Seeking the Presence of the LORD?

Paula White Exposed [video]

THAT’s My King! Pastor Lockridge [video]

Powerful Prayers from Children-This Will Shake You [video]

The Fear of the LORD is to Hate Evil: Pride, and Arrogancy #shorts [video]

Soaking, Witchcraft, and the Manifest Presence of God

God wants His people to be full of His Holy Spirit, His bless-ed divine presence and yet, how are we going about seeing this manifest in our lives?

YOU can cry out till you’re blue in the face and God will not anoint your filthy heart! A devil might but not the HOLY Spirit of God! Repentance is what God commands of you (Ezekiel 18:30; Hosea 14:1-2; Acts 3:19; 17:30-31, etc.).

WHO does God exclusively fill with His presence and blessings? Jesus told us that only those who humbly and obediently seek His face, according to His Word, “shall be filled.”

“Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.” Matthew 5:6

The Holy Ghost of God fills and manifests Himself to those who OBEY JESUS and not because we gather in a room and seek to conjure Him up, asking Him to “fall upon us.” Witchcraft. Isn’t that the “strange fire,” the witchcraft we see in the false prophets on Mount Carmel who cried out in vain for fire to fall from Heaven? (See Leviticus 10:1-2; 1 Kings 18.) Jesus told us to lay down our lives, to repent, to deny self, take up the cross and follow Him. The HOLY Spirit of God doesn’t fall upon dirty hearts but rather anoints, and fills obedient servants! (Read John 14:21-23.) Pour prayerfully over the words of Jesus recorded in John chapters 14-15 and let’s cease the frivolity and rebellion and simply do things GOD’s way. Charismatic witchcraft busted and exposed! Repent now and cry out to God to clean your heart to the core, to deeply instill in you the holy fear of the LORD, and to make your conscience ultra sensitive! (Psalms 51; 139:23-24, etc.)

“Overcome in Your presence” and language like this flood the music and messages of the modern church world. And, so, we have a generation of “prophetic” counterfeits who are waiting around for God to do something. He won’t because they ask “amiss” or with the wrong motive, while in disobedience to what He already stated in His Word, the “MORE sure word of prophecy” (2 Peter 1:16-21).

“Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. 3 Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.” James 4:2-3

Jesus tells us how God works and it’s on record in John 14:21, 23. He and the Father abide with and manifest themselves to those who obey Him… not those who have a mere form of godliness as they seek the LORD to come upon them in a special way while they are not obeying Him. Counterfeits.

ATTN: This post is not from a cessationist dupe! Pentecost is real and an essential part of New Testament Christianity…. yet not the witchcraft of the charismatic, Bethel cult…. We are in deep need of true repentance – the denial of self, dying to self, the cross – the crucified life, brokenness, holiness, and the holy fear of God….. you are never going to hear these things, the essential cross, in the NAR cult.

Satanic wolf Rodney Howard Browne states:

“I’d rather be in a church where the devil and the flesh are manifesting than in a church where nothing is happening because people are too afraid to manifest anything… and if a devil manifests, don’t worry about that either. Rejoice because at least something is happening.”

IF you are not connecting to Jesus on HIS terms, the WORD and obedience to Him, and you think you are flourishing spiritually because you believe you found a “good church,” you are being deceived! 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12 is transpiring in the lives of many who swear they are right with God. Beware.

JESUS told no one to “go find a good church” but rather to repent, to seek His holy face, to obey Him, to take up the cross daily, and to follow HIM!!!! HIM!

MANY who believe they’ve found “a good church” are being poisoned by that “church.” HAVE you walked into a trap that you erroneously believe is a treasure?

It’s a bless-ed desire to want more of the LORD in our lives! Yet, we must ask how God prescribes that this happens.

