Habit of Wealth

Through God’s promises, we participate in the divine nature. But if we want to express the divine nature in our human nature, we must form habits and the very first habit we must form is the habit of recognizing God’s provision. 

Do you often find yourself saying, “I can’t afford it”? One of the worst lies is tucked up in this statement. It’s considered bad taste to talk about money how much you have or don’t have and the same is true of spiritual riches. We talk as though our heavenly Father has cut us off without a cent. We think it’s a sign of modesty to say, “It was a real struggle, but I got by.” Meanwhile, all of God Almighty is ours through the Lord Jesus Christ. If we obey God, he will tax the last grain of sand and the remotest star to bless us. 

What does it matter if our external circumstances are difficult? Why shouldn’t they be? If we indulge in the luxury of misery and give way to self-pity, we banish God’s riches from our lives. No sin is worse than self-pity, because it erases God and puts self-interest on the throne. It opens our mouths to spit out streams of complaint, and our lives become constantly craving spiritual sponges, with nothing lovely or generous about them. 

When God is beginning to be satisfied with us, he will impoverish every source of phony wealth in our lives, until we learn that true wealth lies only in him. If we aren’t consciously aware of the fact that his majesty and grace and power are being manifested in us, God holds us responsible. “God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” (2 Corinthians 9:8)

Learn to lavish the blessings of God on others, and his blessings will come through you all the time.

[Oswald Chambers]

2 Peter 1:4 ...  Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

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The Palm Tree!

The Palm tree brings forth its best fruit in old age. The best dates are said to be gathered when it has reached a hundred years. So it is with eminent Christians: the older the better; the older the more beautiful; nay, the older the more useful; and, different from worldlings, the older the happier. The best Christians are those who improve to the end, who grow in grace and in the knowledge of Jesus Christ to the very close of life. 

They loved him at first but now they love him more. At first, they were selfish and only sought to escape from wrath; now they are jealous of the Savior's honor, and long to be saved from sin. At first, they only thought of Jesus as the Priest to save them; now they perceive the Priest upon a throne and love not only the Savior's cross but the Savior's yoke and the Savior's laws. 

One Jesus is their King. And they grow in knowledge of themselves. The truth to which they once assented becomes a deep-wrought experience. "In me, that is, in my flesh, dwells no good thing." And the discovery of this depravity, the knowledge how debased and worthless their nature has become, instead of making them morose and bitter towards their fellow-sharers in the fall makes them lenient and considerate. They know themselves too well to expect perfection in their friends and find brethren to whom they can stick close in the face of obvious failings; and even when they hear of awful wickedness, indignation is chastened by shame and self-consciousness. 

It is something of the old Reformer's feeling when he saw the malefactor led to prison: "There but for the grace of God, goes John Bradford!" And they grow in wisdom. Long experience, and still more the secret of the Lord, dispassionate observation and Heavenly mindedness, have given them sagacity; and sometimes in homely adages, sometimes in direct and sober counsel, they deal forth that mellow wisdom. 

And they grow in spirituality. We have seen those aged pilgrims to whom earthly things at last grew insipid; they had no curiosity for the news of the day, and little taste for fresh and entertaining books. They stuck to God's testimonies, and you never went in to see them, but the ample Bible lay open on the table or the counter; and they could tell the portion which had been that morning's food or the meditation of the previous night. The Word of God dwelt in them so richly, that you could see they were becoming fit to dwell with God; for when a mind has become thoroughly scriptural it needs but another step to make it celestial. And the last harvest came, and the last gleanings of their precious words, and when next we went that way their place knew them no longer. 

They were flourishing in the courts of God's house on high, and we should sit under their shadow and be regaled by their goodness no more. But when we recollected how fair their Christian profession was, how beneficent and serviceable they had ever been, and remembered that their last days were their brightest, and their last fruits their fairest, we said over to ourselves, "The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon; planted in the house of the LORD, they will flourish in the courts of our God. They will still bear fruit in old age; they will stay fresh and green!" 

Dear Christian reader, when your own ear cannot hear it, may this be your eulogy: when your own eye cannot read it, may this be your epitaph. In the meanwhile, for the sake of that Savior who is dishonored by proud and selfish and unlovely disciples, do strive and pray for consistency. And for your own soul's sake, which is dulled by defective views, and depressed by each besetting sin do seek a serene and lofty faith do covet earnestly a blameless life. 

