Covetousness

Greetings to all in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is written "What shall it profit a man, if he gain the whole world and lose his own soul; or what shall a man give in exchange for his own soul." You know, Esau sold his birthright for a bowl of soup to satisfy his physical hunger. How many of us today as Christians are selling out our birthrights, our inheritance for a promise of prosperity and wealth? How many of us are succumbing to the false teaching of "Gain is Godliness?"   The Bible says, "Godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and many hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. 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."   Jesus said not to lay up treasures on the earth, for where your treasure is there will your heart be also. No doubt we live in a very materialistic society and accumulation of goods is the American way. But should it be the christian way? Is it a true sign of God's favor and blessing? According to some within Christendom it is. But if you examine closely and take to heart Paul's writings, the Gospels and especially the Words of the Lord Jesus; another picture is presented to us. Other than the one satan is so subtilly decieving the American church and society with today.   The Bible says "There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but end thereof is death." I would encourage you brethren to once again examine your hearts in the light of God's word; concerning this prosperity doctrine. Look once again at the life of Paul and the other apostles and prophets. Are we looking for a city whose builder and maker is God as they were, or are we trying to build our own financial kingdoms on this earth? The Bible declares, " Has not God chosen the poor in this world, rich in faith to be heirs of his Kingdom?" We are rich brothers and sisters, way beyond what money can buy. Having nothing yet possessing all things is what my Bible says. Do you believe it?   May God bless you with the true riches is my prayer P.S. One more question: Did our Apostolic fathers have a 401k plan? Answer: No, but they had retirement benefits that were; "Out Of This World."

GIVING THANKS

Greetings Brothers and Sisters in Christ   Bless that wonderful name of Jesus. What a mighty God we serve. Truly he is an awesome God. There is none like you O Lord in heaven or in the earth.   When is the last time you have considered how great your God really is? Not just a casual observation, but a deep meditation upon his Majesty, his Holiness, his awesome Creativity. When is the last time you have had a deep appreciation for the air that you breathe, the water you drink, and all the other day to day miracles of life? It is so easy for all of us to get caught up in this game of survival and lose sight of the one who has given us the privilege of being alive. For in Him we live and move and have our being.   He is the source of every good and perfect gift. He is the author of every living thing. When is the last time you have stopped and given him thanks for the sun, the moon, the stars, the trees, the grass, the flowers, the animals, the air you breathe, the human race, your family, your friends, your health, your wealth, and so on?   The Bible says "In everything give thanks for this is the will of God, concerning you." It is the very least we can do. I have often said that the very fact that I am aware that God is the reason that I exist, is enough for me to want to Love and Serve Him. The very fact that He breathed into me the breath of life. No other reason, just that alone. Not counting the wonderful blessings, such as eternal life. Think about it for a moment, if you would. "I am never going to cease to be." O death where is your victory. Thank-you Jesus; thank-you Heavenly Father. You paid the the price for my sin, my years of unbelief that kept me separated from you. Thank-you for your patience with me, for your understanding, your mercy and goodness. For without it I would have surely been destroyed, by my own devices.   Is there enough words in the languages of men to describe the greatness of our God? I think not!! I would encourage you my brethren to take time today and meditate upon the goodness of our God and saviour Jesus Christ. Take another look around you and see what God has done. Lay aside your cares for a moment and breathe in His goodness. Allow him to saturate your very being with his love and mercy. Take the time to enter into fellowship with your creator. You won't be disappointed; I can assure you of that much.   The hour is getting late, for what is our lives on this earth, but a vapor that appeareth for a litte time, and then vanishes away. The pleasures we strive so hard for, will soon be gone. So won't you take time today to enter into His presence, for in His presence is Fulness of Joy.   May His soon coming rejoice your hearts. The words of Paul to Timothy: "This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men will be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those who are good, traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away."   Let us not find ourselves in these categories my friends. Let us be thankful

Pure Oil

Greetings Brothers and Sisters,  Hope all is well with your souls this Saturday morning. I had a dream last night which was kind of interesting and don't know exactly what it meant but here we go. I was introduced to this special oil to put in my car.  It was a formula that really would do the job as far as keeping your engine clean and smooth running.  Now mind you I am not a mechanic and not a car buff, so I normally don't think about those kind of things; so the only interpretation I could get is this. The pure oil of the Holy Spirit.   What a wonderful blessing to be baptized (immersed) with the Power of God.  Filled with the Holy Ghost. Having the love of God shed abroad in our hearts.  Supernatural gifts and callings.  Everything we need to keep our engines running clean and smooth.  You know the bible says that God has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness.  That is wonderful news saints. But so often we don't take advantage of the grace of God that has been made available to us.  We don't keep full of the oil.  So often we sin that grace would abound and the bible says.  Shall we sin that grace should abound?  God Forbid!! and let us not quench nor grieve the Holy Spirit.  Whereby we have been sealed until the day of redemption.  We have received, my friends, the earnest of our inheritance.  The down payment.  Let us not grieve Him but rather let us allow ourselves to be full of the pure oil of the Holy Spirit.  Putting on Christ and making no provision for the flesh.  May our number one desire be to please God and to go on to perfection, allowing the Spirit and the word to sanctify us (cleanse us) and keep our hearts pure before Him. We know that our outward man is perishing, but our inward man is being renewed day by day.  So lets not grieve the Holy Spirit and count the blood of Christ an unholy thing and do despite to the Spirit of grace.  We know the penalty of that is made clear in the book of Hebrews.  Chapter 12: 14-29.. Esau sold his birthright for a bowl of porridge.  We could share many scriptures with you concerning sin and the penalties of it.  But what we want to do is encourage us to stand fast in the faith and be not moved away from hope in Christ and open our hearts to God and allow the Holy Spirit to keep us all walking in Holiness.  We know that we have none of our own and that these garments we wear are the wedding garments of righteousness that have been imputed unto us by faith in the atoning work of Jesus Christ on the cross. But brothers and sisters we have a responsibility and accountability to put on Christ to have our lamps trimmed and to be full of oil.  We are to be wise virgins and not foolish.  The pure oil is here. Drink of it daily.  Be full..  May the Lord Jesus engrave His word on the fleshy tablets of our hearts, that we would be those living epistles, known and read of all men.. is my Prayer.  Christ in us the hope of GLORY...  Be Blessed.  MAY THE GRACE OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST BE WITH YOU!!!   Dear Bro Bob, Interesting subject you brought up this morning. Sounds like the Lord gave you a good dream.  Pure Oil.  There are so many mixtures and formulas today one often wonders which is the best.  One makes one claim and another makes the same claim only more of it.  We have synthetic, multi grade and single grade, High temperature formulas and regular.  I wonder how much of it is just a sales gimmick.  But the Pure Oil that flows out from the Throne of our Maker, The King of Kings doesn't need any sales gimmicks, doesn't make any bogus claims, doesn't need to. There are many oils today, many mixtures.  What kind of oil do we want poured into our Spirit?  Our Holy of Holies.  Oil all mixed up with anything?  Oil contaminated, or only partly refined?  We do so hunger for the Pure Oil Bro. Talk to you Later; God Bless. Bro Richard