What Is The Greater Work?

I woke up this morning with God showing me the importance of our faithfulness to Him.

2 Chronicles 16:9 God is always on the alert, constantly on the lookout for people who are totally committed to Him. MSG

Have we any idea what is so vitally important to God? I don’t think we do. We only know what He shows us about Himself and what He shows us I believe is according to how faithful we are to Him.

I feel like I have missed it, and missed it, and… missed it, so I am no way referring to me when I speak, but I am referencing what I believe God is showing me this morning.

Look with me at Matthew 25 go ahead read the whole chapter and then come back here and join me.

First the whole chapter is a warning to be ready for His return and in doing so we will have to have done His work.

Next thing I want to reference —do you see that in verse 14 Jesus went on a trip and when He returns we are going to be judge according to whether we did our assignment or not? Do you see that if we are unfaithful to do what He has called us to do, if we quit we will be flung into the outer darkness?

That was the exact knowing I had this morning from God and the knowing that if I expected Him to do things for me, and if I were to be right with Him then I have to be faithful to do what He has called me to do.

I know that people do not think this account is truly God’s way — as well nothing is expected of them other than to wait for Jesus to come get them. Many think a prayer is their salvation, but that thinking does not compare to the Word.

We have to read the Word and know the Word of God so that we won’t live without His wisdom. No one wants to be thrown into the outer darkness where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth, but it is possible if we won’t heed His voice, that we could be that one thrown into the outer darkness.

What many don’t take serious enough is that God has something for us to do for Him. I know it seems scary that God would ask us to work for Him, which may look like having no provision and that we will go without, but I want to declare to you today that, that is just not true but a lie to keep you from doing the will of God.

If you ever obeyed God and have been rewarded you will know He is the same for all He instructs you to do. You will see your provision when you do the work He has called you to do when He calls you to do it, and you will see it pressed down shaken together and running over.

Jesus is about to return and it seems to me He has something for us to do to help prepare for His return. He is looking for mature committed ones to do His work for Him before He gets here.

Really if you know Him, you already know that. If you sit with and hear Him then you know He is looking to you, to trust to do His work.

Jesus said whoever believes in Me will do greater things. Thus if we believe then we will be doing a greater work, we won’t be sitting around waiting for Him to come and then He come and we have to say, sorry I didn’t care about what You cared about only what You could do for me.

Working for Him, doing what He did is so much greater than anything. Doing the importance of life Jesus talked about in Matthew 6, instead of worry is doing the greater thing which is to love.

When we love God with all of our heart, soul, and mind is when we will grow in the wisdom of His greater challenge of love, because loving Him is —caring about what He cares about.

My son is doing a dead hang challenge to increase from one minute of hanging on a bar, to an extra 10 seconds everyday.

How can we compare that to what God is saying to us, I feel like at least He is saying this to me today, to increase in the greater work—that is His love be known without error everywhere, be displayed to each person more and more each day.

Instead of paying attention to our own interests He asks that we are interested in Him and His quest to reach everyone with His greatness —His standard of love.

Challenge —increase ten seconds a day toward that greater work, the highest standard of love.

God What Do I Do?

My son was having a seizure when I shouted out to God in desperation, “God what do I do?” Instantly He said, “Bind the enemy!” So I was stern and I said, “SATAN I BIND YOU IN JESUS NAME”, BOOM! He was gone and my son was back to normal.

How amazing God is, so faithful, so true to His Word. I am so grateful that I can go to Him in my time of need and He is there for me. I love how fast He answers, and especially that day in what could have been disastrous, He made it easy. What could have been doctor visits, stress, hospitals, tests, drugs with side effects and a label for life, God fixed in a second with a Word!

Who else could have given me a better answer? Who else is all knowing and completely in love with me and wants me to have the fullest best answer? HIM! He is in love with me. He just is! And He is you!

God always has the right answer and we can always go to Him. We can always find out from Him what we need in any situation and quickly. God always has an answer, He is always right, and He is always right there, a thought away!

He is waiting for us to come to Him, to rely on Him in anything and everything! Didn’t Jesus say that? He did (Matthew 11:29-30).

I remember times that God answered my questions even before I had a chance to ask Him. Talk about a thought away, who is closer to you than God?

God so wants us to not only know Him, but to have a tight relationship with Him. He doesn’t want to be just a contact, but a close enduring friend. One that we can not only count on, but He wants us —to be one He can trust.