SO very many of the disobedient cry out for the glory, the presence of the Almighty Holy Ghost to fall on them in their rebellion. Not going to happen. Jesus says: Repent, lay down your life, take up the daily cross, and follow Him (Luke 9:23-24; John 14:21-23; 15:1-7). Only then will He raise you upward to give HIM glory and not you (1 Corinthians 1:29-31). There’s a biblical prescription for walking in the blessing of God’s Holy Ghost and it doesn’t include living a carnal life and then gathering with others and asking God to anoint your evil heart with His HOLY Spirit. That’s not what Scripture teaches.

Authentic Pentecost! Yes, we certainly do need to be initially baptized with the Holy Ghost and refilled daily. For the record: By the grace of Christ alone, He saved and filled with His Holy Ghost this once wretched man. This disciple is a full Gospel believer by Jesus’ grace and yet authentic Pentecost and not the false charismatic or NAR cults which are a demonic mockery and counterfeit.

If you want the presence of God in your life, simply live obediently to Him (John 15). There are no shortcuts.

To hear the voice of God, simply read HIS Word – the Bible (KJB). So many today in the false flake “prophetic” movement talk about “hearing the voice of God” repeatedly and yet the WORD is never mentioned! Delusion! Run! Prophetic or Pathetic?

The point of this message is not to deny that every disciple of Jesus is to be filled with the Holy Ghost but rather to establish the whole truth, expose the counterfeits of Satan.

Seeking His Presence? Beware of the many methods created and cloaked as Christian which are nothing more than an attempt to conjure up God’s presence out of a self-serving agenda. Contemplative prayer and soaking come to mind as Satan’s counterfeits. Soaking: Is It Biblical?

ARE you seeking to experience God OR to KNOW HIM? (John 17:3)

“People want a word from God instead of the Word OF God.” Warren Smith

“SOAKING” IS SIN. Repent sinner! There is no such thing as “soaking” in God’s Word as it’s defined today by the witchcraft NAR (New Apostolic Reformation) cult!

Simply put, contemplative prayer or centering prayer, is a way of praying that is not according to the biblical prescription. Contemplative prayer, spiritual formation, and soakers are simply rebels who refuse to obey Jesus so they want Jesus to just continue to dump His Holy Spirit on their rebellious hearts.

JESUS told you to die, not to run around seeking His presence in contemplative prayer or soaking meetings – with other self-serving flakes, counterfeits. He’ll decide how much of His holy presence He puts in/on individuals – according to their personal obedience. He alone decides how much of His presence He chooses to put in our lives.

Some who defend this occultic “soaking” movement attempt to justify such by the supposed “joy” it brings. But is that the true “joy of the LORD” or a cheap counterfeit of the enemy. Well, here’s how the Bible teaches that God’s people have joy.

“Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts.” Jeremiah 15:16

WHAT and WHY did Jeremiah say was “the joy and rejoicing of mine heart”? -“Thy words were found, and I did eat them.” It’s real simple: Jeremiah devoured the Word of God and was therefore filled with the joy of the LORD.

Beware of counterfeit joy!

Did you realize that the context of Nehemiah 8:10 is the Word? Read the text – Nehemiah 8:1-10. Watch this:

“So they read in the book in the law of God (the Word) distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading … the joy of the LORD is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:8, 10

Psalms 16 is prophetic of Jesus who rendered perfect obedience to His Father: “For thou wilt not leave my (Jesus’) soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. 11 Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.” (Psalms 16:10-11)

The “presence” of the LORD and “fulness of joy” He alone can give, only comes with the genuine disciple who is truly walking with Christ. We see this throughout Scripture.

“In his presence” sure is “fulness of joy,” and He requires our obedience to bring us into His presence (Psalms 16:11).

“For he whom God hath sent (Christ) speaketh the words of God (fully obedient): for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him.” John 3:34

As seen in the above verse, where Christ is our example, the LORD’s presence in our lives is contingent upon our abiding in Him, obeying Him (John 14:21-23; 15:1-16, etc.). Seeking His presence without obeying Him, truly worshiping HIM, reveals a self-serving nature. Should we not simply seek His face and not just His joy? Did the LORD not plainly tell us that He will give us His joy and presence if we seek Him with a whole heart? (See Jeremiah 29:11-14.)

