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JESUS THE SUPPLIER
Man's eyes are always on tomorrow , what they shall eat or wear upon their bodies, or how to pay next months bills. Many Men's hearts have stop beating because of the worries of this world. And it is sad to say that many Christians have fallen in the category. And I say it is sad because of the lack of faith they have for their God , Whose Word tells us He will take care of all our needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. You can find this promise in Phil.4:19. When we were children and had fathers who worked and brought back food for our bodies and clothes , we did not doubt our parents to forsake us or leave us in need when they had the means to do it. We as little children put our trust in them. And as Christians , knowing God to be more righteous and faithful to His promises , we should put all trust in Him and doubt not at all. In Matthew 6:25 it is written 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 shall ye put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? 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? Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, shall He not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? Therefore take no thought , saying, What shall we eat? Or, What shall we drink? Or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your Heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you. 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. What a promise these scriptures reveal to us.
It is written that you cannot please God without faith, so I go on and say that without faith it displeases God. One who is fearful about his needs being met, is one who does not put his trust in God. And what a grieving this must be to our Heavenly Father, who sent His Son into our lives, those who believe, that we through the blood of Jesus might be made children unto God ; making us heirs with Him of the Kingdom of God. And knowing that we are heirs with Christ, we should have an assurance that every promise made unto Jesus belongs to us also.
But I know that you cannot make anyone have faith, you cannot make them believe, even myself, I cannot force myself to believe anything , faith must come from God by His Holy Spirit who gives us revelation or life to the Word we hear. First the Word is planted into a heart and then God gives increase. But until He can give Life to the Word in our life, we must in turn die to this flesh and the lusts of it. It is when we get our eyes off of the things of the world and get it upon Jesus. It is when we pray to the Father, not my will be done, but your will. And when faith is birth in our lives, fear shall depart, and be replaced with joy in the Lord. When Israel came out of Egypt by the hand of God, He did many signs and wonders so that they may believe on Him. But once in the wilderness, and the trials they were going through, their faith started to decrease, because they got their eyes off of God and upon the circumstance around them. Faith is the substance of things hoped for the evidence of things not seen (see Hebrews 11:1). I heard people of this world say concerning Christians who walk after the Word of God ; that they have blind faith; but that is the only kind of faith there is. If your faith is based upon sight or feeling, it is not faith. And then there are others who base their faith on the substance and not on the Word. For instance, people try to believe in the healing; when they should believe in the Word which states in 1Pet 2:24 By His stripes ye were healed. That Word is Jesus; and that alone should be the bases of our faith. Then there are those who believe in their religion more than the Word of God. They attend the services each week, and give offerings to the church; and even pray; but when it comes to believing the Word of God , there is a stumbling block which keeps them from seeing the truth. And I believe it is because they rely upon that church to get them saved. But Jesus said that their traditions have made the Word of God of non effect. And because of this, they cannot trust in God to take care of the needs. They are still trusting in man and the ways of man; not realizing the Word which states; God's ways are greater than our ways and His thoughts are higher than man's thoughts.
Again, to use Israel as an example, their needs were being met in Egypt, but they were still in bondage. When God sent Moses to deliver them, and was successful, they started to murmur and complain because their needs were not being met according to man's way. Even in the wilderness as written in Exodus 32, That when Moses went up into the mountain to pray for the people, they started to doubt God's Word. And this is where they made themselves a molten calf made of gold. That word molten in the Hebrew language means to pour over or a covering. They were trying to cover their sins by making themselves an image of God, and worshipping it. Man is always trying to understand God in human form. They try to make Him as one of themselves. But the Word of God says, He is a Spirit, and we must worship Him in Spirit and in truth. They misunderstand the scripture that states, God made man in His image. God is not in human form, He is a Spirit (John 4:24), so that makes man a spirit; which is placed into a human body. A person can take a pet dog or cat and teach it to do tricks, maybe even put on human clothes upon this animal. What they are trying to do is make this animal human like. An animal is lower than people according the scriptures. Well man takes God, Who is much greater than humans, and they try to make Him human like. When in fact God is trying to bring us higher in His knowledge. Man tries to make God lower like man, and an animal he tries to make higher like man. It is hard for him to comprehend the things of God; that is why it takes the Holy Spirit to reveal these things to him. And apart from the Spirit of Christ, man will never come to the understanding of God. And it is not until man denies the lusts of his flesh will the Spirit dwell with him.
