Mark 10:44-45 KJV “And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all. [45] For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.”

God’s kingdom is totally different from the kingdom of darkness that rules the kingdoms of this world. In this world the weaker serve the stronger. But in God’s kingdom the stronger serve the weaker. The Bible says God made mankind lower than angels. (Psalm 8:4-5) Yet angels serve us:

Hebrews 1:14 AMP “Are not all the angels ministering spirits sent out [by God] to serve (accompany, protect) those who will inherit salvation? [Of course they are!]”

See how God guides and protects us with His angels?

In marriage God says the woman is the weaker vessel. Yet the husband is to honor and serve his wife, so that his prayers will not be hidered:

1 Peter 3:7 KJV “Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.”

Ephesians 5:25-33 KJV “Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; [26] That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, [27] That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. [28] So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. [29] For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: [30] For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. [31] For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. [32] This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. [33] Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.”

Wow! Look at how things go in God’s kingdom. The husband is to be a respectful, loving, self-sacrificing servant to his wife. Just like Christ is to His church. Husbands are to love their wives as they love themselves. Christ gave His life for the church. A husband must be armed with the same attitude regarding his wife. Christ washes and sanctifies the church with the word of God. A husband must do the same for his wife. Christ is patient with the church. Husbands must be with their wives. Christ cares for all of the churches physical, spiritual, and emotional needs. HUSBANDS MUST DO THE SAME for their wives. The husband is head of his wife just as Christ is head of the church. (Ephesians 5:23) But in God’s kingdom being the head means being the biggest servant.😁 It does not mean you’re the boss. That’s how Satan’s kingdom operates. Husbands, treat your wives the way God says or your prayers will be hindered (you will lose fellowship with God). If need be repent. Earnestly ask God to help you serve your wife the same way Christ serves the church.

Elders also are servants of the church. But in Satan’s kingdom (that is in phony churches) the church serves the Pastor. Not so in God’s kingdom:

1 Peter 5:2‭-‬4 MEV “Shepherd the flock of God that is among you, take care of them, not by constraint, but willingly, not for dishonest gain, but eagerly. Do not Lord over those in your charge, but be examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive a crown of glory that will not fade away.”

Matthew 20:25-26 BSB “But Jesus called them aside and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their superiors exercise authority over them. 26 It shall not be this way among you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant.”

There it is again. Those in positions of authority in God’s kingdom serve in His church and elsewhere. They are examples to others. Pastors, Apostles, Teachers, Evangelist, and Prophets care for God’s church. They serve willingly. Not under compulsion. Not for money. They are not Lords and demigods over others. That’s how Satan’s kingdom operates.

THE GREATEST EXAMPLE

Who has more authority than God? No one. Yet God is the greatest servant of all! He serves all of mankind! Even His enemies. Everything exists and keeps on working because of Him. The sun continues to shine, the rains continue to come, the seasons change, night and day appear, life, breath, and air, etcetera, are all because of God. God has given mankind everything he needs not only to survive but also for his enjoyment. But greedy men, those who Lord over others, hoard and squander God’s gifts to us all. And although these men seem to be doing all they can to destroy the earth it still keeps on working. God is such a great servant he serves even these scoundrels too:

Matthew 5:43-48 NLT “You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. [44] But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! [45] In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. [46] If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. [47] If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that. [48] But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.”

Isn’t God awesome?😁 No one on will have an excuse on judgment day. God is righteous. How can you argue with someone in court who continued to show you love and do good towards you even though you hated Him all of your life? God is indeed the righteous judge and the greatest servant of all!!!

In conclusion as I ponder how God’s kingdom works (the stronger serving the weaker) I think about Satan who was once called Lucifer in heaven. He lost everything. He lost his mind, his reputation, his home, his high position with God, eternity, he lost it all. The Bible says he was a Cherub. Cherubs are the highest ranking angels in heaven. As such Lucifer would have had to be a bigger servant. But somewhere along the lines this was no longer a good idea to him, and he sinned. Instead of serving he wanted to be served. He even thought he could become as high as God. He exalted himself. This caused him to fall. And many other angels followed him to their doom as well. This is why the world operates in the same spirit of self-exaltation. (Revelation 12:9) The god of this world is Satan formerly know as the fallen angel Lucifer.

Those of us who are children of light let us follow our great example:

Philippians 2:2-11 KJV “Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. [3] Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. [4] Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. [5] Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: [6] Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: [7] But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: [8] And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. [9] Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: [10] That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; [11] And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

Matthew 23:12 NIV “For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

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Matthew 5:10-12 NIV “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. [11] “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. [12] Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

How often do we hear people today say, “I’m blessed?” Are they being persecuted (pursued) for righteousness sake? Are they being insulted for the name of Jesus? Do people say all kinds of evil against them for believing in Christ? Jesus said this is what being blessed means. Wouldn’t Jesus know more about blessings than us? There are many reasons why people feel, “blessed.” We will discuss a few.

“I’M BLESSED I WOKE UP THIS MORNING”

Ask enough people, “How are you doing?” and it won’t be long before you hear, “I’m blessed, I woke up this morning.” I would have to agree that waking up in the morning can be a blessing, but is that what it means to BE BLESSED? It can’t be because a lot of cursed people woke up this morning too. Here’s proof:

Jeremiah 17:5 NIV “This is what the Lord says: “Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who draws strength from mere flesh and whose heart turns away from the Lord.”

Proverbs 17:13 GW “Whoever pays back evil for good–evil will never leave his home.”

Proverbs 24:24-25 KJV “He that saith unto the wicked, Thou art righteous; him shall the people curse, nations shall abhor him: [25] But to them that rebuke him shall be delight, and a good blessing shall come upon them.”

Isaiah 5:20-24 KJV “Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! [21] Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight! [22] Woe unto them that are mighty to drink wine, and men of strength to mingle strong drink: [23] Which justify the wicked for reward, and take away the righteousness of the righteous from him! [24] Therefore as the fire devoureth the stubble, and the flame consumeth the chaff, so their root shall be as rottenness, and their blossom shall go up as dust: because they have cast away the law of the Lord of hosts, and despised the word of the Holy One of Israel.”

Many of these people woke up this morning too. And they are all cursed! They’re not blessed. People who, “cast away,” (do away with) the law of the Lord (God’s word) are cursed.” People who call evil good and good evil are cursed. People who justify wicked people for unjust profits are cursed. People who trust in man for strength are cursed. People who return evil for good are cursed. People who call wicked people righteous are cursed. People who are wise in their own eyes are cursed. People who are drunkards are cursed, etcetera. Many of these people woke up this morning too. So just waking up in the morning is not the definition of what it means to blessed.

The Devil loves religious cliches like, “I’m blessed, I woke up this morning,” because these kinds of sayings blind people from the truth. You are only blessed if you are a true follower of Jesus Christ, which will bring persecution for His name. Waking up in the morning doesn’t give you automatic, “Blessed,” status with God. In fact if you are truly serving Jesus Christ your most blessed day will be when you don’t wake up anymore. Because then you will be with Him in heaven forever!😂

Philippians 1:21 NLT “For to me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better.”

Ecclesiastes 7:1 NLT “A good reputation is more valuable than costly perfume. And the day you die is better than the day you are born.”

John 11:25 KJV “Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.”

“I GOT MONEY, I’M BLESSED”

Athough waking up in the morning and having money can be blessings these are not the definitions of what it means to BE BLESSED. Need proof on this regarding money? Read below:

James 5:1-6 NIV “Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming on you. [2] Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes. [3] Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days. [4] Look! The wages you failed to pay the workers who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty. [5] You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter. [6] You have condemned and murdered the innocent one, who was not opposing you.”

WOW! Most people believe once they become rich they’ve got it made. But God says, “Woe,” to many rich people because they are cursed. They practice injustice and are greedy.

James 1:9-12 KJV “Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted: [10] But the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away. [11] For the sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat, but it withereth the grass, and the flower thereof falleth, and the grace of the fashion of it perisheth: so also shall the rich man fade away in his ways. [12] Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.”