“He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him…. 23 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.” John 14:21, 23

IF you truly want more of the presence of the LORD, no need to mindlessly sit soaking or meditating. Get up and obey and then and only then will He graciously grant you greater anointing and reward!

We are to immerse ourself in His Word – Joshua 1:8, not mindless meditation which is new age paganism.

Many today want God to do more for them, they want more of His presence and to “soak” and yet, they’ve not obeyed Him and His simplest instructions. Not going to happen.

YOU can pray till you are blue in the face and God will not hear if you will not repent and literally obey Him: Proverbs 28:9 says: “He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law (Word), even his prayer shall be abomination.”

“IF IF IF ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.” John 15:7

Are you truly abiding in Jesus – according to HIS definition of such? Of course we should seek and ask Him to be anointed and full of His Spirit in order to DO His work, and yet, such comes from laying down our lives – which He then raises upward by His presence.

“Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. 11 For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. 12 So then death worketh in us, but life in you.” 2 Corinthians 4:10-12

The resurrection presence, life, glory, and power of Jesus fills and raises up the truly obedient – those who resign themselves to the crucified life.

Nancy Cote notes:

“This movement is growing by leaps and bounds because this generation loves signs and wonders and what their itching ears want more than Sola Scripture of solid doctrine. Dying to self and picking up their cross and preaching of The Cross that is foolishness to them.”

Yet, Jesus’ presence does not come to us just because WE want it to. Isn’t a preoccupation with seeking His presence while not obeying Him cloaked pride? There are conditions to be met – obedience and truly worshiping HIM are essential. This is in contrast to seeking His presence for our self-serving purposes. Remember how the disciples wanted to sit at His right and and His left?

“Then came to him the mother of Zebedee’s children with her sons, worshipping him, and desiring a certain thing of him. 21 And he said unto her, What wilt thou? She saith unto him, Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left, in thy kingdom. 22 But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are able. 23 And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father.” Matthew 20:20-23

When you die (lay down your life) He will reciprocate with His resurrection life (2 Corinthians 4:10-12). That’s His promise but you must die to experience this, not try to control things yourself which is further evidence that you are not dying to self. He’s in control, not you.

Fact: Jesus says that to those who OBEY Him – live by faith – will be granted His presence, not those who selfishly seek to soak or conjure up His presence through their own merit or works for their own self–serving purposes.

Isn’t seeking His presence without obedience paramount to seeking signs instead of the Savior Himself? Trusting God by abiding in intimate fellowship and obedience to Him will always bring His holy presence in our lives. Read what Jesus says in John 14:21-23.

What did Jesus say of the sign seekers?

“Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee. 39 But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas:” Matthew 12:38-39

Seeking His Presence or Simply Obeying Christ?

“He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. 22 Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world? 23 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.” John 14:21-23

Today, so many who vainly believe they are Christ’s, are being misled into self-seeking experiences they are told are of God. Quite a contrast with New Testament disciples of Jesus we read about in the 27 book canon. The honest student of Scripture and follower of Jesus knows that a walk of faith, a denial of self (the cross), and being soundly grounded in the Word, is the walk of a true New Testament believer.

You want God’s Holy Ghost on your life? OBEY HIM:

“And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.” Acts 5:32

It seems that today, many people claiming to know Jesus seek to do anything except soberly and soundly follow Him, denying self, taking up the cross, and abiding in Him.

According to Jesus, in the end, at the Judgment, those who loved and obeyed Him will be received into glory and remain with Him eternally. In contrast, those who revel in the experiential, not being rooted in Christ, will be terminated into the bowels of eternal damnation (Matthew 7:21-23).

