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.
11)
But thou, O man of God,
flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love,
patience, meekness.
12)
Fight the good fight of
faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast
professed a good profession before many witnesses.
13)
I give thee charge in the
sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before
Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession;
14)
That thou keep this
commandment without spot, unrebukable, until the
appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ:
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very
chance we get, the Lord wants us to keep reminding you to be honest and sincere
with yourselves. If you are willing, then the Lord, through these messages,
will enlighten you as He never has before.
Today,
let us start by examining the concept of the “fight.” In this nation, we find
that people are needing less and less provocation to
fight. Unfortunately, though more of God’s people are willing to engage in the
“fight,” generally it is not the “good fight” of faith, but a personal war
fought with the aim of accomplishing personal goals.
The
love of money can affect one’s restoration. You see, when one is determined to
be saved, he is constrained to do things God’s way, but a decision to think for
yourself also means a responsibility to provide for yourself—all too often, justifying
unscrupulous means to accomplish that.
There
is a need for restoration even among pastors who, though charged with the care
and feeding of souls, have become more preoccupied with obtaining a “positive
cash flow” rather than telling all the truth of the gospel.
Part
of the devil’s assault is to get us to doubt that righteousness is profitable.
Doubting God’s provision in our finances, keeps us from trusting him further.
Ultimately, we give up doing right, believing that we are not helped. The only
reason we succumb is that we have forgotten that our belief in God will be
tested. God wants to see (if our patience is tested) will we still believe, or
give up?
How
else are people lured away either from the Lord or from one church to another?
Many churches, even apostolic, and espousing the humanistic teaching that
“family is first.” Like it or not, this is contrary to the scripture. Nothing
and no one is to supersede God’s place in our lives.
Another
issue is that of “Love,” or the lack of it. The problem is that most are not
willing to exhibit love as Christ did, by giving
it, they
are rather looking to see how much they can get.
This is an old worn-out excuse for leaving a church. The scriptures teach that
our love of God is necessary for us to be remain in
right-standing with Him. Indeed, if we love Him, our conduct toward others will
be according to His will. When one complains of how he is being loved, is he
also concerned with his own love of others?
The
Lord is calling for His people to stand still in all situations and get His direction. Most of you know you have
not done this. You may say that you heard from God, but you know that you left
to escape the pressure and feel
better. This is what you wanted, so this is what you did.
For
once, pay attention to the voice of the Lord: If you run, you will never be
made perfect in God. For why do people run? They run out of fear. Our love for
God must be able to conquer fear of all things.
The
righteous have always been elevated through adversity because it causes them to
lean ever more heavily upon the Saviour. However,
many today, are displaying their true positions by becoming bitter through
tests. In this, not only are their true feelings of God revealed, but they also
show how lightly they esteem His servants and their correction. For when
guidance is given, if it is not pleasing to the flesh, then they will not
submit themselves.
It
is becoming increasingly clear that, in leaving Living Faith, many have just
given up. Of course, they look at it as freedom and liberation, when the truth
of the matter is that they have simply been cowards—giving in to pressure. Now,
admittedly, this is a strong word and a strong occupation; but in becoming
joined to the Lord, a cowardly man is granted all the power necessary to stand
and withstand.
In
these last days, all indications are that the saints have lost their focus or
purpose. None of us were ever redeemed only to conduct our own business. Before
salvation, we were utterly useless to the Lord. And even upon salvation, as
much time as it takes us to be profitable, we could have easily been “taken
out.” However, we are left here that we might allow our minds to become
subjected to Him. So, we truly exist on “borrowed time” and during its passage,
we have a responsibility to accomplish God’s purpose of our existence? Too many
have no concept of humility, therefore trials and tests must come. And, if we do not endure...
Another
important point many seem to have forgotten is that God is not limited to our
way of doing things. That which seems impossible to accomplish, God is capable
of not only doing, but doing in an instant of time. There is no excuse left for
anyone who finds himself dissatisfied with his situation and allows it to move
him. Blaming others is a thing of the past. The Lord wants all to understand
that every situation can be changed when it is surrendered to Him.
Once
again, the Lord has sent a Word to be heeded by Living Faith and her “misplaced
children” alike. Once-and-for-all, we need to accept that when our beliefs (be
they are healing, finances, deliverance or otherwise) are challenged, it is not
us as individuals being challenged, but rather, our God! The devil sends these
things because he believes that we can’t handle them and too often we show we
can’t. Now is the time to step into our rightful places and cease from living
beneath our privilege.
Obviously,
none of us saw Jesus die, be put into the earth and raise Himself up—but we
believe it anyway and because we do, it has made all the difference. If we can
believe this, why not believe the Lord is able to handle all things?
When
will we ever learn that truth is not what we see, but what God has to say of a
situation? Deception comes when you reject truth, even about yourself and your
situation.
What
can one do at this point? Decide that whatever God has for me, I accept! I
will turn nothing down and it makes no difference to me how hard something
may seem or how unlikely it may be. I’m determined to have it all!