Righteous folks endure trials and will be crowned with life. The wicked who have money buy their way out of trouble (so they think) and are crowned with the second death (Revelation 21:8). WOW! According to God’s word the poor man is blessed not the rich man. God says the rich man will fade away and all of his ways. That includes all of his achievements. So being rich or having money doesn’t give you automatic, “Blessed,” status either. It’s a lie from the Devil.

1 Timothy 6:8-10 KJV “And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. [9] But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. [10] For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.”

So many desiring to be rich have destroyed themselves God says. Because they have made money their God and are under a curse.

“I’M BEAUTIFUL, SO I’M BLESSED”

Hah hah hah I just had to talk about this one. How many Esther’s do we have out there? Women who’s beauty put them in influential positions in life, then their inner beauty shines even more, and they are used by God to save a nation of people from genocide? Hmmmmmm.🤔 If you’re not familiar with the story of Esther I encourage you to read about Queen Esther in the Bible Book Of Esther. There you will find what a beautiful, blessed woman looks like.

Today we have many pretty people who are Jezebels. That goes for males and females. We have narcissists who use their looks to gain control of and destroy others. I once had a manager (a female) who was desperately trying to gain control over me. She wasn’t drop dead gorgeous but she had some beauty. I was her #1 sales rep out of 350 employees but that wasn’t enough. She wanted more. She wanted my soul. She would sit in provocative poses at work and call my name with this sexual look on her face. I would ignore her and keep working. One day she called me in her office and said, “I know you can look at me and tell that I’m blessed!” WOW! What arrogance. Poor woman. Long story short I never gave in to her advances but instead rebuked her for pretending to be a Christian. I wound up losing that job and she saw to it that I did not receive my last pay check.

Here’s proof that being pretty or beautiful doesn’t mean you are blessed:

Proverbs 31:30 ISV “Charm is deceitful and beauty fades; but a woman who fears the LORD will be praised.”

The woman that fears the Lord is beautiful. She has a beauty that will never fade away.

1 Peter 3:3-4 KJV ‘Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; [4] But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.”

It’s not how a woman looks or what she wears that makes her beautiful to God. It’s her inner self that can’t be corrupted; her meek and quiet spirit. Women like this are of GREAT PRICE TO GOD! So, for someone to say about themselves or about someone else they are blessed just because they are beautiful (outwardly) is a lie.

Let’s be truly blessed by seeking what God tells us being blessed means.

Psalm 1:1-2 KJV “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. [2] But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.”

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Romans 1:18-19 KJV “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; [19] Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.”

People know that God exist. Yet they choose to hold the truth in unrighteousness. They play dumb and use every excuse in the book to not serve Him. But there is no excuse because God has made Himself plain to us all. He’s made Himself, “MANIFEST IN THEM,” the Bible says. That means God has revealed Himself, “IN,” our minds. In Moses’ day when the third of the 10 plagues was being poured out on Egypt even Pharaoh’s magicians/witches/wizards had to exclaim, “This is the finger of God.” God made Himself known or, “manifest IN them,” as well:

Exodus 8:18-19 KJV “And the magicians did so with their enchantments to bring forth lice, but they could not: so there were lice upon man, and upon beast. Then the magicians said unto Pharaoh, THIS IS THE FINGER OF GOD: and Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, and he hearkened not unto them; as the Lord had said.”

The same goes on today; God makes Himself known one way or another to people yet their hearts become hardened toward God just like Pharaoh. We know how the story ended for Pharaoh, his army, and the Egyptians. News flash: GOD HAS NOT CHANGED.

GOD STILL HANDS DOWN CURSES

If you think God is only in the, “Blessings,” business you don’t know God, think again! God also hands down curses to the wicked; to those who would harm His people:

Revelation 11:3-6 NLT “And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will be clothed in burlap and will prophesy during those 1,260 days.” [4] These two prophets are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of all the earth. [5] IF ANYONE TRIES TO HARM THEM, FIRE FLASHES FROM THEIR MOUTHS AND CONSUMES THEIR ENEMIES. This is how ANYONE WHO TRIES TO HARM THEM MUST DIE. [6] They have power to shut the sky so that no rain will fall for as long as they prophesy. And they have the power to turn the rivers and oceans into blood, and to STRIKE THE EARTH WITH EVERY KIND OF PLAGUE AS OFTEN AS THEY WISH.”

In these last days God gives His people power to prophesy. He knew there would be those who would try to stop (harm) them. So God gives His witnesses authority to pronounce fiery judgment (curses) on those who would harm them. And this is how they must die. While they are prophesying God’s people also have power to strike the earth with plagues (curses) as often as they wish! God gives His people the same authority to strike the earth with calamities that he gave to Elijah and Moses. 😱 This is written. You just read it. If you know God this really shouldn’t shock you, or what you’re about to read next. Remember, GOD DOESN’T CHANGE:

Jeremiah 11:18-23 NIV “Because the Lord revealed their plot to me, I knew it, for at that time he showed me what they were doing. [19] I had been like a gentle lamb led to the slaughter; I did not realize that they had plotted against me, saying, “Let us destroy the tree and its fruit; let us cut him off from the land of the living, that his name be remembered no more.” [20] But you, Lord Almighty, who judge righteously and test the heart and mind, LET ME SEE YOUR VENGEANCE ON THEM, for to you I have committed my cause. [21] Therefore this is what the Lord says about the people of Anathoth who are threatening to kill you, saying, “Do not prophesy in the name of the Lord or you will die by our hands”— [22] therefore this is what THE LORD ALMIGHTY SAYS: “I WILL PUNISH THEM. Their young men will die by the sword, their sons and daughters by famine. [23] Not even a remnant will be left to them, because I will bring disaster on the people of Anathoth in the year of their punishment.”

God told Jeremiah that his prayer of vengeance and curses against his enemies would be answered:

Jeremiah 18:19-23 NIV “Listen to me, Lord; hear what my accusers are saying! [20] Should good be repaid with evil? Yet they have dug a pit for me. Remember that I stood before you and spoke in their behalf to turn your wrath away from them. [21] So give their children over to famine; hand them over to the power of the sword. Let their wives be made childless and widows; let their men be put to death, their young men slain by the sword in battle. [22] Let a cry be heard from their houses when you suddenly bring invaders against them, for they have dug a pit to capture me and have hidden snares for my feet. [23] But YOU, LORD, KNOW ALL THEIR PLOTS TO KILL ME. Do not forgive their crimes or blot out their sins from your sight. Let them be overthrown before you; deal with them in the time of your anger.”

What? Prophets of God pray prayers like that? Yes. Are you puzzled about this? If so you’ve been believing wrong things about God. Maybe you’ve been listening to those false preachers who speak only about, “BLESSINGS,” and, “PROSPERITY,” all the time. God is not contradicting Himself when He says to pray for and love your enemies. If you paid close attention to what you just read you would have seen that Jeremiah did just that. He said he prayed for his enemies asking God to turn His wrath away from them. (Jeremiah 18:20) Yet they were still slandering Him and trying to kill Him. Why? For speaking God’s truth. They rewarded his good with evil. God’s curse is on anyone who does this! God’s own written word says so. So Jeremiah’s prayers that switched from mercy to vengeance was in perfect harmony with God’s will. And this is why God honored his prayer:

1 John 5:14 KJV “And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, IF WE ASK ANYTHING ACCORDING TO HIS WILL, HE HEARETH US:”

Proverbs 17:13 KJV “Whoso rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.”

This is God’s curse on the evildoer’s entire household!