PENTECOST, the baptism with the Holy Ghost is a non-negotiable, essential, central component of Christ’s New Testament program-yet not the things added by sinful wolves today. We are whole Gospel believers which would include discerning and rejecting additives – yet never diminishing, letting go of the true Pentecostal Holy Ghost baptism Christ gives to His own. NOT the denomination, but the New Testament reality. When exposing the NAR (New Apostolic Reformation)/Bethel warlocks and their witchcraft, you may at times be called a cessationist by those deceived by the enemy of souls. A cessionist is one who erroneously believes that the bless-ed power of the Holy Ghost was only for the earliest followers of Jesus. False. Yet, the authentic baptism with the Holy Spirit is never manifested in God’s Word as that which is anything except pure, holy, and “in order.” “Let all things be done decently and in order” (1 Corinthians 14:40). Being baptized (immersed, clothed upon) with the Holy Spirit will always lead to more divine power to be holy, set apart unto Christ and not to misuse His gift for things not sanctioned in and by His Word. Keeping it biblical!

The Soaking Scam of the NAR (New Apostolic Reformation) Cult: Beware.

Getting Gospel Grounded [podcast]

Refusing to sit under the false gospel, false doctrines, false teachers, and wolves is not forsaking the assembling of the saints. It’s obedience to the LORD! See 2 Corinthians 6:17-18) There is a “difference” between the true and the false leaders today. True disciples will always warn and help God’s people distinguish the false teachers and “discern between the unclean and the clean”: “And they shall teach my people the difference between the holy and profane, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean.” Ezekiel 44:23 False leaders are to be marked, to be scoped out and […]

100% Proof the Asbury Revival is a False Sodomite Delusion [podcast]

“And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word.” 1 Kings 18:21 “Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination.” Leviticus 18:22 All homosexuality is sin. YOU don’t decide such. WE don’t qualify to decide right and wrong – what is righteousness and what is sin. God did. “Let God be true, and every man a liar.” Romans 3:4 “God said it, I believe it, That settles it!” […]

Authentic Disciples vs Counterfeits [podcast]

“And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men.” Acts 24:16 WHEN God is truly first in your life, EVERYTHING you do, your whole life, revolves around your fellowship with and obedience to Him (Matthew 6:33; Luke 19:27). All others are counterfeits. Repent now. Put the LORD first or perish (Matthew 25:1-13; Titus 1:16; 1 John 2:4; Revelation 3:15-16, etc.). Jesus teaches us that real change and the “manifest” presence of the LORD only come to those who love, worship, and obey Christ (John 14:21-23). These blessings don’t come from […]

Abiding

The Cross and the Throne of Grace [podcast]

“Hid with Christ in God”

“If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.” Colossians 3:1-4

The safest place in the universe is in the cross of Christ: “your life is hid with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:3).

Our place of protection is in the love walk with the LORD where we express our love for Him in obedience to Him. Jesus commanded that we deny self, take up the cross daily and follow Him. We are full of troubles and so it should be easy to relinquish all to Him!

“Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble.” Job 14:1

In Christ alone is our rest from the toil of this life.

“Concerning the works of men, by the word of thy lips I have kept me from the paths of the destroyer.” Psalms 17:4

“Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. 15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:14-16

“Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.” Hebrews 7:25

Prayer: Father, in Jesus’ name, please bring me to the end of sinful self. Rebuke and remove the foolishness of this heart! I love You LORD and thank You that I am crucified with You today and that You are raising up this life for Your glory alone. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

7 Sayings of Jesus on the Cross [podcast]

What Final Statements Did Jesus Make on the Cross and What Did They Mean? Our LORD Jesus Christ said 7 things while as He was offering His body and precious, sinless blood to buy us back to God. He was suffering for the sins of mankind and for no sin of His own (2 Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 7:26; 1 Peter 3:18). He was shedding His blood to Re-deem (buy us back) and that’s what Jesus did for “the whole world” when He died on the cross, was buried, and raised again from the dead (1 Corinthians 15:1-4; 1 John 2:2). […]

THE ESSENTIAL IMPORTANCE OF CHRISTOLOGY [podcast]

WHO do WE say that Jesus is? “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever” (Hebrews 13:8), and He is asking us the exact questions today that He asked His disciples while on earth. “Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?” Matthew 16:13 “But whom say ye that I am?” Matthew 16:15 Jesus is asking each of us “What are others saying of Me and Who do you say that I am?” In other words, perhaps He’s asking us “In a world of many swirling ideas about Me, who do you say that […]

Abiding

“I Will Uphold Thee with the Right Hand of My Righteousness” [podcast]

One source notes:

“‘I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness’ is a famous promise from the Bible found in Isaiah 41:10 (KJB). It is a comforting verse offering reassurance against fear, with ‘the right hand of my righteousness’ symbolizing God’s divine power, justice, and support.”