When I got really serious about God, I asked Him plenty of questions because I wanted to know how to live in His Kingdom where His blessings flow. In my undertake I found that God is looking to and fro through out the earth trying to find someone He can trust. Here I was looking to receive from Him and find that He too is looking to receive from me. I was longing to have what He had and found out He longs to have me and what I have.

What do I have? Only what He gave me. Is what He gave me valuable to Him? Whatever He put in me is a part of Him, He crafted me and gifted me and so I belong to Him and yes, I am a part of Him so I am not only valuable but I am cherished. Now whoever you cherish—you want to be cherished by?

God, He longs that I be faithful and devoted to Him to cherish Him as He does me. He longs to be able to trust me, as I know I can trust Him.

God taught me everything I know, and what I know makes me grateful. I am so grateful I can go to Him with anything and He is there for me.

Today I want to encourage you to go to Him —and in your adventure in doing so you too, will find that He is not only there for you with open arms, but He longs to be able to count on you. Cherished and to be cherished—love is.

James 1:5 If any of you is deficient in wisdom, let him ask of the giving God [Who gives] to everyone liberally and ungrudgingly, without reproaching or faultfinding, and it will be given him. AMPC

There Was Nothing I Could Do

When my son was born he was born with a birth defect. As soon as the doctor told me what was wrong with him God showed up and comforted me by telling me I would see my son healed. He also said there was nothing He could do.

It seemed strange that God would say there was nothing He could do, but I didn’t question Him at the time because I was more focused on Him telling me I would see my son healed.

When I didn’t see my son healed right away I started seeking God as to why. I lived on James 1:5 and still do. If you lack wisdom you can go to the giving God and Who gives to all liberally without fault finding.

God showed me that there was nothing He could do because of my disobedience. He said to change my circumstances, I would have to learn how to live my life His way. Then, He said I would see my son healed and live blessed in every area of my life. His blessings He said are inside of His Kingdom. When we obey Him, He lives in us and when He lives in us then we are living in His Kingdom and in agreement with Him. When we are in agreement with Him, He lives in us and we in Him and then we can ask anything and He will do it and, we glorify the Father (John 15:1-8).

God asked me to share this truth with you today concerning our eternity with Him. When we don’t do what He tells us to do, in any area of our lives then we stand in the place of disregarding His command and He will have to say away from Me I never knew you. He doesn’t want to say that but He will have to, there will be nothing He can do if we disregard His command.

God is warning us now to prepare for His return. He calling us to be right with Him so He doesn’t have to reject us. Don’t disregard anything He tells you to do. If there is something that seems too hard then ask Him to help you to do it and He will.

I didn’t understand what He meant when He said there was nothing He could do then, but now it is so very clear if we are not in agreement with Him (John 15:6) then we are in rejecting Him and He will have to on that day, reject us.

Now is the time for us to prepare for His return by doing all He has commanded us to do, not some of what He commands (because if we break one law we break all the law James 2:10) but all of what He commands.

Matthew 7;21 Not everyone who says to Me, Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father Who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me on that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name and driven out demons in Your name and done many mighty works in Your name? 23 And then I will say to them openly (publicly), I never knew you; depart from Me, you who act wickedly [disregarding My commands]. AMPC

DON’T WORRY ABOUT TOMORROW TODAY

Matthew 6:34 So do not worry or be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will have worries and anxieties of its own. Sufficient for each day is its own trouble. AMPC

So when God gave me this Word today in asking Him what He wanted to teach us I felt led to read the Message translation. MSG

Matthew 6:34 “Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.

Then I heard Him say this is exactly what I am saying. Wow I thought, of course —this is what He has been saying to me the last three years. You are so anxious about your life, if you only knew all those things I have already worked out and even more importantly I am coming —if you should be anxious about anything, be anxious about that.

Are you ready for My return. Are you on the narrow path pressing into eternity, or are you caught up with the rest of the world in worrying about your clothes, your house, your car, what job you will do, or where you will go to school?

If you would give your attention to Me, as in ask Me I would tell you all those things and the good plan I already have made just for you. I already made provision for what is important to you. I know the clothes you like, the house you would want. I have a car for you and a job for you to do. I know what is important to you and have more for you than you can ask or think, but if you spend all your time worrying about these futile things than I can’t do My plan for you.