DAVID PRAYED THE SAME WAY

Psalm 109:1-31 KJV “Hold not thy peace, O God of my praise; [2] For THE MOUTH OF THE WICKED and THE MOUTH OF THE DECEITFUL ARE OPENED AGAINST ME: they have spoken AGAINST ME WITH A LYING TONGUE. [3] They compassed me about also with WORDS OF HATRED; and fought against me without a cause. [4] FOR MY LOVE THEY ARE MY ADVERSARIES [evil for good]: but I give myself unto prayer. [5] And THEY HAVE REWARDED ME EVIL FOR GOOD, and HATRED FOR MY LOVE. [6] Set thou a wicked man over him: and LET SATAN STAND AT HIS RIGHT HAND.😱 [7] When he shall be judged, LET HIM BE CONDEMNED: and let his prayer become sin. [8] Let his days be few; and let another take his office. [9] Let his children be fatherless, and his wife a widow. [10] Let his children be continually vagabonds, and beg: let them seek their bread also out of their desolate places. [11] Let the extortioner catch all that he hath; and let the strangers spoil his labour. [12] Let there be none to extend mercy unto him: neither let there be any to favour his fatherless children. [13] Let his posterity be cut off; and in the generation following let their name be blotted out. [14] Let the iniquity of his fathers be remembered with the Lord; and let not the sin of his mother be blotted out. [15] Let them be before the Lord continually, that he may cut off the memory of them from the earth. [16] Because that he remembered not to shew mercy, but PERSECUTED THE POOR AND NEEDY man, that he might even slay the broken in heart. [17] AS HE LOVED CURSING, SO LET IT COME UNTO HIM: as he delighted not in blessing, so let it be far from him. [18] As he clothed himself with cursing like as with his garment, so let it come into his bowels like water, and like oil into his bones. [19] Let it be unto him as the garment which covereth him, and for a girdle wherewith he is girded continually. [20] Let this be the reward of mine adversaries from the Lord, and of them that speak evil against my soul. [21] But do thou for me, O God the Lord, for thy name’s sake: because thy mercy is good, deliver thou me. [22] For I am poor and needy, and my heart is wounded within me. [23] I am gone like the shadow when it declineth: I am tossed up and down as the locust. [24] My knees are weak through fasting; and my flesh faileth of fatness. [25] I became also a reproach unto them: when they looked upon me they shaked their heads. [26] Help me, O Lord my God: O save me according to thy mercy: [27] That they may know that this is thy hand; that thou, Lord, hast done it. [28] Let them curse, but bless thou: when they arise, let them be ashamed; but let thy servant rejoice. [29] Let mine adversaries be clothed with shame, and let them cover themselves with their own confusion, as with a mantle. [30] I will greatly praise the Lord with my mouth; yea, I will praise him among the multitude. [31] For he shall stand at the right hand of the poor, to save him from those that condemn his soul.”

There you have it again. David prayed for vengeance on his enemies just like Jeremiah did. And God honored David’s prayer as well. Did you notice the common threads in David’s and Jeremiah’s lives? They both had enemies who were slandering them. These enemies were constantly trying to kill them. These enemies rewarded them with evil for good. David and Jeremiah were innocent. They had done these folks no wrong. They both were men of prayer. They both praised God and spoke the truth about Him. They were both hated for speaking God’s truth. They were both righteous.

If you read God’s law He gave through Moses you will find the very same curses that David and Jeremiah prayed about. These are the same curses that God wrote He would bring on anyone who flagrantly broke His laws, just like David and Jeremiah’s enemies had done. David and Jeremiah knew God. Hence they knew that what they were praying for (vengeance and curses on their and God’s enemies) was in perfect harmony with God’s will. It’s no different today. Remember, GOD DOESN’T CHANGE.

HE REALLY DOESN’T CHANGE

There are some who will say, “Well, I hear what you’re saying, but you gotta understand that’s how God dealt with people in the old testament under the law. Now that Jesus has come in the New Testament we are all under God’s grace.” I would respond to that with some New Testament passages below that shows God is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8):

2 Timothy 4:14 KJV “Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the LORD REWARD HIM ACCORDING TO HIS WORKS.”

Paul did not pray that the Lord would forgive Alexander, but that the Lord would reward him according to his own evil works.

Revelation 6:9-11 KJV “And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar THE SOULS OF THEM THAT WERE SLAIN FOR THE WORD OF GOD, and for the testimony which they held: [10] And THEY CRIED WITH A LOUD VOICE, saying, HOW LONG, O LORD, holy and true, DOST THOU NOT JUDGE AND AVENGE OUR BLOOD ON THEM THAT DWELL ON THE EARTH? [11] And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.”

These souls that are under God’s altar in heaven are those who have been killed for speaking the word of God. They pray to God with a loud voice asking him, ‘How long will it be before you avenge our blood Lord?’ And he tells them to wait just a little while longer. God doesn’t rebuke them and say, “You know it’s wrong to pray for vengeance.”

Acts 5:1-11 NIV “Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. [2] With his wife’s full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put it at the apostles’ feet. [3] Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? [4] Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied just to human beings but to God.” [5] When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died [a curse]. And great fear seized all who heard what had happened. [6] Then some young men came forward, wrapped up his body, and carried him out and buried him. [7] About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. [8] Peter asked her, “Tell me, is this the price you and Ananias got for the land?” “Yes,” she said, “that is the price.” [9] Peter said to her, “How could you conspire to test the Spirit of the Lord? Listen! The feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also.” [10] At that moment she fell down at his feet and died [a curse]. Then the young men came in and, finding her dead, carried her out and buried her beside her husband. [11] Great fear seized the whole church and all who heard about these events.”

Acts 12:21-23 NIV “On the appointed day Herod, wearing his royal robes, sat on his throne and delivered a public address to the people. [22] They shouted, “This is the voice of a god, not of a man.” [23] Immediately, because Herod did not give praise to God, an angel of the Lord struck him down, and HE WAS EATEN BY WORMS AND DIED [a curse].”

Acts 13:6-12 KJV “And when they had gone through the isle unto Paphos, THEY FOUND A CERTAIN SORCERER, A FALSE PROPHET, a Jew, whose name was Bar-jesus: [7] Which was with the deputy of the country, Sergius Paulus, a prudent man; who called for Barnabas and Saul, and desired to hear the word of God. [8] But ELYMAS THE SORCERER (for so is his name by interpretation) WITHSTOOD THEM, SEEKING TO TURN AWAY THE DEPUTY FROM THE FAITH. [9] Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him, [10] And said, O full of all subtilty and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord? [11] And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon thee, and THOU SHALT BE BLIND [a curse], not seeing the sun for a season. And immediately there fell on him a mist and a darkness; and he went about seeking some to lead him by the hand. [12] Then the deputy, when he saw what was done.” believed, being astonished at the doctrine of the Lord.”

Revelation 2:20-23 NIV “Nevertheless, I have this against you: YOU TOLERATE THAT WOMAN JEZEBEL, WHO CALLS HERSELF A PROPHET. By her teaching she misleads my servants into sexual immorality and the eating of food sacrificed to idols. [21] I have given her time to repent of her immorality, but she is unwilling. [22] So I WILL CAST HER ON A BED OF SUFFERING [a curse], and I will make those who commit adultery with her suffer intensely [a curse], unless they repent of her ways. [23] I will strike her children dead [a curse]. Then all the churches will know that I am he who searches hearts and minds, and I WILL REPAY EACH OF YOU ACCORDING TO YOUR DEEDS.”

So much for, ‘God only dealt with people that way in the Old Testament.’

In conclusion, God is not some big mamsy-pamsy God in the sky that does nothing when the wicked come against Him and His people. He has a great day appointed to deal with all evil. But even until then there are many who are under His curse, and are feeling it. The only way out is repentance.

Hopefully the scriptures in this article helped those who truly believe in God understand why sometimes we feel like praying the same way David and Jeremiah did. No, we’re not doing or thinking wrong for praying and feeling these ways if our lives fit the same circumstances as David’s and Jeremiah’s. Are we innocent? Do we praise the Lord? Do we speak the truth? Have we done good to our enemies? Even prayed for the well being of those who persecute us? And besides all this are they still returning evil for good? Are our enemies slandering us? Are our enemies still trying to kill us, etcetera, just like David’s and Jeremiah’s? If the answer is, “Yes,” to all these questions then you too have the right to pray as they did. But if we are just as wicked as our enemies, and are going around throwing around curses like a witch, God will not hear these prayers. He will bring our wickedness on our own heads! Remember:

Proverbs 17:13 GW “Whoever pays back evil for good–evil will never leave his home.”

