No Pentecost, No Power! [podcast]

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]

The Baptism with the Holy Spirit [podcast]

Powerless Modern Hirelings who Pose as Christ’s Representatives!

THE BAPTISM WITH THE HOLY GHOST AND THE GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT OF GOD ARE VITAL, NON-NEGOTIABLE COMPONENTS OF OUR LORD’S NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH. ARE YOU BAPTIZED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT? DARE WE TAKE AWAY FROM THE LORD’S STATED, NEW TESTAMENT PROGRAM? See REVELATION 22:18-19

GOD wants you to be anointed with His Holy Ghost so He can use you to preach sinners and backsliders into His eternal kingdom! (See Acts 1:8; 2:38.) If you are going to follow Christ fully, you must do things HIS way. If you will be used mightily of Him you must ask Him to baptize with His Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8).

We must be empowered by our LORD to do HIS work (Acts 1:8).

Jesus came and died and rose again for you and that wasn’t so you could steep yourself in this fleeting world but rather to be His ambassador to participate in pouring forth His Word into the hearts of saints and lost souls alike (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-20). Are you walking in the Great Commission beloved of the LORD? Do you desire to walk in Christ’s will?

HOW many people know that you and I have never once had the “problem” of having too much of the presence of the Holy Spirit in our personal lives?

Are you ready to be used to shake hell’s foundation in the power of the Most High?

It all begins at the foot of the cross, bowed down low in repentance and then Jesus’ command in Luke 24:49 and at Acts 1:8. As a Christian, you have the Holy Spirit, you are His temple. Yet, the LORD desires to give you the full measure of his spirit to be Christ’s witness. He’s calling you to tarry before Him till baptized with the Holy Ghost (Matthew 3:11-12; Luke 24:49). Are you willing to do things His way? That is, are you willing to humble yourself, forget the teachings you may have learned against this, and simply listen to Jesus speak to your heart from His own Word? That is, to learn the way prescribed by the unchanging LORD and Savior you claim to be serving? (See Hebrews 13:8.) Do you truly desire all that God has for you? Will you allow anything to stand in your way?

Just after Pentecost when the Holy Spirit was poured out upon God’s people in the earliest days of Christianity, the LORD’s children were bold, divinely-empowered witnesses of Christ (Acts 1:8; 4:33). The lame man at the Gate Beautiful was healed of a lifelong ailment and the city of Jerusalem was in total pandemonium. The religious establishment was losing the control they had wielded over the people. Their Nicolaitan witchcraft was being broken, and why? Because the name and power of Jesus Christ were present in God’s people. In fact, of those who were instrumental in turning the world upside down, the Bible records something interesting of them – “Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus” (Acts 4:13).

Has God changed? Is Jesus Christ no longer “the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever”? See Hebrews 13:8.

LOTS of people attempt in vain to do God’s work without God’s power (Acts 1:8).

Jesus is always the same – divinely supreme and divine perfection. His Gospel program has not changed. It’s those pretending to be representing Him who are not enacting His pure Word and the instructions thereof. They are robbing Him and His people by their lives. Instead of humbling themselves in repentance and begging Him to break them to the core of their being, these hireling wolves go to seminary and learn all kinds of techniques as to farm (fleece) their communities and building their church business.

The Jewish leaders sought to stop the Holy Ghost-empowered ministry when He was poured out on Jesus’ disciples. Jesus had foretold that “the promise of the Father” would be given to His disciples, which is the baptism with the Holy Spirit that John had spoken of (Matthew 3:11-12; Luke 24:49; Acts 1-2).

The children of God were filled and began to have the boldness Jesus promised would come upon them “AFTER that the Holy Ghost” was “come upon” them (Acts 1:8). As Jesus foretold, they were endued or clothed upon with the power of God (Acts 24:49). THIS is exactly how and why so much divine power was in that city and Jesus has not changed one bit.

What’s the difference?

Why so many lame, powerless leaders?

Why so many pansies behind pulpits?

You see, many modern organizations draw upon the desire of Christians and well-meaning people. They seduce souls to join in while sacrificing the Savior for self – to make self feel and look good. However, those who truly serve the Savior, obey the Savior. Jesus Christ is the unchanging and only Savior from sin and hell, and He commanded His people to “Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15).