Why? Because you have your own plan and you make such a big deal of those things I have already made provision for, they actually become your god.

I have a plan and a thing for you to do for Me that will have everything to do with your provision, including your happiness, peace, joy, and contentment.

But, as you seek things by worrying about them, you are doing exactly opposed to My will, seeking another god, in which then I can’t be your God.

I have given you your freedom because I love you. You can choose Me and know that when you do I will give you all you need and want, you will have everything when you have Me.

Or you can choose your way and struggle, trying to do for yourself what I already made provision for, for you.

My advice, just get through today paying attention to Me, seek Me and then tomorrow will surprise you of it’s beauty.

Give Me a chance and see what I will do for you.

Whose Side Are You On Anyway?

Matthew 12:30 He who is not with Me [definitely on My side] is against Me, and he who does not [definitely] gather with Me and for My side scatters. AMP

Matthew 12:30 “This is war, and there is no neutral ground. If you’re not on my side, you’re the enemy; if you’re not helping, you’re making things worse. MSG

Jesus is very explicit about what He is saying. But at the same time as I sat with Him today there is a much deeper revelation here than what we can see without Him.

As I sat and listened to what He was saying to me today I felt very convicted by His correction. What I heard Him say seemed to be somewhat sarcastic, “Whose side are you on anyway?”

In context, after being accused by the Pharisees to be in cahoots with Satan, Jesus was sarcastic as He told them there is a clear difference between Satan and God and they have absolutely nothing in common.

When I read this account the first time and the second time it wasn’t the same as when I read it the third time. The third time I heard, “Now, in this day there is not a clear difference between a believer and an unbeliever, one who serves God and one who serves the enemy.”

Jesus said if we are Christians then we will look like Him. We’ll sound like Him and act like Him. If we are Christians, if we’re Christ-like then we will clearly be on His side. But most of who say they are Christians don’t look like Jesus or act like Him because they are not Spirit controlled but flesh controlled.

What He is saying is we don’t live on His side looking to please Him so much as we want to impress each other. In fact we are so busy impressing each other we live in jealousy and contention with each other.

We’re actually so self absorbed we consider His instructions, how they may make us look before we think we would do what He tells us to do. We consider rather than obey.

We don’t humble ourselves before God, but before man. We don’t let God exalt us we exalt ourselves which makes us like the devil.

Didn’t he want to be God? Yes and he still wants to be god. That is why he works so hard to control us, and as we bow down to his control he is our god.

Our choice is the same as Adam and Eve’s. We can be dominated by the flesh or the Spirit. We can exalt ourselves or humble ourselves before God and when it is time He will exalt us. Not because we are something great without Him, but because we are valuable to Him, He is in love with us and wants only to do good in us.

When we submit to Him letting Him have His way in our lives He will bring us up to His higher way of living. Then just like you brag on your children, He will brag on His. He will brag on you when you rely on Him and His standards becoming all He created you to be. When you do that great thing He designed for only you to do, you will make Him proud as you show who He is in you.

I like how the message reads; if we are not helping then we are just making things worse. I like it because I know that is what Jesus is saying to us. “If you call yourself Christians and still you let the enemy control you, you are actually magnifying him rather than Me, who’s side are you on anyway?”

When I heard God give me this title, it sounded sort of harsh so I tried to soften it by taking away the word, anyway. But as I listened to Him show me how He felt I realized I had to put the word anyway back.

He is displeased with us who claim to be His but act like the devil. We say we are Christians but we don’t surrender. We don’t humble ourselves, but we exalt ourselves, forcing Him to say “Whose side are you on anyway?”


READY OR NOT HERE I AM

Revelation 16:15 Behold, I am going to come like a thief! Blessed (happy, to be envied) is he who stays awake (alert) and who guards his clothes, so that he may not be naked and [have the shame of being] seen exposed!

One of these days it will be ready or not here I Am. It isn’t that we hadn’t had plenty of warning though. Through out Jesus’ ministry while He was here He warned that this day would come and like a thief in the night. Meaning if we are not ready, on guard — then is when we will be exposed. Were we for real, a true follower of His, alert guarding our clothes? Were we clothed in Him —or not?

If we’re not alert, if we are not watching we are going to be exposed on that day of our —without Him state. We are going to be ashamed that we didn’t take heed to His Word, but instead conformed to the world.