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Psalm 11:5 KJV “The Lord trieth the righteous: but THE WICKED and him that loveth violence HIS SOUL HATETH.”

You and I have been told, “God hates the sin not the sinner.” That is a lie from the Devil. The verse above makes it very clear just how deeply God hates wicked people; “HIS SOUL HATETH,” them the Bible says. That’s deep! God hates the wicked with His innermost being; His soul!

Again God’s hatred is not just for the sin but also for the willful sinner. No wonder those who deliberately keep on sinning have no forgiveness:

Hebrews 10:26-27 NLT “Dear friends, IF WE DELIBERATELY CONTINUE SINNING after we have received knowledge of the truth, THERE IS NO LONGER ANY SACRIFICE that will cover these sins. [27] There is only THE TERRIBLE EXPECTATION OF GOD’S JUDGMENT and the raging fire that will consume his enemies.”

Notice in the passage above if we continue sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, we’re done. Jesus’ sacrifice doesn’t cover these kinds of sins or the sinner. The only thing we can expect is God’s fiery Judgment. Because we are God’s enemies. And you’re listening to these fake preachers that are telling everyone, “God loves everybody?” “He’s not angry with you because of your sins?” When God Himself says, ‘I HATE THE WICKED? AND THOSE WHO LOVE VIOLENCE?’ Hmmmmmm.

“PEACE, PEACE,” WHEN THERE IS NONE

Jeremiah 6:14 NIV “They dress the wound of my people as though it were not serious. ‘Peace, peace,’ they say, when there is no peace.”

God told Jeremiah (His true prophet) that the priest and prophets were lying to people by telling them sweet religious phrases like, “Peace, peace,” when there was no peace. The nation was steeped in sin. The worse sins! These fake prophets were hurting the people by dressing up their wound instead of exposing it. They treated the people’s sins against the Lord like they were not serious. The Israelites were doing everything from murder, to adultery, to witchcraft, making their own children pass through the fire as human sacrifices to the false god Baal! They literally burned their children alive to a false deity as a burnt offering! (Jeremiah 19:5) And all these false priest and prophets had to say to the people were nice words of blessings and peace? 😣😤

The same goes on today. Instead of saying, “Peace, peace,” they say things like “Blessed, blessed.” “You’re blessed.” “I’m blessed.” “I’m blessed and highly favored.” “Praise the Lord.” “He’s my Jehovah Jireh.” “The Lord’s favor is with you,” “My God from Zion.” etcetera, you get the point. All of these sweet sounding cliches and blessings people heap on themselves and others are masking serious problems. The same ones Israel had. People believe the more holy they act the more they can hide their sins. And these fake preachers, false apostles, fake prophets and prophetesses are dressing up the wounds of the people like it’s not serious.

Jehu was not that kind of guy. He didn’t play with God or with unrepentant sinners. Listen to how he responded when he was addressed with this fake, “Peace, peace,” mess:

2 Kings 9:22 KJV “And it came to pass, when Joram saw Jehu, that he said, Is it peace, Jehu? And he answered, What peace, so long as the whoredoms of thy mother Jezebel and her witchcrafts are so many?”

Jehu didn’t play the fake religion game. He didn’t lavish on people phony praise and cliches. He rebuked and exposed evil. He knew there could be no fake peace with unrepentant sinners who were practicing witchcraft. May we follow his example.

Romans 16:17-18 NIV “I urge you, brothers and sisters, to WATCH OUT for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. KEEP AWAY FROM THEM. [18] For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. BY SMOOTH TALK and FLATTERY they DECEIVE THE MINDS OF NAIVE PEOPLE.”

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1 Corinthians 15:33 NIV “Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.”

The Devil is working very hard to entrap the children of God. One of his ways of doing this is through trojan horse friends. There are people who’s job is to get as close as they can to the Christian, pretend to be their friend, then set them up for the fall. We will discuss how to recognize these people and how God says to handle it.

FLATTERY

Proverbs 29:5 NIV “Those who flatter their neighbors are spreading nets for their feet.”

The world says, “Flattery will get you everywhere.” God says, “Those who flatter their neighbors are spreading nets for their feet.” Who do you believe, God or the world? When a person is always heaping compliments and praise upon you they are setting you up for the fall. They are hiding their true identity from you and you are their prey. You are the object of their evil designs. God says this, not me. I just happen to agree with Him. You don’t have to know which trap is being laid for you, just know that you’re being trapped when you’re being flattered. When this happens your red light (not yellow light) should always come on.

There are those who will overly pretend to admire your love for Jesus Christ; your Christian stance, yet they don’t exhibit the same love or take the same stance as Christians themselves. How can this be? How can they admire you so much and they aren’t Christians? Isn’t this just phony flattery? Jesus said:

Matthew 12:30 NIV “Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.”

Jesus said those who are not on his side are against Him. They’re on the other side. Believe Him! Again, they will overly pretend to agree with what you are saying, what you are preaching, how you live, etcetera, and don’t believe in none of these things themselves. Don’t ignore it when you hear the contradictions in their speech. Don’t ignore it when you see the contradictions in their behavior. They are setting you up for the fall. They are against Jesus. They are His enemies and they hate Him and you! They believe that by telling you how good you are (flattery), how well you know the Bible (flattery), how blessed you are (flattery), by praising you for how well you can preach the word unlike the other religious people out here (flattery), etcetera, all this is supposed to make you fond of them. If you are a shallow person all this false praise will work on you. And you will be trapped without ever seeing it coming:

John 12:43 KJV “For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.”

But if you are spiritual and have discernment the moment someone starts flattering you and blowing you up your red light will come on; you will be alerted by the Holy Spirit, and mark that individual. Be careful. Be very careful.

“I’M A CHRISTIAN TOO”

Romans 16:17-18 KJV “Now I beseech you, brethren, MARK THEM which CAUSE DIVISIONS and offences CONTRARY TO THE DOCTRINE which ye have learned; and AVOID THEM. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and BY GOOD WORDS AND FAIR SPEECHES DECEIVE THE HEARTS OF THE SIMPLE.”

God says to mark people who cause divisions; schisms, discord, heresies, foolish arguments, etcetera that go against the true doctrine of Christ. AVOID THEM GOD SAYS!!! God didn’t say hang around them and engage in foolish religious debates. He said emphatically to AVOID THEM. People who love to be right over and above what God’s word says are not serving our Lord but their own lusts. They have a hidden, secret agenda. They have been planted by Satan to trap you. God says they, “BY GOOD WORDS AND FAIR SPEECHES DECEIVE THE HEARTS OF THE SIMPLE.” They will flatter you to death! Literally! If you are simple. They will tell you feel good messages over and over like, “God loves you. He loves everybody. It doesn’t matter what you do or how you live.” “You are God’s child.” “We’re all God’s children.” But they will never tell you about your sins and the need to repent. But are these fluffy feel good phrases really what God says?

Psalm 11:5 “The LORD tests the righteous, but HIS SOUL HATES THE WICKED and the one who loves violence.”

1 John 3:10 KJV “In this the CHILDREN OF GOD are manifest, and the CHILDREN OF THE DEVIL: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.”

These are just two of many scriptures where God makes it very clear that, “HIS SOUL HATES THE WICKED,” and there are, “CHILDREN OF THE DEVIL,” on earth too. Anyone who says different and claims to be a believer, Christian, Pastor, elder, prophet, etcetera, is full of it. They are Trojan Horses and God says to avoid these people.

Interesting how some of these fakers act so pious and religious. Every word coming out of their mouths seem to be, “blessed,” and they use other religious phrases and cliches. They’re so blessed all the time. No, they’re so cursed! They are actors: hypocrites.