“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” Galatians 6:9

Help Me Jesus!

“Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. … For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.” Isaiah 41:10, 13

“When we are in the fire of affliction it’s easy to feel afraid and wonder if God is there. Many of the great men of the Bible became discouraged and broken. But the secret was they took it to God in all honesty! In Job 3 he expressed a desire to die. But yet he said in Job 19:25 ‘For I know my Redeemer liveth, and that He shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:’ David said in Psalm 56:9 ‘When I cry into thee, then shall mine enemies turn back: this I know; for God is for me.’ And we know Jeremiah, Jonah, Elijah, etc. all had moments of despair and suffering, but the Lord continued to uphold and encourage them. Their faith did not waver even in the midst of doubt and confusion!” Karen Cochran

“The Lord is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?” Psalms 118:6

“What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? 32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? 33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth. 34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. 37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. 38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:31-39

“in thy presence is fulness of joy”

“Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.” Psalms 16:11

“at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore”

"Blessed are the Poor In Spirit" [podcast]

Jesus’ longest recorded message to His people stands on the foundation of the very first words our Savior uttered in this sermon on the mount. The foundational truth of the entire sermon on the mount (Matthew 5-7) is found in the very first words of our LORD when unveiling this elaborate, far-reaching, and profound message to His disciples of all ages. Here are His first words: “Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:3 Note, “poor in spirit.” Not poor financially or religiously. The two should be mutually exclusive. The Greek word translated into English as “poor” is PTOCHOS. It […]

The Book of Revelation Narrated [podcast]

Chapter 1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John: 2 who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw. 3 Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand. 4 John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which […]

Articles

Diminishing Returns or Divine Blessings? [podcast]

The Reason Your Bag has Holes in it [podcast]

Could our diminishing returns could be due to our refusal to put God first which would mean we are putting His work, His agenda, His stated will and mission – the Great Commission – first?

“The beginning of Haggai’s prophecy finds Israel returning to the land after 70 years under Babylonian oppression (God’s punishment for the sins of Israel’s leaders). Now, a new and younger generation of God’s people are working to rebuild God’s earthly dwelling place, the temple. Long before Haggai’s prophetic ministry, God had promised that when his own presence dwelled among his people, the life-giving power of God would flow from him into their land (Deut. 28:1-14, Haggai 1:1-4). So, in hopes of experiencing God’s promises after a long season of exile, the people begin to rebuild.

Unfortunately, the temple rebuilders quickly become distracted from the project at hand. They stop working on the temple to build their own houses (Hag. 1:1-4). Meeting their immediate needs takes priority over rebuilding God’s temple. But this priority doesn’t work out well for them in the end. Haggai points out that no matter how much they sow in their fields, the returned exiles are reaping less and less. Every day, their rations get thinner, and they feel just a little thirstier (Hag. 1:5-6). Haggai says their diminishing returns are a result of their failure to prioritize rebuilding the temple, the place of God’s presence (Hag. 1:10-11). But he also promises that if they recommit themselves to the temple project, all the blessings and life they hope for will return (Hag. 2:7-8, 18-19). This new generation listens to Haggai and starts making plans for the project’s next phase.”

The rebuilding of the temple in the days of Haggai the prophet is equivalent to the Great Commission work Christ sent us, His “ambassadors” to accomplish as we look for His soon return (2 Corinthians 5:20).