God promises to feed us, to shelter us and clothe us according to the scriptures we read earlier. It might not be the foods we are use to eat or the clothes we use to wear or even the shelter we want to live, and that is where many Christian get in trouble with God, because they begin to question God's Word. In the book of Numbers 11:4 it is written: (And the mixed multitude that was among them fell a lusting: And the children of Israel also wept again, and said, Who shall give us flesh to eat? We remember the fish, which we did eat in Egypt freely; the cucumbers, and the melons, and the leeks, and the onions, and the garlic: But now our soul is dried away: There is nothing at all, beside this manna, before our eyes). They forgot the bondage they were in Egypt, when the Egyptians would kill there children and make there men and women slaves to work in the fields and build their temples to worship their many gods.
Some Christians today are in a way still depending upon this world to meet their needs. They look upon the government as their provider. Some work fifty, sixty or seventy hours plus, with there marriages falling apart and children who are passed along to a baby-sitter to take care of their children. Only because they want the finer things in this world. And then they mistakenly say this is a blessing from God. The Apostle Paul said that a man should seek wealth for other men and not your own (see 1 Corinthians 10:24 ). If God does call a man or woman with the gift of helps or giving, He will supply them with a job just right to fit their lifestyle, which will not have an effect on their walk with Him. It will be their ministry; but they will not work for themselves, but for the body that is in need. In the book of Acts in the third chapter it is written that all were equal and not one person had more than the other. That is true love, when a person puts away His own desires that another's will be fulfilled. .
It is written in Acts 4:32 ( And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: Neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. And with great power gave the Apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: And great grace was upon them all. Neither was there any among them that lacked: For as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, And laid them down at the apostles' feet: And distribution was made unto every man according as he had need ). If only this could happen in the church today, but people are so bound to this world and the things to it they would rather jump out of a tall building than to lose all their riches, as proven in the days of the great depression. When these wealthy men, who worked so hard for their wealth found their wealth worthless, they seen no future for themselves because they made the things in this world their god, so they ended their lives. And that is why today many are so depressed, even those of the church because they have their hearts on the things of this world and not on God. Women believe once they marry, the joy will come, and does for a while; but then they began to look for more, maybe a child, then a home, these days a career, but after it doesn't fulfill their desires then what? A man the same, He believes the right kind of job will give him that peace and joy in his life, or maybe a truck or boat. They seek for things in this world, but this world keeps letting them down. The only thing that can give them the greatest satisfaction is a relationship with Jesus Christ. .
WHO IS GOD?
There are many people in this world who say they love God or believe in Him, but
they have not the slightest clue who He is. Lets take a look at the book of Romans 10:2 :(For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth). And many today are trying to establish their own righteousness. The Word of God tells us that man's righteousness is as rotten rags. In the United States of America people speak about the good morals of man. When in fact compared to God's morals, it cannot stand. Scientist and man has so tried to understand the physical part of God for so long, and never can come to any solution. Only if they were to understand God is a Spirit, and you can only understand who He is by His Spirit.
Here are just a few examples that the scriptures give us explaining who is God.
First of all most people know Him as CREATOR. The Word tells us that all things were made by God and without God nothing was made. And all things were made by the Word of His mouth. In the beginning as we read in the book of Genesis, it is written over and over, God said, and it came to pass. To God His Word is the means of making His thoughts come to pass into the physical realm. He did not have one thing to work with when He created heaven and earth. Just by speaking His eternal Word, did it come to pass. In John 1:1 it is written: ( In the Beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God). See, we can only know God by His Words, and nothing else. It is this Word who tells us Who He is. For instance, if you were to meet someone for the first time, you really don't know the type of person they are until you begin to speak to them and they to you. By knowing the Word of God we can know His thoughts, His desires, and His dislikes. We can come to the understanding of what His will is for our lives. It is His Word in which He communicates with His children. And also , if He created all things by the Word of His mouth, then too, He made sons and daughters through the Word of His mouth. It is this same Word which He sent down from heaven to come and save His people from eternal damnation. And this Word we know to be Jesus as stated in John 1:14 (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).And this is how we become children unto God, through faith in His Son, Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh.
Secondly, we know God as RIGHTEOUSNESS , but not the righteousness of man, but of God. This is where many people get confused. They go about trying to do their own righteousness, forsaking the righteousness of God. I have spoken to people concerning salvation. I usually ask if they were to die right now, where do they believe their soul would go? Some would say hopefully I would make it to heaven. When I ask, why do you think you deserve to go to heaven? The response most of the time is, Well, I believe I try to do good ant not try to sin against God. The thing they must understand is there is none righteous, not one but Jesus Christ. We can read this in Ro 5:12 (Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned): And because of this, it takes a blood sacrifice for redemption. And that blood must come from Jesus who is said to be the Lamb of God. And the only way to receive this blood upon our lives is through repentance of our sins. So it is not by our own righteousness do we have access to the throne of forgiveness, it is a free gift that God has sent into this world, unto those who believe. And this gift is not a way to give us a right to sin, but to give us a way to escape the bondage of sin. We can understand more clearly in these scriptures. Ro 6:1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?