Do you know why many conform? It is because they don’t have a vision for eternity, and they don’t have a vision because they don‘t take God seriously enough to look at the Word (the Word is God) to get that vision.

Many think Christianity is a prayer and that prayer is their ticket to heaven. They think there is nothing they have to do except say that prayer of salvation and they‘re set.

Believing that lie is due to not looking at the Word themselves. Not having their own relationship with Jesus, but letting someone else know Jesus for them.

If you look at the Word yourself you will see what the truth is —and that you have an assignment, a personal assignment from Him.

It is not to just wait for Him, but wait on Him as He waits on us. How? In serving as He serves. Your call is not to have your feet washed — but to wash feet.

If one would be in relationship with Jesus that one would hear Him weep and morn for what is about to happen to His people. Those who won’t take heed to His love appointment, He is crying for. He doesn’t want to come like a thief in the night, but it will only be that way if one personally makes it that way.

Didn’t Jesus say that the Holy Spirit will tell us things to come? He did (John 16:13). Didn’t He say I no longer call you My servants but friends because a servant doesn’t know his masters business? He did (John 15:15). Did He say I will come as a thief in the night, therefore watch? He did, Matthew 24:42-44, Matthew 25:13 and many other times).

The answer is watch, be in communication with Him, know Him, serve, so that you are not in the dark. Paul said that about us who believe, we’re not in the dark, but we know and we are to watch.

1 Thessalonians 5 But as to the suitable times and the precise seasons and dates, brethren, you have no necessity for anything being written to you. 2 For you yourselves know perfectly well that the day of the [return of the] Lord will come [as unexpectedly and suddenly] as a thief in the night. 3 When people are saying, All is well and secure, and, There is peace and safety, then in a moment unforeseen destruction (ruin and death) will come upon them as suddenly as labor pains come upon a woman with child; and they shall by no means escape, for there will be no escape. 4 But you are not in [given up to the power of] darkness, brethren, for that day to overtake you by surprise like a thief. 5 For you are all sons of light and sons of the day; we do not belong either to the night or to darkness. 6 Accordingly then, let us not sleep, as the rest do, but let us keep wide awake (alert, watchful, cautious, and on our guard) and let us be sober (calm, collected, and circumspect). 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who are drunk, get drunk at night. 8 But we belong to the day; therefore, let us be sober and put on the breastplate (corset) of faith and love and for a helmet the hope of salvation. 9 For God has not appointed us to [incur His] wrath [He did not select us to condemn us], but [that we might] obtain [His] salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah) AMPC

Be ready He is coming, just like in the day of Noah they were unaware of hour. For those unaware of the hour it will be like a thief in the night that He, Jesus will come.

Praise the Lord He is warning us now before it is too late!

BE DOERS OF THE WORD NOT HEARERS ONLY

James 1:22 But be doers of the Word [obey the message], and not merely listeners to it, betraying yourselves [into deception by reasoning contrary to the Truth]. AMPC

Being a doer of the Word of God is vital to being right with God and living with Him for eternity. Because, if we are not a doer of the Word we are not on God’s side but the side of the enemy. If we’re not a doer of the Word we will live contrary to the truth. If we don’t do the Word we will not have the revelation knowledge we need to live in the light here which leads to our eternity there— with Him.

We might not realize it, but this is the truth. Jesus said either you are for Me or against Me (Luke 11:23). That means if we’re a non-doer of the Word then we’re non-Jesus. He said if you love Me you will obey Me (John 14:21), so if we look at the opposed of that statement, if we don’t love Him we will dismiss His Word and if we dismiss His Word we are against Him.

I know we don’t intend to be a non-doer of the Word and that we have help from the enemy to disregard the Word, but it is up to us to walk circumspect! It is up to us to be fully committed to what we believe in without excuse, because we have the King living on the inside of us to do for us what we can’t do ourselves.

If we believe in Jesus then we have to commit to know His Word (Romans 10:17) and then do it. Believing is an action (James 2:17)!

Jesus loves us and gave His life for us, now if we love Him we will give our life to Him by committing to Him. Commit by representing Him fully in action, the action of believing which is hearing and doing His Word. When we hear and do His Word, not only does that show Jesus we love Him, but we are representing Him to those who don’t know Him. That is a greater work and our call as Christians.