“I’M A PROPHET” TRICK

Then there are those who like to trick you through wearing religious titles. I had a guy recently try to befriend me. The other day he told me, “I’m a prophet. God uses me in the prophetic.” Immediately my red light came on. Why? Because someone was trying so hard through, “good words and fair speeches,” (Romans 16:18 KJV) to deceive me. He was trying to convince me of how godly and divinely inspired he is, instead of just being godly. Even during our conversations he would suddenly cut me off, close his eyes and say, “God just told me such and such.” He did this a few times. Or he would say, “I just heard in my spirit,” such and such and such. Yes, he would suddenly do this while we were talking. God stops him (according to him), puts him in a brief trance, and always tells him something VERY FLATTERING about me to say to me. Hmmmmmm. I’ve seen psychics and others in the occult do this but never a prophet of God. Hmmmmmm. And I’ve never read anywhere in the Bible that this is the practice of a prophet from God. I spoke to another guy who said he does the same thing to him while they’re speaking. And the man who said he is a prophet claims to be literally hearing the voice of God when he does this. It’s just like watching a channeler; a witch who says they’re communicating with the dead or spirits on the other side, or in another realm. Hmmmmmm. And this guy is a prophet? The man acts more like a witch, not a prophet. Now I’m thoroughly convinced that’s exactly what he is.

Jesus never went around saying, “I’m a prophet.” And he was The Greatest Prophet of all! Jesus’ apostles didn’t throw around religious titles. And they were indeed apostles. (Ephesians 4:11-12) They just did their jobs. But they did not glory in and wear religious titles in obedience to what Christ said in Matthew chapter 23. (Matthew 23:7-12) So what makes these scoundrels today think they can put titles on themselves, and demand that you recognize and call them by their titles? The answer is they are deceived and have fallen into the same pride as Satan the Devil.

A few days later I saw the guy who told me, “I’m a prophet,” and shared some passages with him including this one below:

Matthew 23:7-12 NIV “They love to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces and to be called ‘Rabbi’ by others. [8] “But YOU ARE NOT TO BE CALLED ‘RABBI,’ for you have one Teacher, and you are all brothers. [9] And DO NOT CALL ANYONE ON EARTH ‘FATHER,’ for you have one Father, and he is in heaven. [10] NOR ARE YOU TO BE CALLED INSTRUCTORS, for you have one Instructor, the Messiah. [11] The greatest among you will be your servant. [12] For THOSE WHO EXALT THEMSELVES WILL BE HUMBLED, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

It is clear here that Jesus is saying not to wear religious titles. Not to exalt ourselves. That all of us are brothers and sisters. None of us are above the other. Hypocrites exalt themselves. They demand to be called by religious titles. Hypocrites love the praise that comes from men more than the praise that comes from God. They are drawing people to themselves and away from God.

After I showed the guy the passage above he seemed to have a problem with it. He also disagreed with other things the Bible said. I decided to let what we discussed marinade a bit. A few days later I saw him, and the guy was still stuck on his titles, and the other things that he felt was ok to do that God’s word says is wrong. In fact he even tried to give me a religious title and I told him twice not to do it and why. This guy was trying to trap me through FLATTERY from the very beginning. Thank God it didn’t work.

Now there is only one thing left to do with this guy: that is do what God says, “AVOID THEM/HIM!!!” I didn’t have the opportunity to speak with him thoroughly when I saw him last and saw he hadn’t accepted what the scriptures said about these things. But I am looking forward to speaking with him again and letting him know that I will have nothing further to do with him; how displeased God is with him calling himself a prophet but he doesn’t obey God’s word, how this brings God’s fiery judgment, and how he needs to repent or else, and that’s it.

Beware of Trojan Horse Friends. They lead you astray and lead only to your downfall. Cut them off! Do what God commands: “AVOID THEM!!!” Keep them far away from you. Don’t care more about other people’s feelings than you do about your own soul. And don’t care more about other people’s feelings than you do about the feelings of Almighty God.

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Matthew 24:10-11 NIV “At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, [11] and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people.”

What time was Jesus talking about in the verse above when He said, “AT THAT TIME MANY WILL TURN AWAY FROM THE FAITH?” The time you and I are now living in; the last days, right before Christ returns. Need evidence we are living in, “THAT TIME?” Just read the 24th chapter of Matthew. In Matthew chapter 24 Jesus answers a question posed by his disciples: “Tell us, what will be the sign of your coming, and the end of the world?” (Matthew 24:3) Jesus listed various things that would signal His return. Among them is, “MANY,” or most, would TURN AWAY FROM THE FAITH, not come to it. Isn’t that what we are witnessing today? “MANY,” disowning faith in God and Jesus Christ? Jesus also said that, “MANY,” or most FALSE PROPHETS would be on the scene right before His coming, and they would mislead many. Isn’t that too what we are seeing today? Based on just these two things Jesus said would mark the last days of this world, wouldn’t it be difficult to find a true church?

THE GREAT FALLING AWAY

As we mentioned earlier Jesus prophesied that right before His return MANY would, “TURN AWAY FROM THE FAITH, and WILL BETRAY AND HATE EACH OTHER.” This matches up perfectly with what’s spoken about in 2 Thessalonians chapter 2:

2 Thessalonians 2:1-3 KJV “Now we beseech you, brethren, by THE COMING OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, and by our gathering together unto him, [2] That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. [3] Let no man deceive you by any means: for THAT DAY SHALL NOT COME, except THERE COME A FALLING AWAY FIRST, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition.”

Did you hear what the Holy Spirit said? ‘The day of Christ’s coming will not come, unless there FIRST come a FALLING AWAY.’ This is exactly what Jesus Himself uttered in Matthew 24. This time period of great rebellion against God is spoken of in many other places throughout the Bible:

2 Timothy 4:3-4 KJV “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.”

There it is again: God has for some time been saying that a time will come when people will no longer put up with true, sound doctrine or teaching about the faith. But will gather to themselves teachers that tell them what their itching ears want to hear. “And THEY SHALL TURN AWAY their ears from the truth.” Are you seeing from God’s written word why it’s so hard to find a good church today? Even a good person for that matter? The state of affairs we live in right now was prophesied by God long ago.

GOOD NEWS

The good news is Jesus says this time period of extreme rebellion and falling away from the faith signals His speedy return. This is good news to those who follow Jesus Christ whether they’ve found a good church or not. Just because we haven’t found a good fellowship doesn’t mean we don’t have fellowship with Jesus Christ. In fact there are, “MANY,” who think they’ve found the right church but don’t have a right relationship with God. They are misled by the false prophets and prophetesses that lead their churches. Jesus said this would mark our time. Too often people seek a good fellowship or church first, instead of seeking a good fellowship or relationship with God first. They are doing it backwards. They are depending on men to get them to God, instead of looking to Jesus Christ the only true way to God:

John 14:6 NIV “Jesus answered, “I AM THE WAY and the truth and the life. NO ONE COMES TO THE FATHER EXCEPT THROUGH ME.”

Jesus says He is the only way to God. He never said your religious denomination or special group is the way to Him. And yes, we are told in the scriptures not to forsake the gathering of ourselves together. (Hebrews 10:24-25) But that passage did not say to meet with a bunch of religious fakers just so you can boast, “I obey God, I go to church.” And by the way, who is the, “Ourselves,” we are commanded to gather together with in Hebrews 10:24-25? True believers. Not fake Christians. The Holy Spirit would never command us to gather with phonies. In fact there are many scripture passages where He tell us the very opposite:

Romans 16:17-18 NIV “I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. KEEP AWAY FROM THEM. [18] For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people.”

1 Corinthians 5:11-13 NIV “But now I am writing to you that YOU MUST NOT ASSOCIATE WITH anyone who claims to be a brother or sister but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or slanderer, a drunkard or swindler. Do not even eat with such people. [12] What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? [13] God will judge those outside. “EXPEL THE WICKED PERSON FROM AMONG YOU.”’

2 Timothy 3:5 NIV “Having a form of godliness but denying its power. HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH SUCH PEOPLE.”

2 John 1:7-11 NLT “I say this because many deceivers have gone out into the world. They deny that Jesus Christ came in a real body. Such a person is a deceiver and an antichrist. [8] Watch out that you do not lose what we have worked so hard to achieve. Be diligent so that you receive your full reward. [9] Anyone who wanders away from this teaching has no relationship with God. But anyone who remains in the teaching of Christ has a relationship with both the Father and the Son. [10] IF ANYONE COMES TO YOUR MEETING AND DOES NOT TEACH THE TRUTH ABOUT CHRIST, DON’T INVITE THAT PERSON INTO YOUR HOME or give any kind of encouragement. [11] Anyone who encourages such people becomes a partner in their evil work.”