Ro 6:2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?
Ro 6:3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
Ro 6:4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: That like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. When I was first presented with the gospels' message, I did not want to receive it, for one reason, I thought I had to give up too much of the things I enjoyed doing. I believe, especially preaching to people, that is the reason many do not want to except the gospel. But I soon found out that God wants us just the way we are. That He can come and make the changes in our lives. We must understand that we cannot do anything as for as works to please God, only faith, and living according to that faith do we please God. And we see this in these next scriptures: (Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: It is the gift of God:
Eph 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Eph 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. So once we surrender our lives into the hands of Jesus, it is then that He comes and makes us in His righteousness.
The third way man knows God, LOVE : It is written (1Jo 4:8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love). How strange a statement this seems to be according to man. How can one be love? But you see that is the nature of God. He cannot hate nor can He despise a person. You might ask how do I know this? Well God so loved the world, He sent Jesus to take our place of sin, and because it is done already, He cannot undo what is done. He shed His love upon us already. A person knows the love of God each time the Word is presented to them. That is the grace of God. Love is not just lip service, it is action. You show your children love, hopefully, by nurturing that child. That husband shows his wife love by being faithful, and the wife to the husband. God didn't sit in heaven and just told us HE loved us. He put His love to action. (Jo 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life). This is the love He gave to us. Because of His love God is very long-suffering. Many men does God call, who love the lifestyle of sin, but because of God's love, His Word keeps coming before their ears. Some finally give in to His grace, while others don't take heed to His calling. The apostle Paul had the heart of a murderer before his conversion, he took part in the stoning and killing of Steven, one of God's chosen vessels. Paul also persecuted many that were Christians, beating and putting into prisons, those who followed after Jesus. But even after all of this error he did, God cast forth His love upon him, by bringing His Word to him. And because of this many are blessed because God chose the apostle Paul to write most of the New Testament we know today. It is His love which heals our bodies and minds. I once heard a preacher, H. Richard Hall, make a statement that made me think. He asked the question, what can make the healing power of God move quicker than anything else? Some answered faith, but his reply was love. He stated when he was a child he became ill, and went to say preachers came, laid hands upon his body and prayed for his health. But nothing seem to happen. It was not until his mother, who was a believer, laid her hands upon him and prayed with tears, that God moved, and healed his body. It was the love of a mother toward her child that moved God. At times in scripture, it is written before Jesus healed people, He had compassion on them. The apostle Paul wrote, you can have faith to move mountains, but if you have not love, you have nothing. I feel that every person born upon the face of this earth needs to be loved. Doctors have stated that if a child is born in this world, and can be fed and taken care of physically, but never held and showed love, that child will die. All people are searching for love. And God is love. And that is what they are searching for.
He is LIFE, Jesus said in (Jo 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: No man cometh unto the Father, but by me). Apart from Jesus you have no life. He said they are dead in their sins. ( Jo 11:25 Jesus said , I am the resurrection, and the life: He that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:
Jo 11:26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this)? What is life? People tend to believe that life is just having a heartbeat or breath in your lungs. But that must not be so. The Word of God teaches us that to us Christians, even when we don't have a heartbeat or breath anymore, we will be much alive in the presence of God. Even when this body is deposed in the ground, according to scripture I will be much alive and in God's presence. Man has no idea what true love is, the God kind of love. Jesus gave us a commandment, to love one another: ( Jo 13:34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another). We must ask the question, how did Jesus love us? Well He gave His life for us. He had taken our place upon the cross so that we may have eternity in heaven. Jesus also tells us no greater love hath a man for his friends, than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. This is true love, the God kind of love. It is when we no longer live upon this earth for self but for everyone else. Today in this world that is a hard thing to do, when the motto is look out for self and no one else. Thank God He is not a selfish God.