Let your triumphs over self, and your high-hearted zeal for the Savior, let the largeness of your spirit and your Heavenly elevation, let the exuberance of your goodness and the multitude of its special acts, let the fullness of your affections and the freshness of your feelings, and the abundance of your beneficence make the Christian manifest and unmistakable. Let your happy piety be the far-eyed signal announcing an oasis in the desert and pray that your church or congregation may become to weary pilgrims another Elim, where when they came, they found "twelve wells of water, and threescore and ten palm trees."

[James Hamilton]

 

Psalm 92:12-14 ... The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon. Those that be planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God.  They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing; ❤

Return of Christ Predictions

With all of the online hype around the rapture happening next week, I felt it necessary to create this chart of previous predictions and prophecies. As Christians we are called to eagerly await the Lord and be excited for His return. I believe we all desire the day He comes and judges the world and brings us home. 

However, we CANNOT make predictions or prophecies about specific dates. We aren't called to do that. And everyone who does is deceiving the brethren. I hope this chart is helpful for you. Not to discourage you that the Lord isn't coming back, but so that you do not get wrapped up in the online hype. The Lord is indeed coming back, but it will be at a time we do not expect. 

May it be soon!

                                                      www.ChristianPhotoshops.com

Just be ready ... 

Matthew 25:8-10 ... And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.  And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.. ❤

The Last Four Things

1. DEATH – The Inescapable Appointment Death is not a possibility--it is a divine certainty. It is the wages of sin (Romans 6:23), the last enemy (1 Corinthians 15:26), and the doorway to eternity. No one escapes it. The rich and the poor, the righteous and the wicked, the young and the old, all must pass through its shadow. Yet for the believer, death is not the end, but the beginning of glory. Christ has removed the sting of death (1 Corinthians 15:55), and to die is now gain (Philippians 1:21). But for the unrepentant, death seals their eternal doom. "So teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom." (Psalm 90:12) 

2. JUDGMENT – The Unavoidable Reckoning After death comes judgment not reincarnation, not annihilation, not a second chance. Every soul will stand before the throne of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:10). The books will be opened (Revelation 20:12), and every thought, word, and deed will be weighed. For the believer, Christ has borne the judgment. For the unbeliever, every sin will be exposed and justly condemned. There will be no appeals, no excuses, no escape. "For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil." (Ecclesiastes 12:14) 

3. HEAVEN – The Eternal Home of the Redeemed Heaven is not earned, it is purchased by the blood of Christ. It is the home of righteousness (2 Peter 3:13), the dwelling place of God (Revelation 21:3), and the eternal inheritance of the saints (1 Peter 1:4). There, we shall see Christ face to face (1 John 3:2), worship without sin, and rejoice without sorrow. No more tears. No more death. Only unending joy in the presence of the Lamb! "In Your presence there is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore." (Psalm 16:11) 

4. HELL – The Eternal Justice of God Hell is real. It is not a metaphor, not a scare tactic, but a terrifying reality. It is the just punishment for sin, under God's righteous wrath (Matthew 25:46; Revelation 14:10–11). Jesus spoke more of Hell than anyone else in Scripture. The Cross of Christ is the only refuge from the Fire of Hell. Those who reject Christ, will be tormented with burning sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and of the Lamb; the smoke of their torment will rise forever and ever, and they will have no relief day or night. There are many ways to enter Hell. There is only one way to avoid Hell. There is no way to escape Hell. "These will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life." (Matthew 25:46) 

These Four Last Things are not distant abstractions they are imminent realities. You will die. You will be judged. You will spend eternity in either Heaven or Hell. The only hope is Jesus Christ, who died and rose again to save sinners. 

Repent and believe the gospel. Cling to Christ. Live every moment in light of eternity!

[Various Authors]

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Hebrews 9:27 ...  And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:

Amos 4:12 ... Therefore thus will I do unto thee, O Israel: and because I will do this unto thee, prepare to meet thy God, O Israel. ❤

The Church Without a Foundation

I created this image because my heart breaks for all the churches out there not holding to sound doctrine. It's like a building without a solid foundation, and it is very dangerous. 

[Christian Digital Artwork]

www.ChristianPhotoshops.com

Titus 1:9 ... Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.