Yes, we are commanded to meet with real believers (not fakers) where the true doctrine of Jesus Christ is being taught. If you find it very difficult to find this kind of fellowship in these last days I hope this article is providing some insight as to why. God Himself said:

Matthew 24:10-11 NIV “AT THAT TIME [the last days] MANY WILL TURN AWAY FROM THE FAITH and will betray and hate each other, [11] and MANY FALSE PROPHETS WILL appear and DECEIVE MANY PEOPLE.”

A TIME ORDAINED BY GOD

Today we are in a different time period ordained by God. This period is not the same as when the early church was experiencing all kinds of growth. No, our master Himself told us in the end time MANY WILL TURN AWAY FROM THE FAITH, not come to it. Believe His word. We cannot make things the way we want them to be. We cannot make this or that church fellowship (the people who meet there) what we want them to be. We must accept what is and what God has ordained:

Ecclesiastes 7:13-14 NIV “Consider what God has done: Who can straighten what he has made crooked? [14] When times are good, be happy; but when times are bad, consider this: God has made the one as well as the other. Therefore, no one can discover anything about their future.”

If you find a group of believers to meet with on a regular basis who are truly teaching God’s word that’s great. By all means continue to meet with them. These are the ones you are not to forsake gathering together with. But if you haven’t found such a fellowship like that yet don’t fret. Hopefully this article has helped you see why these believers are so hard to find. Rejoice that you have Jesus Christ who is the truth, the way, and the life. (John 14:6) Remember, no one can get to God except through Him alone, not some so-called right church group. And if you know just one other true brother or sister in the faith let these words of Jesus comfort you:

Matthew 18:19-20 NLT “I also tell you this: If two of you agree here on earth concerning anything you ask, my Father in heaven will do it for you. [20] For WHERE TWO OR THREE GATHER together as my followers, I AM THERE among them.”

Jesus said where just 2 or 3 of His followers gather together (have church) He is there among them. Do we believe Him? Or do we have to meet with 200, or 3,000 in a megachurch in order to feel like we’re worshipping God? The number of people we meet with is not what Jesus says constitutes Him being there. It can be just 2 or 3 He said. And if Jesus is not present in your meeting, are you really having church? Remember, Jesus said, “Where two or three gather together AS MY FOLLOWERS, I am there among them.” Want Jesus in your church meeting? Meet with people who follow Him.

KEEP IT SIMPLE

Sometimes we can’t find a good church because we are looking in all the wrong places. We may already have a good church and not even know it. If we know just one or a few real believers we can meet with them regularly. Do not forsake gathering together with them as God commands. In the early days of the church our brothers and sisters met everywhere and often met in each other’s houses:

Romans 16:3-5 NIV “Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my co-workers in Christ Jesus. [4] They risked their lives for me. Not only I but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them. [5] Greet also THE CHURCH THAT MEETS AT THEIR HOUSE. Greet my dear friend Epenetus, who was the first convert to Christ in the province of Asia.”

1 Corinthians 16:19 NIV “The churches in the province of Asia send you greetings. Aquila and Priscilla greet you warmly in the Lord, and so does THE CHURCH THAT MEETS AT THEIR HOUSE.”

Colossians 4:15 KJV “Salute the brethren which are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and THE CHURCH WHICH IS IN HIS HOUSE.”

It is clear form the above passages that the, “church,” met in each other’s homes. This shows that the church is not a building but rather the believers themselves. People meet in houses, physical buildings don’t meet in physical buildings. The church is not a physical building structure as some like to think it is. The church is you: every believer in Jesus Christ.

1 Peter 2:5 NLT “And you are living stones that God is building into his spiritual temple. What’s more, you are his holy priests. Through the mediation of Jesus Christ, you offer spiritual sacrifices that please God.”

Don’t let anyone deceive you by causing you to feel guilty because you don’t go to their fake church. You are God’s building, His spiritual temple, His church. And when we do find others we can fellowship with it doesn’t matter where we do it or how many of us meet. It can be just 2 or 3 as Jesus said. As long as we are followers of Jesus Christ that’s all that counts. And Jesus Himself is right there in our midst.

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Hebrews 6:13-14 NLT “For example, there was God’s promise to Abraham. Since there was no one greater to swear by, God took an oath in his own name, saying: [14] “I will certainly bless you, and I will multiply your descendants beyond number.”

God told Abraham he would multiply his descendants so much that no one can count them.

Genesis 15:5 KJV “And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be.”

What God told Abraham is very significant. We will see why later in this article. I hope it puts a warm feeling in your heart and a smile on your face when you see that as a believer in Jesus Christ this applies to you.

Abraham was an old man. His wife Sarah was old and barren. But when God promises you something your circumstances do not matter. Though Abraham and his wife Sarah were childless and well beyond childbearing years they did have a son named Isaac. He was a miracle baby. Isaac also later bore children who also bore children who also had children etcetera. These descendants all became known as the great nation of Israel. There was so many of them they were compared to the sands on a seashore. (1 Kings 4:20) But when God told Abraham that he would multiply his seed or offspring he was talking about something much more than this. Learning about and knowing this hidden mystery is super encouraging to all who believe in Jesus Christ today. What we’re about to discuss may affect you in ways you’ve never considered before. Lets see.

WHO REALLY ARE ABRAHAM’S DESCENDANTS?

Galatians 3:29 NIV “If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.”

Did you hear that? If you belong to Jesus Christ YOU ARE ABRAHAM’S SEED or descendants God says! And are heirs according to God’s promise. But wait a minute, “I thought that only Jews were the true descendants of Abraham since Abraham was a Jew?” This is what many say. But lets listen to what God’s word says:

Romans 2:28-29 KJV “For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.”

Whoa! God says being a jew outwardly does not make you a jew. But being one INWARDLY does. And this is an operation done on a person’s heart, not the flesh. This is done in the spirit. Wow! No wonder this is a great mystery. Because being a true jew has nothing to do with the obvious: your physical lineage. It is accomplished by God’s Holy Spirit, through belief in Jesus Christ.

Galatians 3:7-9 ESV “Know then that it is those of faith who are the sons of Abraham. And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “IN YOU SHALL ALL THE NATIONS BE BLESSED.” So then, those who are of faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.”

There it is again: ANYONE, whether jew or Gentile who has the faith (in Jesus Christ) are the real true sons and daughters of Abraham.

Now that we’ve established who Abraham’s descendants really are why is this so encouraging? First of all we know that God is not a racist who blesses only one group of people like some say He is. ANYONE can be saved. But it gets even better than that.

WHERE ARE WE IN HISTORY

Remember the promise God made to Abraham, “I will multiply your descendants BEYOND NUMBER,” and, “In you shall ALL THE NATIONS be blessed,” as we fast forward to the future and read Revelation chapter 7:

Revelation 7:9-12 KJV “After this I beheld, and, lo, A GREAT MULTITUDE, WHICH NO MAN COULD NUMBER, OF ALL NATIONS [sounds familiar?], and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; [10] And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb. [11] And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God, [12] Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.”

Look at this great multitude that NO ONE CAN COUNT, FROM ALL NATIONS, with all the other spirit beings praising God in heaven! This is what God was mainly talking about when he told Abraham long ago, “I will multiply your descendants BEYOND NUMBER,” and, “In you shall ALL THE NATIONS be blessed.” All these people in Revelation 7 are in heaven and victorious. Their sins are forgiven. They have conquered Satan and his beasts. They are Abraham’s true descendants!

It doesn’t matter if a person is a Jew, an African, an American, an African American, Latino, British, Indian, Russian, Asian, etcetera. As long as they have faith in Jesus Christ they are Abraham’s true seed. THIS IS THE GREAT MYSTERY: “CHRIST IN YOU.” And this is accomplished by God’s spirit. It has nothing to do with the flesh, or what’s on the outside. What a great mystery indeed!