The Apostolic New Testament Program

“Apostolic” simply refers to Christ’s apostles who were carrying forward His Gospel. After Jesus rose from the dead and had returned to His seat at the right hand of the Father, Christ’s apostles made sure when Jesus saved souls, that those newly saved saints had the opportunity to receive the full measure of the Holy Ghost – an integral part of New Testament Christianity and without which the believer cannot and will not be powerfully used of God:

“Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God (got saved), they sent unto them Peter and John: 15 Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: 16 (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) 17 Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.” Acts 8:14-17

Here is Paul, the apostle of Christ in Ephesus:

“And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, 2 He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. 3 And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John’s baptism. 4 Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. 5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.” Acts 19:1-6

These last days are littered with feel-good, politically correct messages and organizations that cater to the whims of sinful, unregenerate mere men while defying Christ. Some of them do so while claiming or feigning to be Christian. This is absurd hypocrisy and deceit.

“We must line up with the Word and stop attempting to relax or ignore the scriptures that we find ‘offensive’ so to speak.” Carol Zingale

Pentecostal Power is New Testament Christianity!

In the hours that ensued Pentecost, Jesus was being magnified and 8,000 souls were saved! (See Acts 2:41; 4:4.) Oh, and they were truly saved! They didn’t “make a decision” or “accept Christ” as so many false leaders speak of today concerning their altar calls. No, these souls were moved by God to genuinely repent and put their faith in Christ alone. This also happened because repentance, the very first word of the Gospel, was preached (Matthew 3:2; 4:17; Acts 2:38; 3:19; 17:30). Repentance is nearly never heard today and anyone not preaching it is false. Osteen and seeker friendly emergent church wolves refuse to preach on sin and the necessity of repentance. Rick Warren wrote a book entitled “Purpose Driven Life” which sold tens of millions of copies and never calls men to repent. This alone makes Warren and anyone not preaching the imperative of repentance “accursed” for preaching another or false gospel (Galatians 1:6-9).

What’s the Difference?

In this first hour of the Gospel and New Testament church of Jesus, the religious pressure, persecutions, and attack were largely from without (from the Jewish religion). Now, perhaps much more subtly, the insidious persecution and desecration of oracles of God, are largely from within as we were warned of later in Acts 20:29-31 and Psalms 74:4, 7.

Because they were truly in a relationship with Jesus and full of the Holy Spirit as He ordained, in the pressure cooker of severe persecution, the earliest believers stood boldly. Today, many who claim to be Christ’s cower to Satan’s whims to stop the incorruptible, soul-saving Word of God from going forth. No Word, no salvation! (See James 1:18; 1 Peter 1:23).

Modern attempts to stifle true Christians from communicating the Law of God and Gospel truth include terms such as:

-Bible Basher
-Proselytize
-etc.

This is the enemy’s attempt to hinder the transmission of God’s Word into the hearts of those He holds captive in their sins and has dominion over until such a time as they hear God’s Word and repent.

“In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.” 2 Corinthians 4:4

It’s the Son of God alone who makes men free as they obey His truth and yet, if they don’t hear it from God’s people, they will not hear it and will perish (John 8:31-32, 36; Book of Acts; 1 Thessalonians 1:8).

Today we have lame, cowardly denominations and organizations which deceitfully claim to be Christian and yet refuse to follow and obey Christ. For example Compassion International refuses to give the soul-saving message of the Gospel of Jesus. Habitat for Humanity claims to be Christian and builds houses for people while making a home in hell for them by not preaching the Gospel to those very same people (Proverbs 24:10-12). The blood of guilt is upon their hands (Ezekiel 33). God will judge His people for such an atrocity. Jesus came and bled and we refuse to tell those we claim to be helping? Really?

One reason for this evil omission is the refusal to be baptized with the Holy Spirit. Such leaves even true believers powerless to make Christ known as they war against the evil spirits who oppose Jesus and His blessed Gospel. If the twelve disciples, who literally walked with Jesus and heard His teaching and saw His miracles first-hand, were not fit to minister before being filled with His Spirit, why would anyone today be? That’s right, Jesus told them to “tarry” or wait till they were baptized with the Holy Ghost before they attempted to go forth (Luke 24:49). This Bible truth is covered up by Satan’s false ministers in today’s false church system (2 Corinthians 11:12-15). Satan loves this attack!