2 Peter 2:1 ... But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. ❤

Know Him!!

Many grow up in church but never grow in Christ. 

They know a hymn but don't know Him.

Know Christ!

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Philippians 3:10 ... That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;

Ephesians 1:18 ... The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,

Ephesians 3:17-19 ...  That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. 

2 Peter 3:18 ...  But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.❤

Nominal Christians ...

It is to be feared that the great mass of nominal Christians is nothing but unconverted worldlings! "Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world: the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not from the father, but is from the world!" (1 John 2:15-16)  

The lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye, and the pride of life; that is, pleasure, and riches, and honor. These are the great objects of worldly ambition to which every godless heart is attached to! "If after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." (2 Peter 2:20) The Apostle here takes for granted, that this effect will universally and invariably follow that all who know the adorable Savior will escape the pollutions of the world. There never was, nor ever will be, one exception to this truth. 

All who savingly know Christ, will no longer supremely love the world, but escape from its enticements and pollutions. Yet it is to be feared that there are many professing Christians who have never been delivered from the pollutions of the world. Their desires, and hopes, and joys, and pursuits are all worldly. Be assured that you cannot love the world, and God also; for they are diametrically opposed to each other. "You cannot serve God and Mammon." (Matthew 6:24)

Know that while you love and desire and pursue earthly vanities then you have not yet truly devoted yourselves to the Lord Jesus. Whatever your situation or circumstances may be, God's view of worldliness is the same: "You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God! (James 4:4) "Remember Lot's wife!" (Luke 17:32)

Scripture paints the world, and all who love it, in darksome colors. O that all the votaries of gaiety, and fashion, and pleasure, would realize what Scripture compares them to: "Swine wallowing in the mire!" and "Dogs returning to their own vomit!" (Proverbs 26:11)  

Yes, this is the feast to which your earthly friends invite you! Learn to view the world as God views it! Regard it as a country infected with the plague! Let your great concern be to get through it in safety. 

[Charles Simeon]

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2 Corinthians 6:17 ... Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.

Galatians 1:4 ... Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:  ❤

The Religious Man

Balaam is a specimen of multitudes in these last days. An educated and intelligent man, shrewd and quick seeing, of respectable character, high in favor with the rich and great a religious man too, after a fashion. But he is fond of the world, fond of money, fond of preferment. He is one who would not let his religion stand in the way of his advancement. He could pocket all scruples, if only he could pocket a little gold along with them. He is hollow of heart, but with an acceptable outside. His worldly interests are the main thing to him. He would rather not risk offending God, but yet he would not like to lose Balak's rewards and honors. He would rather not take up his cross, nor deny himself, nor forsake all for God. So is it with multitudes among us! 

They want as much religion as they imagine will save them from Hell and not an atom more! The world is their real God. Gold is their idol. It is in mammon's temple that they worship. Love God with all their heart. They don't so much as understand the meaning of such a thing. Sacrifice riches, place, honor, friends to Christ. They scoff at the thing as madness. Don't trifle with religion. Don't mock God. Do not love the world. Be pious in your inmost soul. Don't mistake sentimentalism for genuine piety, or a good character for the New Birth. 

This world OR the world to come that is the alternative; not this world AND the world to come. Christ must be all or nothing! No middle ground; no half discipleship; no compromise. The friendship of the world is enmity with God. Come out and be separate. The New Birth, or no religion at all. 

[Horatius Bonar] 

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Numbers 23:7, 10... And he took up his parable, and said, Balak the king of Moab hath brought me from Aram, out of the mountains of the east, saying, Come, curse me Jacob, and come, defy Israel..... Who can count the dust of Jacob, and the number of the fourth part of Israel? Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his!

2 Peter 2:15 ... Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; ❤

Always on Time!

Our God does not see time as we see time. We learned yesterday that we cannot lean on our own understanding. God’s ways far surpass anything that we could ever assign understanding to. The mere fact that, “a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day,” is beyond mind boggling for our human brains. 

God has a promise for each of our lives. His promise is waiting for us to grow, change, and be transformed in mind and spirit so that we can take on what He has for us. His promises can be small and grand. He is with us each step of the way. Giving us pieces as we give Him the pieces of our lives. 