He is FATHER;( Ro 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. Ro 8:15For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father). Many men and women call God their Father, but really He is not. It depends what you follow after; is it the Holy Spirit or the lusts of the flesh. Once Jesus was speaking to the Pharisees and He said this unto them: ( Jo 8:41 Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God. Jo 8:42 Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: For I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me.Jo 8:43Why do ye not understand my speech? Even because ye cannot hear my word. Jo 8:44Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: For he is a liar, and the father of it). First He said they do the deeds of the devil, many people today love to live in sin and has no conviction of it within their hearts. The mouth can be the most evil device to afflict pain in a persons life. And whatever is in the heart, the mouth surely will speak it sooner or later. It is this tool which can speak a lie and have not one conviction over it. The Word of God states that exaggeration is a lie, but people don't see this as being sin because they walk after their father the devil. You know you are walking after the Holy Spirit if the Word of God is being fulfilled in your life. Because the Holy Spirit and the Word cannot be separated, they go together. You cannot receive the Holy Spirit into your life apart from the Word, nor can the Word have life apart from the Spirit. Also Jesus said if God were their Father, they would love Jesus. In Jo 14:15 Jesus said(If ye love me, keep my commandments). Many people say they love Jesus but they lie, because they do not keep the commandments of God. Again love should be action and not just mouth service. Also Jesus ask them why do they not understand His speech? And He goes on to say it is because they cannot hear His Words. The reason many people don't receive anything from the scriptures is because the Holy Spirit is not present in their life because of some sin. It takes the Holy Ghost to give revelation to a person of the Word of God. But the Spirit only will come unto them when they fully surrender unto Jesus as their Lord. And when this happens they become children of the Most High God. So many times people tell me they cannot understand the Bible. And even the disciples at the time Jesus came to die on the cross had trouble understanding. But He gave them understanding, because they followed after Him: (Mt. 13:10And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables? Mt 13:11He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.
Mt. 13:12For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: But whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath. Mt 13:13Therefore speak I to them in parables: Because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. Mt 13:14And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive:
Mt. 13:15For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. Mt 13:16But blessed are your eyes, for they see: And your ears, for they hear. Most people today want the blessings of God, for God to meet their needs, to give them job security, to heal their bodies; but they don't want Jesus to rule and reign in their lives, and because of this the scriptures are kept hid from their understanding. It is not until people surrender to Jesus; can the Holy Spirit come in and show them the meaning of God's Word. Then faith will come to receive the blessing of God, of course not without sufferings for Christ's sake first.
God is SAVIOR; there is nothing or no one that can save us from hell but faith in Jesus Christ. And that word faith does not mean that Jesus exists. The apostle James teaches us somewhat about faith: ( Jas. 2:17Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Jas 2:18Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. Jas 2:19Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: The devils also believe, and tremble.Jas2:20But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? Now the works James is speaking on is not some type of religious tradition or act that a person does. It is being obedient to the Word of God. He was speaking at the time on loving one another.(Jas. 2:15If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, Jas 2:16And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? Jas 2:17Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone). So the works God expects us to do is the works of Jesus. People look toward different avenues to get to heaven. Some toward their religion, others toward being a moral person, some believe they can buy themselves into God's kingdom. But their is only one way, and that way is Jesus: (Jo 10:1Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. Jo 10:2But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. Jo 10:3 To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: And he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.Jo 10:4And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: For they know his voice. Jo 10:5 And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: For they know not the voice of strangers. Jo 10:7Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.Jo 10:8All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: But the sheep did not hear them.
Jo 10:9 I am the door: By me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. Jo 10:10The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. If you are trying any other way to get into heaven, you are spending your time for naught. People try to pray themselves to heaven, but without faith in Jesus it is impossible. Good works will not get you into heaven, the Word of God teaches us that not one person on this earth is good enough to enter in, only through Jesus. And this is the blessing He has given us, the Word sent into our lives, that whosoever believeth shall not die but have everlasting life. People tend to look at the things outwardly as the blessings, I've heard people who have gone to the casino and won say that God has blessed them, but I tell you that God's hand was not even close to that cosino. The only time God can be found close to any evil place, is to take you out, not draw you to. Also looking at God as our Savior, not only does He save sinners from the pit of hell but also believers from the torment and attack of satan. When we are sick God has given us a Word BY HIS STRIPES WE WERE HEALED, when it seems that our bills will not be met for next month God gives us a Word: My God shall supply all my needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus: Or when we are lonely and depressed: Your God shall never leave you nor forsake you. And there are so much more that God has given us through His Word to save us from the clutches of the enemy. He is our Savior.
