. The peace of God is rock solid because it is founded on the foundation of God, Jesus Christ being the cornerstone of your salvation. The peace of this world and the cheap imitation of man is based on an unstable foundation, one that changes and fluctuates on a daily basis. John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. (KJV) God bless and go in peace. Have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Matthew 23:25-28 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess. (26) Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also. (27) Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness. (28) Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity. (KJV)
What if you woke up one day and asked yourself honestly, are all these big religious groups all they say they are, or is it more of a show than reality? What if you honestly looked in the mirror and asked yourself, ‘am I really where God wants me to be in my walk and cleansed in His sight, or am I just blindly, ritually following some big name organization because people say it is the right thing to do?’ What if I was more concerned with the inward than the outward, and the blessings I am now partaking of are more spiritual in nature and not limited to just the outward manifestation or what appears to look good? Ephesians 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: (KJV) What if I realized that a church is not just a building or some big name organization, but that I am the Church, the temple of the living God, and that I can walk with the Lord and let His word be my guide and not some big name hot shot preacher who is more concerned with the love of money than the love of God? 2 Corinthians 6:16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. (KJV) What if there was something called living waters, something that would cleanse me from the inside, would that be of more value than some old ceremonial washing and other dead end carnal ordinances? John 15:3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. (KJV) What if I could live my life free from guilt or sorrow, is this something that is available today, right now? Ezekiel 36:25-27 Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. (26) A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. (27) And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them. (KJV) What if the majority of people don’t believe in the simple truth of God’s word but rather make it more complicated than it really is; would I be wrong for not following the crowd? Romans 3:3-4 For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect? (4) God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged. (KJV) What if I am not just talking about a few though, but rather a majority of people who don’t believe, does that make me weird or as some say self righteous? I John 5:19-20 And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness. (20) And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life. (KJV) What if I am not as popular as before my conversion in Christ, does that make me wrong if I don’t fit in with the old crowd or even my family? Matthew 10:34-37 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. (35) For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. (36) And a man's foes shall be they of his own household. (37) He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. (KJV) What if the Lord is asking me to move on and is separating me from certain situations, or certain people that are no longer healthy and building me up, would that be something He would actually be asking of me? 2 Corinthians 6:14-18 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? (15) And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? (16) And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. (17) Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, (18) And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. (KJV) What if every time a question came up, or a situation arose in my walk, that I could go to the word of God and find the answer; would I take the time to do it, or would I keep looking in the carnal realm for a spiritual answer? 2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (KJV) What if you knew the word of God, and were able to respond with the word every time the enemy would come against you, who would that resemble? Matthew 4:3-4 And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. (4) But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. (KJV) Instead of what if, how about what is? God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. John 3:3-7 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. (4) Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? (5) Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. (6) That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. (7) Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. (KJV)
Light the candles, break out the cake, let’s all gather around and celebrate an occasion that’s only half right and only half the equation, that being the physical birth into the realm of the flesh. While it is a blessing to be born into this realm healthy, it is the second birth or rebirth that is so much more vital yet so overlooked. Now that you have arrived and have been a part of this physical realm, unless you are reborn into the realm of the Spirit you cannot see or give an accurate account of what is happening in that realm. Happiness is an emotion, one based on happenings, while the joy of the Lord is our strength, one that will only be found in the realm of the Spirit. Once one is born again, which the Bible says all heaven rejoices when one sinner repents, talk about a party with your spiritual candle being lit so that you can see the path of life and walk in the love, joy, and peace of God, as well as receiving the gift of life which is eternal. With that in mind which realm are you operating in today and which birth has priority in your life, the physical or the spiritual? 