If we are not hearers and doers of His Word, not only are we deceived but we are deceiving others who don’t know Him. If we say we are a Christian but don’t do the Word of God, we are actually a misrepresenting His Name, because we really are not a Christian if we don’t do the Word of God.

God is in this last day expecting we get ready for His return. How? Be a doer of His Word, not just a hearer. If you do the Word you will hear more Word (Mark 4:24-25) and when you hear you will be given your instruction, your part to usher in the King (Jeremiah 29:11).

The time is short, get a vision for your path to eternity (Ephesians 2:10).

Matthew 7:21 Not everyone who says to Me, Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father Who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me on that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name and driven out demons in Your name and done many mighty works in Your name? 23 And then I will say to them openly (publicly), I never knew you; depart from Me, you who act wickedly [disregarding My commands]. AMPC

In Pursuit Of Jesus Or Money

James 1:11 For the sun comes up with a scorching heat and parches the grass; its flower falls off and its beauty fades away. Even so will the rich man wither and die in the midst of his pursuits.

This makes me think of how it will be when Jesus comes.  We will be doing our thing, running in circles trying to provide for ourselves.  In the midst of seeking riches and right in the middle of it— just like in the day of Noah, a storm will hit.  Suddenly all those things that ruled our lives are not important anymore, in fact instantly vanish from our minds.

I can see it now, people running to find shelter, to find their loved ones, dropping their purses, their shopping bags, falling to their knees in repentance!

I also think of how cozy our lives can be now, but what good does that do if we spend our lives in hell when we leave here?  From a warm cozy bed, a cup of hot chocolate by a warm fire to hell where there is no escape, no turning back.

Forget the stuff and pursue Jesus Now before it’s too late!

Believe

John 3: 16 For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He [even] gave up His only begotten ([unique) Son, so that whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life.  AMPC

Believing in Jesus is more than just a prayer saying we believe.  Believing in Jesus is agreeing with Him by living His way in His Kingdom right here and now on the earth.

When we make it our quest to know Jesus, to believe, trust and rely on Him now, then on that day when we leave here we will move in with that One we believe, the One we know.

God said to me one day.  Many think they want to move in with Me one day, but right here and now they don’t agree with Me, or even have time for Me, yet still they think they want to move in with Me when they leave here.

So you see it isn’t just a prayer but a commitment to know Him and be in agreement with Him.                             

Believe

John 3: 16 For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He [even] gave up His only begotten ([unique) Son, so that whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life.  AMPC

Believing in Jesus is more than just a prayer saying we believe.  Believing in Jesus is agreeing with Him by living His way in His Kingdom right here and now on the earth.

When we make it our quest to know Jesus, to believe, trust and rely on Him now, then on that day when we leave here we will move in with that One we believe, the One we know.

God said to me one day.  Many think they want to move in with Me one day, but right here and now they don’t agree with Me, or even have time for Me, yet still they think they want to move in with Me when they leave here.

So you see it isn’t just a prayer but a commitment to know Him and be in agreement with Him.                             

 

                                               

 

And It Shall Be Done For You

Jesus said ask whatever you will and it will be done for you.  What are the conditions?

That you come into agreement with Him, that you not only submit to Him, but that you cling to Him, and consent to Him getting rid of the dead branches in your life.  Then you can ask of Him and receive, giving honor and glory to the Father showing to be true followers of His.

15:1 I am the True Vine, and My Father is the Vinedresser. 2 Any branch in Me that does not bear fruit [that stops bearing] He cuts away (trims off, takes away); and He cleanses and repeatedly prunes every branch that continues to bear fruit, to make it bear more and richer and more excellent fruit. 3 You are cleansed and pruned already, because of the word which I have given you [the teachings I have discussed with you]. 4 Dwell in Me, and I will dwell in you. [Live in Me, and I will live in you.] Just as no branch can bear fruit of itself without abiding in (being vitally united to) the vine, neither can you bear fruit unless you abide in Me. 5 I am the Vine; you are the branches. Whoever lives in Me and I in him bears much (abundant) fruit. However, apart from Me [cut off from vital union with Me] you can do nothing. 6 If a person does not dwell in Me, he is thrown out like a [broken-off] branch, and withers; such branches are gathered up and thrown into the fire, and they are burned. 7 If you live in Me [abide vitally united to Me] and My words remain in you and continue to live in your hearts, ask whatever you will, and it shall be done for you. 8 When you bear (produce) much fruit, My Father is honored and glorified, and you show and prove yourselves to be true followers of Mine. AMPC