Colossians 1:26-27 KJV “Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: [27] To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is CHRIST IN YOU, the hope of glory.”

“WHO ARE THEY AND WHERE DID THEY COME FROM?”

Revelation 7:13-15 KJV “And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they? [14] And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, THESE ARE THEY WHICH CAME OUT OF GREAT TRIBULATION, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. [15] Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them.”

One of the elder spirits asked John in the vision, ‘Who are these and where did they come?’ referring to those before God’s throne which no man could count from all the nations. John didn’t know. Then the spirit told him, “These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.” In places like Matthew 24, Mark chapter 13, and Luke 21, Jesus spoke of a time of tribulation or great suffering that would come on the earth before his return. These victorious descendants of Abraham are those who endured and came out of that tribulation. If you read Matthew 24, Mark 13, or Luke 21, you will undoubtedly see that we are presently in the time Jesus spoke about and His return is near. Hence these glorious ones we see in Revelation 7 before the throne of God are you and me if we endure and keep our faith to the end. We will have the magnificent privilege of serving God IN HEAVEN FOREVER, and living with Him. 😉

WHY IS THIS SUPER ENCOURAGING?

Remember guys, these who came out of great tribulation in the end times are, “A GREAT MULTITUDE, WHICH NO MAN CAN NUMBER?” This means there are way more of us out there than we realize. Yes! We are not alone. Only a few will be saved Jesus said (Matthew 7:13-14) in comparison to everyone who has ever lived, but He also tells us there will be a great throng praising God before his throne in heaven who have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the lamb, people that came out of that end time period called, “Great tribulation.” We are not as much the minority as we sometimes think based on God’s word in Revelation chapter 7. There are way more of us out there than the media would also have us believe. But remember who runs the media.

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Isiah 28:16 ISV “Therefore this is what the LORD God says: “‘Look! I am laying a foundation stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation: Whoever believes firmly will not act hastily.'”

Acting hastily or panicking comes from worry. The person who believes in the precious stone Jesus Christ will not worry. They will wait on the Lord. They will cast their burdens and cares on him knowing he can handle them. When we act out of desperation we are not believing in Jesus Christ. And desperate decisions will always lead to trouble.

Believing in Jesus the Chief cornerstone means we obey his commands. Listen to what Jesus commands about worry:

Matthew 6:25-34 KJV “Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? [26] Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? [27] Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? [28] And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: [29] And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. [30] Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? [31] Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? [32] (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. [33] But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. [34] Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.”

WOW!!! There’s the antidote for worry: ‘seeking first God’s kingdom and his righteousness.’ Jesus promises if we do this everything we need WILL BE GIVEN TO US. Do we believe Him? Will we seek what God wants above what we want or need?

PRAYER WARRIORS OR PRAYER WORRIERS?

I know of people who hide they’re worry by calling themselves, “Prayer Warriors.” They fast and pray publicly. They even pray in tongues for long periods of time publicly. Yet when they come out of these prayer sessions they are still filled with worry. Instead of being prayer warriors they are really PRAYER WORRIERS. And they are going against everything Jesus says.

PRAYING

Matthew 6:5-7 KJV “And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are : for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. [6] But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. [7] But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.”

FASTING

Matthew 6:16-18 NIV “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. [17] But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, [18] so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”

SPEAKING IN TONGUES

1 Corinthians 14:27-28 KJV “If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret. [28] But IF THERE BE NO INTERPRETER, LET HIM KEEP SILENCE in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.”

1 Corinthians 14:6-9 NLT “Dear brothers and sisters, if I should come to you speaking in an unknown language, how would that help you? But if I bring you a revelation or some special knowledge or prophecy or teaching, that will be helpful. [7] Even lifeless instruments like the flute or the harp must play the notes clearly, or no one will recognize the melody. [8] And if the bugler doesn’t sound a clear call, how will the soldiers know they are being called to battle? [9] It’s the same for you. If you speak to people in words they don’t understand, how will they know what you are saying? You might as well be talking into empty space.”

1 Corinthians 14:23 KJV “If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad?”

Some think that because of how hard they pray, or that they’ve fasted, or prayed in tongues, etcetera, they can force God’s hand to do exactly what they want. For example, they may have a son, a daughter, or a spouse who they say has strayed from the faith or doesn’t attend church anymore. They believe that by praying and fasting all the time their loved ones will repent. Many aren’t aware that this is not spiritual prayer warfare but is spiritual prayer witchcraft! Yes. Witches do things like these. Witches and wizards believe that by doing certain rituals (even prayers) they can control future events and the fates of others. Those who think like this and call themselves, “prayer warriors,” should become students of God’s word. If they were they would not worry about things so much. They wouldn’t be so obsessed with the lives of others either. These people are really control freaks. God makes it very clear in His word that no amount of rituals, prayers, and fastings can force His hand when it comes to how He deals with us and others:

Ezekiel 18:20 KJV “The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him.”

Psalm 49:7 ISV “No man can redeem the life of another, nor can he give to God a sufficient payment for him.”

If we accept what God says in the verses above we will know that no amount of prayer and fasting can force His hand to make someone else repent or do whatever we want them to do. God allows all of us to make our own choice.

Joshua 24:14-15 KJV “Now therefore fear the Lord, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the Lord. [15] And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

Each one of us are rewarded according to our own iniquity or righteousness God says. People have been falsely taught that they’re intercessory prayers, they’re fasting, their faithful deeds, speaking in tongues, etcetera, are a COVERING for the people they earnestly pray for. They have been tricked into trying to do the redeeming work of Jesus Christ. He is our COVERING! His death and shed blood is the only thing that COVERS us and our sins. He is our high priest and intercessor who intercedes for us before God and for the sins of all mankind. Forgiveness of sins is granted only to those who believe in Jesus and what He did for them when he shed His righteous blood.

John 3:16 NIV “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that WHOEVER BELIEVES in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

The one that BELIEVES in Jesus will not perish but has eternal life. The scriptures do not say the one who is, “COVERED,” by the prayers and fasting or speaking in tongues of his/her grandmother has eternal life. It didn’t say the one who is, “COVERED,” by the prayers and fasting of their mother or father or brother or sister will not perish. Only those who believe in Jesus the Messiah for themselves will not perish but be saved.

Make no mistake; we should all pray for one another always the Bible says. (Ephesians 6:18) These prayers are very powerful and very effective. (James 5:16-18) But don’t get it twisted either, God never said that intercessory prayers and fasting takes the place of the ransom sacrifice of Jesus Christ. He never said that our righteousness, our prayers, are a, “COVERING,” or can REDEEM another. This is false teaching. In fact He says the very opposite, “No man can redeem the life of another!” (Psalm 49:7 ISV) What Jesus did on THE CROSS IS THE TRUE COVERING, the only sacrifice for our sins. To practice fasting and praying or speaking in tongues to do this is practicing witchcraft! It is heresy! And many need to repent from it.