1 Corinthians 2:9-12 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. (10) But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. (11) For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. (12) Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. (KJV) The Lord has set a table for you and provided a spiritual meal as well to celebrate your new birth into the realm of the Spirit. Keep in mind though, that this only takes place in the realm of the Spirit, a realm our Lord operates in and desires for you too as well. Unless you are able to see clearly for yourself the things of God, how could you ever give an accurate account of what is taking place, and what God has done to provide salvation and a new birth for you? While many are so caught up with physical traditions and doctrines of man, being half right does not make you all right, but rather leaves you on the outside trying to see through a veil. Just like these people that get saved and then think it is their duty to witness to the cults, or what they perceive as cults, by reading other peoples scripts on how to handle these situations. Talk about dumb and dumber; unless you can see and know for yourself what the word of God truly says and means you have no reason engaging in these endless strivings and contentions that pull you down rather than build you up. Just like when you were born and had parents that celebrated your arrival into this realm, you have a spiritual Father in heaven that wishes to give you of His kingdom by opening your eyes to His truth so that you can walk in the liberty of Christ. So while many observe days, and months, times and seasons, some in the form of birthdays, keep in mind that there needs to be a rebirth day if one really wishes to have something to celebrate. And you parents that are quick to run out and buy gifts to please the child, have you given them the greatest gift and presented them with the eternal gift of life available in Christ, or are you just focusing on temporal things that never last? Every year when a certain date comes along you are quick to remind, and I am sure you are reminded by the child that their birthday is soon, but are you as quick to remind them as well as yourself how important it is that they partake of the new birth in order to receive the gift of life? Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (KJV) You know these children you claim to love and want nothing but the best for them, are you showing them the things of God and the importance of His gift, or are you more concerned with putting on a good party? As a parent you warn your child of the many dangers in the physical realm, but do you teach them the consequences of the spiritual one, you know that realm that lasts for eternity and not this temporal one? Yet with this in mind, if I was to ask you honestly which one gets the most attention I would be willing to say that most of the focus was on cake and ice cream, and not spirit and life. Next time you decide to gather around and start singing happy birthday ask yourself if there will really be a celebration of birth, a rebirth into the realm of God to see all that He has provided for His people. The gift you give and focus your attention on, is it really the gift of God which leads us to eternal life, or is it on the temporal, keeping the attention and focus limited to the carnal fallen realm of mankind? 1 Peter 1:22-25 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently: (23) Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. (24) For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: (25) But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you. (KJV) With our lives being described in the book of James as being a mist or a vapor that appears for a short time then vanishes, as well as a flower that blossoms for a short time and then withers way, which realm are you looking at today to keep yourself pure? Again we see the word purified, which refers to being free from carnality, believing the pure word of God which allows us to see His true meaning and intent for our lives. With a life in the flesh so short lived and yet so useless in its way of thinking, why do so many still point more to the physical realm than the spiritual? You see for yourself how in order to be purified it takes living spiritual waters to cleanse the soul and keep it pure from manmade additives and doctrines. So with this in mind, next time certain dates come along and you are reminded of certain births, which one will you be pointing yourself as well as others to; something temporal or eternal? God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Mark 11:15-17 And they come to Jerusalem: and Jesus went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves; (16) And would not suffer that any man should carry any vessel through the temple. (17) And he taught, saying unto them, Is it not written, My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer? but ye have made it a den of thieves. (KJV)