My Sheep Know My Voice

John 10:4 When he has brought his own sheep outside, he walks on before them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. 5 They will never [on any account] follow a stranger, but will run away from him because they do not know the voice of strangers or recognize their call. AMPC

Our life should be about letting Jesus walk in front of us, following Him so we can know His voice and let Him lead us in the good life He intends for us. When we are willing to follow Him we will know His voice and we won’t follow a strange voice, a voice we’re unfamiliar with, in fact we’ll recognize it as the thief right away, and reject it!

So many times though we listen to that stranger’s voice, even though it is not familiar to us and it doesn’t represent God’s character, we take it anyway.  The reason we do is because the thief makes his suggestions look more attractive than God’s direction. 

That is how the enemy kills, steals, and destroys in our lives— by getting us to heed his voice, trying to make his way seem better than following the Voice that cares for us.

But as we make it our quest to follow the Shepherd and run from the thief knowing he is a fraud trying to sell us a fake temporary life— then we can live that real abundant life Jesus is talking about. 

John 10:10 The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows). AMPC

The Abundant Life

John 10:10 The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows). AMPC

Jesus in this verse is clearly clarifying that He is the One who cares for us, He came to show us the good, abundant life we can life when we follow Him.

On the other hand if we follow the enemy we will allow him to kill, steal and destroy in our lives.  

Our part then is to follow Jesus and there we will find rest.  In rest we find peace not confusion, faith not fear, relation not worry, because we are following Him and we hear His voice and He in speaking His truth to us, will cause our hearts not to be troubled.

John 10:9 I am the Door; anyone who enters in through Me will be saved (will live). He will come in and he and he will go out [freely], and will find pasture.  AMPC

The Rain Is Coming

Have you prepared for the rain?  Are you ready for the storm ahead?

Matthew 7:24 So everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts upon them [obeying them] will be like a [sensible (prudent, practical, wise) man who built his house upon the rock. 25 And the rain fell and the floods came and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. 26 And everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not do them will be like a stupid (foolish) man who built his house upon the sand. 27 And the rain fell and the floods came and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell—and great and complete was the fall of it. AMPC

Jesus has given us plenty of warning that His return is soon, He is coming and when He does its over, our time to prepare for the new heaven and the new earth is at end and our actions here and now will determine our destination.

Think with me a minute.  What sin do you allow in your life that you tell yourself is okay and it is okay with God?  Or, which sin is the one you keep telling yourself you will work on quitting.  Or what about the one that you think isn’t that bad and you’re a good person, others have worse sin in their lives than you do?

Sin is sin and sin is what separates us from God now, and will keep us from living with Him when we leave here.  Therefore doing what you know to do what is right, is what you want to do without compromise.  If you let compromise have its way with you, you haven’t prepared for the storm that is about to hit and complete will be your fall!

Follow Jesus

Matthew 7:15 Beware of false prophets, who come to you dressed as sheep, but inside they are devouring wolves. 16 You will fully recognize them by their fruits. Do people pick grapes from thorns, or figs from thistles? AMPC

Jesus just finished talking about staying on the narrow path when He said to beware of false prophets who come dressed as sheep, but actually inside they are devouring wolves.  Jesus is warning us that not all are who they claim to be and if we are following a false prophet we are likely to be on the wrong path leading to the gate that leads to destruction. 

If we know Jesus we will recognize a false prophet.  If we know Jesus we will know things we can’t know without Him.  He will reveal to us a false prophet and warn us just as He has to those in the text we just read.

Jesus is revealing truth to us that we are only to follow Him and to obey Him.  He said another time, many false prophets will rise up and deceive and lead many in error (Matthew 24:11).  

It is a scary thing to not know Jesus and put your trust in a man.  Jesus is plainly telling us to believe in Him, follow Him and no other.  

Look at these truths Jesus reveals to us further in this chapter.

Matthew 21 Not everyone who says to Me, Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father Who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me on that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name and driven out demons in Your name and done many mighty works in Your name? 23 And then I will say to them openly (publicly), I never knew you; depart from Me, you who act wickedly [disregarding My commands]. AMPC

Looks to me like Jesus is talking to the ones who were dressed like sheep,  but inside were devouring wolves. 

