THOUGHTS
Man Of God Or Wolf In Sheeps Clothing?
"Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves." (Matthew 7:15)
"For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light." (2nd Corinthians 11:13-14)
A true man of God does not tell us how good we are, or how to live our best life now, or how to have a purpose driven life. A true man of God tells us to repent for the Kingdom of God is at hand! A true man of God tells us that we are dead in our trespasses and sins. A true man of God tells us we are sinners standing in need of a Saviour. A true man of God tells us that we must put to death all of the sin, self-will and worldliness in our lives and personalities. A true man of God tells us that we must come out of the world and lay down our lives, deny ourselves, take up our crosses and follow the Lord. A true man of God tells us that there is one and only one way to God: through His beloved Son Jesus Christ.
"And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." (Acts 4:12)
Contrary to the so-called "success-in-life" teaching that so permeates apostate Christianity today, God is NOT a blessing machine waiting to give us everything we want whenever we want it. On the contrary, God has already given us everything we need by the incredibly incomprehensible sacrifice of His beloved Son Jesus Christ on the Cross for our sins. Now, He wants to know what we are going to do for Him.
Most of the popular preachers of the world today refuse to preach the truth according to the Word of God. As such, they are deceivers of the first rank. They are, in fact, "wolves in sheeps clothing". And if you follow them and believe they are "true men of God" you need to ask God if you are correct because we can't both be right.
Just Say No!
"Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin." (Romans 6:6)
Have you put sin to death in your life yet or are you still a slave to it? Have you "reckoned yourself dead indeed unto sin"? Are you so identified with the Lord's death that sin is dead in you?
Oswald Chambers said, "It is the great moment in my life when I do decide that just as Jesus Christ died for the sin of the world, so sin must die out in me, not be curbed or suppressed or counteracted, but crucified. Have I entered into the glorious privilege of being crucified with Christ until all that is left is the life of Christ in my flesh and blood?"
"For I have been crucified with Christ, nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ lives within me." (Galatians 2:20)
"Awake to righteousness and sin not." (1st Corinthians 15:34)
Pray For The Peace Of Jerusalem!
THE HOLY CITY -- 1952
Thus saith the Lord,"Touch not my anointed ones..." (1st Chronicles 16:22)
And, "I will bless those who bless you and him who dishonors you I will curse..." (Genesis 12:3)
Therefore, a word to the current occupant of the White House in the United States of America, take heed! You and your nation lie in the balance.
Bad News!
"Now when David and his men came to Ziklag on the third day, the Amalekites had made a raid against the Negeb and against Ziklag. They had overcome Ziklag and burned it with fire and taken captive the women and all who were in it, both small and great. They killed no one, but carried them off and went their way. And when David and his men came to the city, they found it burned with fire, and their wives and sons and daughters taken captive. Then David and the people who were with him raised their voices and wept until they had no more strength to weep. David's two wives also had been taken captive, Ahinoam of Jezreel and Abigail the widow of Nabal of Carmel. And David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because all the people were bitter in soul, each for his sons and daughters." (1 Samuel 30:1-5)
This was indeed some very bad news for David and his people. What do you do when you receive bad news? What do you suppose David did upon hearing this bad news?
"But David strengthened himself in the Lord his God." (1 Samuel 30:6)
A very wise and effective way to deal with bad news, wouldn't you say?
In Case You Were Wondering
HE LIVES!
“For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: and if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.” (1st Corinthians 15:16-19)
In point of fact, at this very moment He is seated at the right hand of the Father (see Ephesians 1:20-23) and ever lives to make intercession for us (see Hebrews 7:25).
And how does Jesus pray for us?
"That they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me. Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world. O righteous Father, even though the world does not know you, I know you, and these know that you have sent me. I made known to them your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.” (John 17:21-26)
Wow! What a prayer! Now what do you suppose the odds are that the Father will answer His Son's prayer?
Are You Ready?
"...saying, 'Would that you, even you, had known on this day the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. For the days will come upon you, when your enemies will set up a barricade around you and surround you and hem you in on every side and tear you down to the ground, you and your children within you. And they will not leave one stone upon another in you, because you did not know the time of your visitation.'" (Luke 19:42-44)
In case you didn't know, the day of the Lord is upon us. Terrible trouble, hard times and great tribulation lies immediately ahead.
Are you ready? Are you prepared?
In light of the terrible trouble that is quickly approaching us, here are some wonderful promises from God:
"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling." (Psalms 46:1-3)
"Sow to yourselves in righteousness; reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground, for it is time to seek the Lord, till He come and rain righteousness upon you." (Hosea 10:12)
"I love those who love me, and those who seek me diligently find me." (Proverbs 8:17)
Is This You?
I've lost sight of all beside,
So enchained my spirit's vision,
Gazing on the Crucified.
-- Oswald Chambers