What kind of shape is your house in today, you know that house you invited our Lord to come in to and dwell in? Are you in dire need of some housecleaning because your priorities are backwards? A place you invited our Lord into is now overcrowded with thieves because what you claimed was His is now being occupied with someone stealing rather than giving life to your house, a house you told the Lord He could occupy. Once you have given your life to the Lord and He turns your way of thinking upside down and overthrows the influence the enemy had on you it is important that you stay alert and on guard, letting the peace of God guard or keep your heart so that nothing unhealthy enters back into your temple, which is now the temple of our Lord. Instead of letting your house be a communication center, one where the Lord communicates His message to you personally and then you are able to deliver it in the way He intended (which is what prayer means), you have made it a den of thieves, robbing you of the opportunity to hear the message being delivered by Christ. We have many today that have been called by God and let Him into their temples for a season only to allow the devil to set up shop again and rob them of the truth, the truth that sets and keeps them free. 2 Corinthians 10:3-6 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (4) (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) (5) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; (6) And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled. (KJV) Now when we look at these scriptures we need to see the spiritual meaning of them, knowing that we are not fighting a carnal battle. Similar to watching many of these TV ministries where their focus is clearly set on the root of all evil, that being their love of money and not a love for the Lord or His people. So what we see that has transpired in the outward was a direct result of what has taken place in the inward part of their heart. We see clearly how the Lord set an example of how His temple is to be kept in order and clean, by casting down those things that exalt and try to rise above the knowledge of God, making carnal things seem to be more important than spiritual things. Once your temple has been taken over and occupied by our Lord and put in order it is vital that you are alert, casting down and overthrowing any imagination that is contrary to what our Lord intended, bringing every thought to the obedience of Christ. Just like with people that are overweight, it’s not like they went to bed fit and trim one night, and then woke up the next morning out of shape, but rather little by little ever so slightly things were added on because one was not watching their intake. When one does get their temple in order and wishes to maintain it, then it takes a steady diet as well as exercise to keep your spiritual senses exercised so that you can tell the difference between good and evil, things that are healthy and things that are junk food. 2 Corinthians 10:6 [When your obedience is fulfilled] Doddridge renders this: "now your obedience is fulfilled, and the sounder part of your church restored to due order and submission." The idea seems to be, that Paul was ready to inflict discipline when the church had showed a readiness to obey his laws, and to do its own duty-- delicately intimating that the reason why it was not done was the lack of entire promptness in the church itself, and that it could not be done on any offender as long as the church itself was not prepared to sustain him. The church was to discountenance the enemies of the Redeemer; to show an entire readiness to sustain the apostle, and to unite with him in the effort to maintain the discipline of Christ's house. (from Barnes' Notes) The Lord is in a readiness to show you the way of escape from this present evil world, when you are willing to do it His way. How long will you halt between two opinions, or in others words how long will you be double minded; instead of letting go of the tables and all the junk you are trying to peddle as being the Lord’s you still hang onto your own thoughts and ideas of how His church should be run. The Lord is ready to move you forward in your walk so that you can grow up and mature in the things of Christ once you are willing to let go of your childish carnal ways, things that man says is highly esteemed yet in reality is an abomination in our Lord’s sight. So who is truly in charge of your house today; is it our Lord, or have you invited a thief back in with seven other colleagues of his that are more wicked and nasty, making you worse off than you were in the beginning? Are you willing to allow the Lord to bring the correction to your life so that you can continue in the faith, or are you still holding back and letting the thief set up shop again, robbing you of the spiritual blessings the Lord has for His people? Hebrews 12:7-11 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? (8) But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. (9) Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? (10) For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. (11) Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby. (KJV) You know, the Lord doesn’t chasten us or bring the correction because He hates us; rather it is so that we can make the proper adjustment in our walk, and that we can continue partaking of the peaceable fruit of the Spirit. So if the Lord is doing some house cleaning in your life, instead of looking at what you are being asked to let go of or discard, look forward to what it is being replaced with, a deeper love and commitment with Him. So today, if the Lord is overturning and changing something in your walk it is so that you don’t end up shortchanged in the things of the Spirit which allows you to receive your full reward, of which God is a rewarder of those that diligently seek Him. 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)