We have to make sure we know Jesus ourselves and that we too don’t become a false prophet, claiming to know something we don’t, following our flesh or another man instead of Jesus!  We have to be sure we are NOT, at any cost disregarding His commands and we cant do that if we don’t know Him and allow Him to correct us.

The Narrow Gate— Few Are Those Who Find It!

The Narrow Gate— Few Are Those Who Find It! Matthew 7:13 Enter through the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and spacious and broad is the way that leads away to destruction, and many are those who are entering through it. 14 But the gate is narrow (contracted by pressure) and the way is straitened and compressed that leads away to life, and few are those who find it. AMPC Jesus said to take the gate, enter through the gate that has pressure on it, the gate you can’t seem to get open. Get that gate open because it is a matter of heaven or hell. But the gate is wide that leads to destruction and many are entering through it. Many are on the wide path that leads to that wide gate that has easy access. The enemy knows just how to get to us and that is with what is easy and comfortable. He makes things a little rough (for the Words sake Mark 4:17), just to get us off that narrow path that leads to the narrow gate, that leads to eternal life, and presto— his ploy worked! Anything good is worth fighting for, in fact Jesus said the Kingdom of God is taken by force, yet we don’t fight. He said the Kingdom of God is as a precious pearl we will have to sell out for, but we don’t, we compromise instead. If the summation of who we say we are does not match up with who the Word tells us we should be, then we really are not who we say we are. If when it comes to standing up for Jesus proving His will is good and perfect,yet we quit and give up, then who are we? Instead of taking the counsel of the Holy Spirit, it is well know for many who call themselves Christians to compromise, to do what feels good in the moment instead of press in and do what represents Jesus. What if you knew that your compromise would lead you to hell, or should I say what if you actually believed it does? Wouldn’t that start a fire in you? If you believed hell was a real place, if you believed in it and that you were making a choice right now, each and every moment to enter into heaven or hell when you leave here, would that effect the choices you are making now? What if it is more than a prayer that leads to salvation? What if there was more to the prayer you prayed you weren’t aware of? What if you thought you were fine, but you are in a real place of compromise and on the path that leads to destruction? Wouldn’t you want to know? What if you believed you might be wrong and examined yourself for the possibility of being off of the narrow path? Life is exactly what Jesus said it is. It is a journey down a path that leads to a gate. The narrow path leads to a gate that is hard to get open, there is pressure on it. There is someone trying his hardest to keep you from getting to that gate and through it. The way to get through that gate is to fight your way through it. You will have to fight by doing what is right without compromise. Doing what is not always comfortable, or easy or even popular. You will have to get on your knees every morning and ask the Holy Spirit to correct you and teach you in order to stay on that path that leads to that gate that opens the door to eternal life! The narrow path leads to eternal life, starting now with the choices you make now. The wide path leads to destruction, starting now— with the choices you make now.

Comforted Now

Luke 16:19 There was a certain rich man who [habitually] clothed himself in purple and fine linen and reveled and feasted and made merry in splendor every day.20 And at his gate there was [carelessly] dropped down and left a certain utterly destitute man named Lazarus, [reduced to begging alms and] covered with [ulcerated] sores. 21 He [eagerly] desired to be satisfied with what fell from the rich man’s table; moreover, the dogs even came and licked his sores. 22 And it occurred that the man [reduced to] begging died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom. The rich man also died and was buried. 23 And in Hades (the realm of the dead), being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far away, and Lazarus in his bosom.24 And he cried out and said, Father Abraham, have pity and mercy on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in this flame. 25 But Abraham said, Child, remember that you in your lifetime fully received [what is due you in] comforts and delights, and Lazarus in like manner the discomforts and distresses; but now he is comforted here and you are in anguish. I have to ask myself after reading this, am I like this rich man? Do I only think of myself and not the needs of others? I need to ask myself, am only concerned with my comfort and not the comfort of others? Do I continually tend to my comfort and considered not the comfort of those suffering around me? We don’t have to have a mansion to be rich, in fact having Jesus is being truly rich, and especially not sharing Him with those without comfort is selfish and not who we are called to be when we wear that Name! God spoke this to me one day, “ I need you to care about what I care about, My people -not just your family.” I had to ask God to help me with that because He was right I had a love only for my family. I couldn’t see my error as He does. The reason God asked me to care is because I needed that correction to live in His Kingdom. I gave God permission a long time ago to correct me, to keep me right with Him and He is faithful to do that. I don’t want to be like this rich man oblivious to the needs of others because I am self-centered, only concerned with me and my family. Therefore I have to ask God to help me get my mind off of myself and on the needs of others, to serve in love as He does. I hear Him constantly tell me you take care of My stuff, and I will take care of yours. Meaning you do My greater work of love, your assignment, you care about what I care about, and I will be there for you! God does that you know, when you forget about yourself and care more about others then He can actually take care of you! That’s how Love works!