PLEASING GOD
There is nothing more that I rather do right now in my life than to please my God. My prayer always is how do I please you O Lord. It is not in my heart that I must do this, but instead , it is a desire that I have in me. There is only one place that I can search on how to please God, and that is in the Holy Scriptures given to us by the Holy Spirit. (Ga 1:15 But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace, Ga 1:16To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood): These scriptures here the apostle Paul wrote, tells us that God is pleased when He can separate us from this world and the things of this world and the lusts of the flesh, so that God can use us as a light glorifying Him. God takes us from this world that we were born in and gives us a new life, a life of righteousness and goodness, a life of victory and much joy. And when we say unto Him, not my will but yours Lord, do we please God. (He 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: For he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him). This is such a direct statement concerning on how to please God. It is impossible to please Him without faith. You can give, do good works, attend church service regularly, pay your tithes and offerings, and whatever you do; if you do not have faith it will not please God. Men and women getting behind the pulpit to preach or writing books and brochures will not please God if their is no faith. It is when we begin to believe in His Word, and apply it to our lives, and He sees the fruit of the Spirit in our lives because of it, do we begin to please our Heavenly Father. (Ro 8:8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. Ro 8:9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his). So whenever we walk after the lusts of the flesh we cannot please God. The flesh is totally opposite than that of the Spirit. The flesh desires things that this world has to offer, while the Spirit desires the things of God. (Ga 5:19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,Ga 5:20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, sedition's, heresies, Ga 5:21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: Of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.Ga 5:22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Ga 5:23Meekness, temperance: Against such there is no law. Ga 5:24And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts). So here we see the works of the flesh and also the fruit of the Spirit. If we at any time walk after the flesh and fulfill one of these works, it grieves the Spirit and causes us to displease God. But by being led by the Holy Spirit, we fulfill the law of Christ which is much pleasing unto God. And I know if I please God, He hears my prayers always. (2Ti 2:3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 2Ti 2:4 No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier). These scriptures tell us that it pleases God when we are persecuted and when we suffer for Christ sake. Many people believe that when you become a Christian all of the problems around you go away. Not only is this not true, but even more problems come your way because you choose to follow Christ. Jesus never promised that we would not have any problems. In fact He gave us forewarning that we will suffer much for His name sake. But He tells us not to worry, because He has won the fight. Although we go through the fire like Shadrach, Mishach, and Abindego, we to will not be burnt by the fire; only as long as we keep our eyes on Him and not on the circumstances. And this also pleases God because it shows Him our faith in Him, that we will believe in Him even though we are persecuted. ( Pr 16:7When a man's ways please the Lord, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him). Now this scripture tells us when we put our faith in God and nothing else; which we have read that it takes faith to please God; then although the enemy will attack, it will not have any type of affect on us. We will still be at peace and have much joy, because our faith is not based on anything that we see and feel but on the Holy Everlasting All Powerfull Word of God. (1Ki 3:7And now, O Lord my God, thou hast made thy servant king instead of David my father: And I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in.
1Ki 3:8And thy servant is in the midst of thy people which thou hast chosen, a great people, that cannot be numbered nor counted for multitude. 1Ki 3:9Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: For who is able to judge this thy so great a people? 1Ki 3:10And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing. It is written here that Solomon's speech pleased the Lord. Why was this so? Well his father was king over Israel, and in these scriptures it is written that David, his father went in unto God and came out for the people. In other words he interceded on their behalf. And here Solomon was asking God to give him the wisdom to do the same. And because of this, it pleased God. Some people can be so selfish, especially when it comes to prayer. It seems the only time they spend time in prayer is to let God hear their own wants and desires. When it comes to interceding for others, many people spend far few hours praying. But we see in scripture that when we do so it is well pleasing unto God. We must remember Jesus who is our greatest example, of how we must walk, did not live for His own self but for all others. And God does not expect any less from us. (He 13:15 By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. He 13:16But to do good and to communicate forget not: For with such sacrifices God is well pleased). Also God is well pleased with our praises and worship to Him. It is written that the prayers we give Him or like a sweet smelling incense unto Him. But also in these scriptures it is written to do good and to communicate forget not. That word communicate here means our lifestyle. He is telling us to let our lives be a righteous and holy life that we may be a light unto this world. We must remember praise alone will not please God. Ask this question today; am I doing all I can to please my God, or am I living for self and no one else? It is a shame to live this life for self and miss out on the things of God. The Word teaches us that we are only travelers, as long as we are on this earth. Our true destination is heaven, to be spent there for eternity. We are put upon this earth to purify us, and try our faith, to see if we are worthy to enter into His holy Gates. So friend, like the apostle said, run the good race,try your best to win the crown, that is where the true treasure is, not here in this world.
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