Stop and think for a moment where the head is located on the body? Isn’t it interesting that it is located at the top, and not say the foot area, or the tail section. By putting the Head in its proper place it gives one a better line of sight, a much better viewpoint to see the path in front of them. As a hunter in the past I would walk through a valley or coulee as they are referred to in Montana, and would be limited to what I could see. However, if I was to climb to the top I would get the total viewpoint and know what was there. You have access to the total picture, a vantage point from above and not below so that spiritually you can see and understand the total picture of God’s plan of salvation and how to walk in it. Simply put, if you wish to get ahead and move forward in your walk with the Lord then you need to go to the Head and hear the message He has for you personally so that you can walk the path He designated for you before the foundation of the world. Ephesians 3:17-20 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, (18) May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; (19) And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. (20) Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, (KJV) Do you know why Christ is able to do above and beyond what we could ever ask or think of? Because that is the realm He operates in, above and beyond the fallen realm of man, one so much higher and greater than our carnal minds could ever comprehend. Are you operating in His realm today and tapping into the well of life, a dayspring of living waters so that you can get results in your walk above and beyond what you thought of? I know some of you are thinking “yeah right” not much is happening in my life, why don’t I get these results? Well it starts with verse 17, Christ dwelling in the heart by faith, not your head. Have you taken the time to renew your mind today, letting the message of Christ take hold in you, or were you to busy with something else that has taken hold of you and what you claimed was a total commitment to our Lord? Were you still long enough to know that He is God, letting patience have its perfect work, or after you made your request to God through Jesus Christ you went out chasing the answer instead of letting it overtake you? The only way He can do above and beyond all that we could ask or think is if we hold the Head to be true above and beyond all the lies and doctrines of a fallen mankind. Again, where your treasure truly is there your heart will be also. So if you desire something better in your life then you need to look above and not below to get those results. Deuteronomy 28:12 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. (KJV) When you see words like treasure or rain, do you see the spiritual implications which go above man’s thinking, or are you like so many that limit God and His blessings to just the carnal realm? What we see in the outward realm mirrors, or reflects the spiritual one. So the more one trains themselves with this thinking the more one is able to see the total picture, like getting the view from above; above and beyond all that we could ever ask or think of. Man’s thinking is limited and so are his expectations; while the Lord’s people are renewing their mind on a daily basis and able to see into an unlimited realm where the word impossible is no longer a part of their vocabulary. A former life stuck in the realm of the flesh and limited by words like ‘I can’t’ as well as endless excuses and finger pointing, is now replaced with an I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. A life of so close and yet so far is replaced by a new life of victory, because for once in your life you are able to finish and bring to perfection things you started and were never able to accomplish in your past. As a Christian, a Christ like person, you need to continue to think and expect to be a winner in all things, as our Lord promised we are more than conquerors, but that only works through Him who loved us, that being Jesus Christ our one mediator that gives us access into this realm above. Isaiah 55:7-9 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. (8) For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. (9) For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. (KJV) Oh that stinking thinking of ours at times! We start letting the mind drift off to the valley of the shadow of death, then the next thing you know we are speaking all these negative words, words which our Lord said should be spirit and life not carnal and strife. The Bible says we shall have whatever we say; then you wonder why you don’t see these results that our Lord said He was able to do which is so much more above and beyond what we could have ever asked or thought of? You want results in your life that are complete; then start thinking in that realm and speak the words that will bring life and not more strife. Words that should be opening the windows of heaven are now opening the floodgates of the enemy to come in and drown people in destruction and despair. Come on people, get out of this muck and get up to the higher ground, and replace those thoughts of doubt and fear with truth, a truth that will set you free and allow you to partake of what the Head has for you and not what is coming out of the tail end. Isaiah 55:10-13 For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: (11) So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. (12) For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. (13) Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree: and it shall be to the LORD for a name, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off. (KJV) Without rain and snow there would be drought, dry conditions, which are ripe for wildfires. Spiritually, God has opened the windows of heaven and is raining living waters on His people; the question is, ‘are you partaking of it, or has your field dried up’? Are you going out today with the joy of the Lord letting His peace rule in your life, or has doubt and confusion crept in? What does your field truly look like; is it cultivated and the weeds pulled, or is it a breeding ground of worthless weeds that look like plants? With all that is available in Christ; with all the promises we have in Him; Church, don’t settle for anything less than what He intended for you, a complete and total victory in all things, not just some things or sometimes, but always expecting the best because you truly serve the best who truly has your best interest in heart. 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. |
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