Each individual must accept JESUS THE TRUE COVERING for his/her sins in order to be saved. Accepting this truth keeps us from excessively worrying about the salvation of others. Some of our true brethren have fallen down or backslidden. But they will get back up again. But some who have fallen away never belonged to us in the first place:

1 John 2:19 KJV “They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.”

The truth conquers worry. The truth sets us free. Let’s always pray for one another. God commands this. (Ephesians 6:18) But lets not obsessively worry about each other, or anything. Worry is not God’s will. Worry says we are not trusting God. And lastly Jesus told us that worry can not change anything. (Matthew 6:27)

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Numbers 23:13-26 KJV “And Balak said unto him, Come, I pray thee, with me unto another place, from whence thou mayest see them: thou shalt see but the utmost part of them, and shalt not see them all: and curse me them from thence. [14] And he brought him into the field of Zophim, to the top of Pisgah, and built seven altars, and offered a bullock and a ram on every altar. [15] And he said unto Balak, Stand here by thy burnt offering, while I meet the Lord yonder. [16] And the Lord met Balaam, and put a word in his mouth, and said, Go again unto Balak, and say thus. [17] And when he came to him, behold, he stood by his burnt offering, and the princes of Moab with him. And Balak said unto him, What hath the Lord spoken? [18] And he took up his parable, and said, Rise up, Balak, and hear; hearken unto me, thou son of Zippor: [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? [20] Behold, I have received commandment to bless: and he hath blessed; and I cannot reverse it. [21] He hath not beheld iniquity in Jacob, neither hath he seen perverseness in Israel: the Lord his God is with him, and the shout of a king is among them. [22] God brought them out of Egypt; he hath as it were the strength of an unicorn. [23] SURELY THERE IS NO ENCHANTMENT AGAINST JACOB, NEITHER IS THERE ANY DIVINATION AGAINST ISRAEL: according to this time it shall be said of Jacob and of Israel, What hath God wrought! [24] Behold, the people shall rise up as a great lion, and lift up himself as a young lion: he shall not lie down until he eat of the prey, and drink the blood of the slain. [25] And Balak said unto Balaam, Neither curse them at all, nor bless them at all. [26] But Balaam answered and said unto Balak, Told not I thee, saying, All that the Lord speaketh, that I must do?”

Luke 6:46 NIV “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?”

If I had a dollar for every person I meet who says they’re a Christian but do not study the Bible, I’d have a whole year’s wages.

2 Timothy 2:15 KJV “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

There’s a simple command from God: “Study.” This is one reason why people who claim to know Jesus don’t know Him at all, they do not study His words. All of Jesus words are found in the Bible from the first book of Genesis to the last book called Revelation. Jesus is indeed THE LIVING WORD OF GOD. (John 1:1-2,14)

John 1:14 KJV “And THE WORD WAS MADE FLESH, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.”

When we say that Jesus is our Lord; our king, and we don’t care to follow His commands, we are liars! It’s one thing to get off course, humbly recognize it, confess our sin, and repent. It’s entirely another thing to be off course (or you never were on course in the first place), and go around saying, “I love the Lord,” “I’m a Christian,” “I’m serious about my relationship with God,” “God’s on my side,” “God knows my heart,” “God is my Father,” etcetera, and you don’t even study God’s word the Bible. ANYONE who does this is DECEIVED!!! How do you know what your, “Father,” is saying to you if you’re not even listening to His words? Oh, I forgot, ‘God knows your heart.’ You’re right, he does know it. Listen to what he says about the human heart:

Jeremiah 17:9 KJV “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?

Yes, God knows your and my heart alright! He knows how deceitful and desperately wicked it is, ABOVE ALL THINGS! Do you and I know this? Do we know how much our hearts are deceiving us when we don’t study God’s word? People who have been fooled into thinking they have a good relationship with God but won’t study His words are trusting in themselves; their hearts, their feelings and emotions. No wonder the Bible says the person who trusts in himself (in his own heart) is a fool.

Proverbs 28:26 KJV “He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.”

HERE’S A SECRET

Let me share a secret with you, a secret that God shared with me: people who have chosen to live for sin can’t stand the Bible (Jesus the living word of God) because it condemns them and their wicked behavior. Who wants to keep reading a book that explains God’s fiery judgment upon them for rejecting Him? On the other hand, the person who has truly dedicated himself/herself to the Father, the person who has truly made Jesus their LORD, loves studying God’s word. Instead of the word condemning them it encourages them. The word gives them comfort. God’s word speaks peace and blessings to those who are dedicated to Him. Jesus Himself said it better this way:

John 3:19-21 KJV “And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. [20] For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. [21] But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.”

Jesus is the living word of God! He is the light of the world. Children of darkness hate the light. This is why people who are sold out to darkness and sin cannot study the Bible, properly understand it, or correctly explain it. The Bible and Jesus are one and the same; the true light of this world! God’s living word (Jesus) reproves and exposes all sin and evil in the hopes of getting people to repent and be saved. Those who love sin can’t stand being reproved.

ANOTHER SPECIAL GROUP

Then there’s another special group; people who read the Bible til they’re blue in the face but can’t understand it. (2 Timothy 3:7-8) Because they too love darkness they are misled by Satan into believing they do have proper understanding. They think they have cracked all the secret codes in the Bible. They attempt to explain all the deep secrets and prophesies, but don’t have a clue of what they are talking about. Their knowledge is for show. They love getting into debates about scripture and things of God. They also use God’s word to control people. They are false prophets, witches, and wizards, just like Jannes and Jambres who opposed Moses. They are always learning but never coming to an accurate knowledge of the truth. And some of us listen to them regularly on TV, on radio podcasts, through other forms of social media, we read their books, etcetera. But of course we do. We have to! We’re too lazy to obey Jesus command to pick up the word of God and study it for ourselves. So we have to let someone else tell us what it means, and are cursed because of our disobedience. Yes, God let’s us come under a curse by getting hoodwinked through these false prophets and magicians. (2 Thessalonians 2:11-12) We and they are headed straight to hell (If we do not repent).

Matthew 15:14 NIV “Leave them; they are blind guides. If the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit.”

There’s another command from our, “LORD,” Jesus. He says to leave the false prophets; the blind guides, the fake religious leaders. And he guarantees us that when we follow a blind guide BOTH OF US WILL FALL INTO THE PIT!!! Not just the blind guide. Will we obey LORD Jesus? Is he really our Lord? Or will we stay in that false church and keep listening to those blind guides because that’s where our family and friends are? Or that’s where our business relationships are? Hmmmmm. Is Jesus really your Lord?

BE A BEREAN

Acts 17:11 KJV “These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.”

These folks who lived in Berea were noble God said. Why? Because they readily received the message about Jesus preached by the apostle Paul? NO! Because THEY PICKED UP THEIR SCRIPTURES D A I L Y to see if what Paul said was true or not! They used the scriptures as their reference point (not pastor Paul’s words). The Bereans didn’t do what many do today; “MY PASTOR SAID such and such and such ….”

Just so happens what Paul preached matched the scriptures verbatim. But how would the Bereans know this if they never studied the scriptures for themselves? Do you and I use the Bible as our reference point for EVERYTHING people say about God? If we do we are wise and noble too. But if we eat up like spaghetti what people tell us about God and don’t check the Bible to see if it’s true we are being foolish. Some of us are being plain stupid because we know better. We’re just too lazy to study the scriptures for ourselves. And some of us are just plain phony if we say we are believers but don’t study God’s word. We hate God and we know it. But we want others around us to think we are Christians. If we are guilty of any of these we need to repent before it is too late!

I’ll share another secret with you God shared with me: many who claim to be Christians have never been born again in the first place. They will tell you the reason they don’t read the Bible is because they’ve backslidden. But that’s a lie. Many of them have never front-slidden. They’ve never received Jesus Christ in their life. It’s been all a show for them. They’ve never had a hunger for God’s word. They’ve never studied His words on a regular basis or tried to obey His commandments. And these wicked people call themselves Christians.

You cannot obey God’s greatest commandment to love–let alone love your enemies–and not be a student of God’s word. This is hard even for those who study the Bible everyday. You cannot forgive others. You will not be able to follow Jesus commands about lust, idolatry, greed, etcetera, and not be a student of Christ. You don’t have what it takes to do so; God’s word is not stored in your heart:

Psalm 119:11 KJV “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.”

Until we make an honest commitment to God; to live for Him, we will not study His words. Hence we will never have the power it takes to obey Him. Guys if this is you please repent. Please commit your life to God and let Him renew your mind and give you a new spirit. Pray to Him like David did:

Psalm 51:9-10 KJV “Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. [10] Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.”

God will respond:

Ezekiel 11:19 NIV “I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh.”

Don’t be one of the folks in the next verse below. When Jesus returns they will be utterly shocked. Why? Because they thought they had a relationship with God only to find out they were living in lah lah land the whole time. They played with God so much throughout life that He cursed them, causing them to believe their lie:

Matthew 7:21-23 NIV “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. [22] Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ [23] Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'”

Luke 6:46 NIV “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?”

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