Who is it that gives men the “power to get wealth”? The LORD. Why does He do such? – “that he may establish his covenant.” (Deuteronomy 8:18)

“And thou say in thine heart, My power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth. 18 But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day. 19 And it shall be, if thou do at all forget the LORD thy God, and walk after other gods, and serve them, and worship them, I testify against you this day that ye shall surely perish. 20 As the nations which the LORD destroyeth before your face, so shall ye perish; because ye would not be obedient unto the voice of the LORD your God.” Deuteronomy 8:17-20

Does God still keep His Word to bless those who put Him first with what He grants them the ability to bring in?

If a person chooses to repent of poor stewardship and conform to God’s Word, will the LORD not give that person grace to do the impossible? (Proverbs 3:9-10; Mark 10:27) Are you on your own with your finances? Or, are you dying to human reasoning and excuses and simply obeying the LORD? When we do simply obey Him, we can expect that He will undertake the cause and begin to do things that are miraculous. We see this throughout history, especially as recorded in Holy Writ. Remember the widow who had only a handful of food left to feed herself and her son? Remember who when she obeying the LORD that she was abundantly blessed? (1 Kings 17:10-16) The fact that some wolves have utilized this passage to garner gains for themselves, in no way negates the divine authority in and of this passage of truth. Will the LORD still bless? Has He changed or is our sin hindering His blessings? (Isaiah 59:1-2; Malachi 3:6; Hebrews 13:9)

“Ye looked for much, and, lo it came to little; and when ye brought it home, I did blow upon it. Why? saith the LORD of hosts. Because of mine house that is waste, and ye run every man unto his own house.” Haggai 1:9

The people of God were experiencing diminishing returns due to their refusal to simply put God first in their lives, hearts, and therefore finances. The LORD blew on their finances and scattered them because they were not putting Him and therefore His work first – but rather their own lives and money were first. Repentance required (Revelation 2:4-5). Read Haggai 1. It’s a very revealing chapter.

The LORD’s Plan to Feed, Protect, and Bless His Saints and to Spread His Good News

It’s interesting and telling to compare the distribution of goods/resources/funds among the earliest believers and the way things are done today. Read Acts 2:44-45; 4:32-35. Today, as was so often foretold, the merchandising wolves are living ‘high off the hog’ when the Bible clearly instructs leaders never to “greatly multiply to himself silver and gold.”(Deuteronomy 17:17)

Of course, the Bible teaches that those whom God has called out are to be provided for (1 Cor. 9:1-14; 1 Tim. 5:17-18) and yet, today we have lavish wolves flaunting their multi-million dollar homes in gated communities (insulated from the little guys/the poor). This has nothing to do with and blatantly contradicts the lifestyles of Jesus and His holy apostles. This makes you wonder if those who enable these wolves have even read the Gospels! A second grader knows this is wrong.

Most of us have funded wolves only later to see the light of their greed later. So, should we stop obeying God by giving to further His work? Is it time we understand the LORD’s balance in these things?

Does the Almighty have or need American money in Heaven? No.

The LORD has a plan and following that plan (instead of our own) will result in glorifying Him and seeing many blessed.

***The true disciple of Jesus is not looking for the next trinket to waste his money on, but rather is about His Father’s business of putting that money toward God’s eternal kingdom! (Matthew 6:19-24)

Some who are greedy in heart, serving the god of mammon, do not like biblical teachings on stewardship. They will lash out against the messenger, when those demons that control them are enraged. There are more than 2,500 verses on stewardship in God’s Word and over half of Jesus parables are on stewardship so anyone endeavoring to disclose/teach the full counsel of God cannot dodge that topic.

Many today who name Christ as their Savior are saying in their hearts: “I have more important things to fund than YOUR work LORD! After all, the things in my life, to make me feel more comfortable in this fleeting world, are very important. Jesus, please don’t bother me any more concerning funding YOUR work. I have vacations to go on. I have to get a bigger, nicer car so that I, I, I, look better to mere men. I HAVE to run out and see the newest movies, buy the latest fashions, subscribe to magazines from the world to help me me me be in the know, eat out 20 times monthly, put more money in the bank for MY security, get a bigger house to make myself feel better …”

Which World are You Rich In?