Faith Makes It!

Romans 2:11 For God shows no partiality [undue favor or unfairness; with Him one man is not different from another].

God does not look at anyone of us as different, therefore it is not His will to do favors for one person and not another, but the difference in those who have  God’s favor is their faith in Him.

If you look throughout Jesus’ ministry on the earth, He said over and over, Your faith has made you well, your faith has made you whole.  He also said according to your faith be it done unto you. To a centurion He said I haven’t seen this much faith in all of Israel!  

Jesus said to Jairus, only believe when some messengers came to tell him his daughter was dead. He said often, oh you of little faith how long should I put up with you?

Jesus came to show us the Father, His love for us, and how we can trust Him.  But what does it take to get that trust?  How do we get that faith we need in Him to have the same favor those who received from Jesus had?

They all had one thing in common - faith.  How did they get that faith?  They followed Jesus around.  They heard His teachings and believed what He said. Only those who made the decision to believe followed Him, and those who followed Him grew in their knowledge of Him and began to know Him enough to have trust in Him and then receive from Him.

You can do the same, follow Him, get to know Him, and then you too can receive from Him.

Romans 10:17 So faith comes by hearing [what is told], and what is heard comes by the preaching [of the message that came from the lips] of Christ (the Messiah Himself). AMPC

You Have It!

Having what someone else needs and not giving it is a lack of our faith in God.  

James 2:16 And one of you says to him, Good-bye! Keep [yourself] warm and well fed, without giving him the necessities for the body, what good does that do?

How often do we see a need, but because we are afraid of being without we don’t give to that need?  If we see someone in need of a coat and we even have four or five coats ourselves, do we reason why we need our coats and then not give one of our coats to that need?

Do we reason with judgment, like the guy on the highway with a sign asking for food instead of getting a job?

Can I suggest to you today that, that guy may be unable to work, unable to maybe even get through a day because of his emotional state, his lack of not having Jesus?  What if you gave to him and salvation came through the gift you gave?

The Word tells us that if we give it will be given back to us and more besides (Luke 6:38), thus that allows us to give to those in need, freely knowing that your heavenly Father knows what you have done.  Know that giving to the poor, is lending to the Lord and He will reward you (Proverbs 19:17) for giving to one of His children in need!

If we would stop looking at the speck in our brother’s eye and be a doer of the Word, then we would be pleasing the Father.  Then we would be living by faith and living by faith is the way to be Christ-like.

If we say we believe in God then we have to also believe and agree with what He said!

James 2:17 So also faith, if it does not have works (deeds and actions of obedience to back it up), by itself is destitute of power (inoperative, dead).

Believe Him?

Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please and be satisfactory to Him. For whoever would come near to God must [necessarily] believe that God exists and that He is the rewarder of those who earnestly and diligently seek Him [out]

Why does God say that it is impossible to please Him without faith?  Because faith is trust in Him and if we don’t have faith in Him we are really saying we don’t believe Him or trust Him.

So what’s the answer?  He said in this same sentence that He rewards those who earnestly (seriously), diligently seek Him out.  I would say that seeking Him would be the same as taking the time to know Him.  How do we trust someone we don’t know, how can you trust or have faith in a God whom you are not sure what He is thinking?

If you know God, you can know what He is thinking (1 Corinthians 2:16).  If you know God you know the things that are to come (John 16:13).  If you know God He will share His mysteries with you (Mark 4:11), thus if you know God and you know what He is doing, you will also have peace and that peace is your rest (Hebrews 4:11), your faith in knowing Him. 

Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please and be satisfactory to Him. For whoever would come near to God must [necessarily] believe that God exists and that He is the rewarder of those who earnestly and diligently seek Him [out]