Why were the earliest Christians successful in serving their LORD? Due to obeying Him and refusing to lean on their own feeble, depraved understanding (Proverbs 3:5-7). They simply sought, served, and obeyed what their Savior said. They tarried or waited until He poured out His Holy Ghost on them. They didn’t seek some other way like the beguilers today who circumvent Christ for seminary sickness.

Watch this and wonder why not today?

Acts 4

“But that it spread no further among the people, let us straitly threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name.

18 And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.

19 But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye.

20 For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.

21So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding nothing how they might punish them, because of the people: for all men glorified God for that which was done.

…29 And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word,

30 By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus.

31 And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.

32 And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.

33 And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.”

The earliest believers were full of the presence and power of God and therefore refused to cower to Satan’s plea. They refused to compromise and be traitors. They used the persecutions as springboards for more boldness, forged by their conviction to worship and obey their LORD and Master, Jesus. They cried out for more of the Holy Ghost and more of His power to give witness to the risen Savior!

If we refuse to obey the LORD’s New Testament program, which includes the baptism with the Holy Spirit, there will be feeble results at best. Look at the modern, so-called “evangelical” church world and you will see a powerless, lame, social club that entertains its members.

Now, read Acts chapters 1-4. Submit your life to Jesus unreservedly and seek His face for the baptism with His Holy Spirit.

Now, if you go to a church that isn’t preaching repentance and the baptism with the Holy Ghost, you are not going to a New Testament church. Run for your life!

Do things God’s way or suffer defeat as a rebel. There will never be breakthrough in your life until you reckon with and obey divine truth.

“Buy the truth and sell it not.” Proverbs 23:23

“Let God be true and EVERY man a liar.” Romans 3:4

Make no mistake: The withholding of this essential truth (the baptism with the Holy Spirit) is a conspiracy of Satan and his false leaders who pose as and hold positions as “Christian” leaders (Ezekiel 22:25-27; 2 Corinthians 4:4; 11:12-15). Satan’s most effective ministers are operating within the professing church. This is exactly why that which calls itself “evangelical Christianity” displays no resemblance to that Christianity seen in Acts and on the pages of the New Testament Scriptures. There is no holy boldness or power in the modern church which alone shows its apostasy (Proverbs 28:1; Acts 1:8, etc.). Church members today are not disciples – because those leading them aren’t disciples (Isaiah 9:16).

Jesus says simply: “Follow me.”

Who are you following?

“And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” Mark 8:34

We need the divine Person of the Holy Ghost to make us holy as Jesus is holy (1 Peter 1:15-16). We must have more of Him!

Are you ready to be baptized with the Holy Spirit? Holy Ghost Baptism (thorough study guide for individual or group use) | Holy Ghost Baptism (audio)

MESSAGE RECEIVED:

“All modern day pentecostalism is witchcraft.”

REPLY:

So Peter and all of Christ’s apostles and the whole 120 on the Day of Pentecost were under witchcraft? Repent sinner. Jesus hasn’t changed (Hebrews 13:8) and the promise of the Holy Ghost is to ALL under the New Testament era (Acts 2:38-39).

Full of The Holy Ghost [podcast]

We must be empowered by our LORD to do HIS work (Acts 1:8). When we are born again the Holy Spirit is in us (1 Jn 3:24; Rom 8:9,16)…. yet there is a baptismal measure, the full measure God wants to give us as a gift….. to empower His people (Acts 1:8; 2:38-39, etc.). In order to have divine “power” to be Christ’s witness, one must be baptized with the Holy Ghost (Acts 1:8). ****WE MUST not only preach the original Gospel, we MUST be divinely empowered by the Author of that original Gospel! Acts 1:8 …. Are you born again and […]

"Have ye Received the Holy Ghost since ye Believed?" [podcast]

John the Baptist Foretold: “I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me (Christ) is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:” Matthew 3:11 Jesus promised the Baptism, the Endument with His Holy Ghost: “Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient (better) for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.” John 16:7 Jesus instructed His disciples: […]

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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