“There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing: there is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches.” Proverbs 13:7

Praise God for those who give to the work of Christ! It is regrettable though that many of those who see God’s work and receive of Him through it as they see those workers of the LORD doing HIS work, do not contribute and do not agree with God that HIS workers “ARE worthy”of financial reward so they can be sustained and furthered in doing HIS HIS HIS work. Many are saying with their inaction that Christ’s workers are NOT worthy of their hire. They are saying “LORD, I know You said that Your servants ARE due financial reward so they can keep doing YOUR work, but I am too busy to take a moment to help, I am too strapped financially, after all, I have the cable TV bill to pay, I have to pay my mortgage, my rent, for food, daily coffee, golf, and for many other essential things. I really don’t think that Your work is important. Winning souls to Your eternal kingdom for who You bled and rose again is not important to me. I am too busy being entrenched in and loving this present sinful world. So, Your kingdom, Your work, and Your people will have to wait till I have so much money that I can keep doing these important things that are important to ME in this life and also throw a token tip your way.”

When is the last time you read 1 Corinthians 9:1-14 and 1 Timothy 5:17-18? Do you know what the LORD is teaching us in these important passages? How can we expect to be blessed of Him if we ignore His instructions?

It is clear that God will bless those who agree with Him – in heart, mind, and in action. We will find amazing, supernatural blessings in our lives if we will put Jesus “first” in our stewardship, in our finances (Matthew 6:33; 2 Corinthians 9:6-11; Proverbs 3:10-11). Did He not promise to bless us if we put Him first which means putting His work as a top priority?

The “double honour” financial reward is due to called out Gospel workers and that’s the instruction of the One who has called out and set those workers apart to do (1 Timothy 5:17-18). That money should be there and that’s why God says that those who labor in His Word – learning and feeding His sheep – are to receive “double honour” so that they do not have to be interrupted in doing HIS work.

Jesus says that what we do with our monies is a direct reflection of who we truly love, worship, and serve – self or the Savior. “For where your treasure is THERE will your heart be also.” (Matthew 6:19-24)

Who has God put in your life to feed you HIS Word? What does the Bible say to do to those who feed you God’s Word? (Galatians 6:6)

Is God calling you to get into agreement with His revealed mind? Is He calling you to count His work as a high priority in your life? Will He not open His windows of blessings upon your life? (Proverbs 3:9-10; 2 Corinthians 9:6-11) Will His kingdom blessings now be added to your life if you truly and practically put Him first? (Matthew 6:33) Will your barns not be “filled with plenty”?

“Honour the Lord with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase:¹⁰So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.” Proverbs 3:9-10

If you are upset, I am sorry. I sure hope this never has to be said again other than in the general teaching of the full-counsel of God which includes the important topic of stewardship.

“But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. ⁷Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. ⁸And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work: ⁹(As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever. ¹⁰Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;) ¹¹Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God.” 2 Corinthians 9:6-11

Do you begin to realize what is at stake here? Do we begin to understand the implications of sinful omission? Do we begin to realize what great rewards we are forfeiting?

Aren’t the bank accounts that are connected to the work of the LORD worthy to be filled in order to supply for His work to be done?

Are you doing your part to fund those who are truly fulfilling a New Testament purpose?

Is the feeding of the LORD’s people important to you? Do unreached precious souls for whom Christ bled and rose again matter?

Jesus says “Feed my sheep.” (John 21:15-17) Are you personally interested in Christ and His sheep? Are you concerned that His sheep will be fed (nourished) and that more souls will be won to Him before it’s too late? What work or labor in this fleeting, sinful world could possibly be more important than that of the LORD’s business? Are you prayer for His laborers and supporting the work of Jesus? (Matthew 9:35-38)

Do we fit into that last day’s prophetic category of those who have a mere “form of godliness” yet deny the power, the divine authority of God to reign in our daily lives? Are we “lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God” and are we those who are “lovers of their own selves, covetous …”? May the LORD rebuke and change us now! (2 Timothy 3:1-8)

God is able!

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