If ever we feel like things are moving slowly, we should give Him praise and be grateful that He is preparing us fully, not leaving anything to chance. The world around us wants us preoccupied with staying hurried and on a specified timeline. That is no way to live freely. That way of life will always leave us feeling trapped, overwhelmed, and guilty if we do not meet the standard. God lives outside of the standard. He sets a different standard. Let’s live with Him outside the lines. 

[Lauren Frazier]

2 Peter 3:8-9 ..  But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. ❤

Hidden in Plain Sight

 Pay attention to everything going on around you.  

Look closely.

America has fallen away, turning Her back on God.

Repent, people. 

Proverbs 14:34 ... Righteousness exalts a nation,    but sin condemns any people.

2 Peter 3:9 ...  The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. ❤

Growth in Grace!!

Growth in grace is evidenced by a more habitual vigilance against besetting sins and temptations, and by greater self-denial in regard to personal indulgence. A growing conscientiousness in regard to what may be called minor Christian duties is also a good sign. (The counterfeit of this is an over-scrupulous conscience, which sometimes haggles at the most innocent gratifications, and has led some to hesitate about taking their daily food.) 

Increasing spiritual mindedness is sure evidence of progress in piety; and this will always be accompanied by increasing deadness to the world. Continued aspirations for God, indicate the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, by whose agency all progress in sanctification is made. Increasing solicitude for the salvation of men, sorrow on account of their sinful and miserable condition, and a disposition tenderly to warn sinners of their danger evince a growing state of piety. 

It is also strong evidence of growth in grace, when you can bear injuries and provocations with meekness, and when you can from the heart, desire the temporal and eternal welfare of your bitterest enemies. An entire and confident reliance on the promises and providence of God, however dark may be your horizon, or however many difficulties environ you is a sign that you have learned to live by faith. Humble contentment with your condition, though it is one of poverty and obscurity shows that you have profited by sitting at the feet of Jesus. 

Diligence in the duties of our secular calling, with a view to the glory of God is evidence not to be despised. Indeed, there is no surer standard of spiritual growth, than a habit of aiming at the glory of God in everything! Increasing love to the brethren is a sure sign of growth; for as brotherly love is a proof of the existence of grace, so is the exercise of such love a proof of vigor in the divine life. A victory over besetting sins by which the person was frequently led away shows an increased vigor in grace. Sometimes the children of God grow faster when in the fiery furnace than elsewhere. As metals are purified by being cast into the fire so saints have their dross consumed and their graces brightened, by being cast into the furnace of affliction! 

[Archibald Alexander] 

2 Peter 3:18 ... But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.

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Be Ready!!

There won't be time to get ready. 

 You have to be ready!

2 Peter 3:10-11 ... But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, ❤

The Great Foster Parent!!

Saving faith is the great foster-parent of all that belongs to scriptural piety. Faith begets true worship, godly fear, devout thanksgiving, genuine humility, Christian boldness, holy joy, evangelical repentance, enlarged liberality, fervent love, a pure conscience, a holy life, victory over the world, eternal glory! 

Faith gazes upon the cross until the course of the new nature is set on fire with heavenly love! Saving faith unites to Christ, lays hold of salvation, conquers every foe, brings every blessing into the soul, pronounces death abolished, always begets humility, is self-renouncing, consents to be nothing, that God may be all and in all, excludes boasting, is jealous for God's honor, brings forth forgiveness to enemies, begets repentance, nourishes other graces, ever clings to the fullness of Christ, kindles love to an unseen Savior, is ever laying its crown at the feet of Immanuel, puts things in their proper place, abases the sinner in the dust, sets God on the throne of universal dominion, pronounces all God's ways just and right, counts all things as loss, for the excellency of the knowledge of God's dear Son!

[William Plumer]

If you desire . . .
  a useful life,
  a pleasant old age,
  a comfortable death,
  a blissful immortality,
believe God,
trust to His grace,
rely on His Son.

Rely on . . .
  God alone as your Father,
  Christ alone as your Redeemer,
  the Holy Spirit alone as your Comforter.

2 Peter 1:1 ... Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ:

Hebrews 11:7 ... By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.

Romans 4:5 ...  But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. ❤

Jesus Christ is Completely Sufficient!!

One of the great tenets of Scripture, is the claim that Jesus Christ is completely sufficient for all matters of life and godliness! 2 Peter 1:3-4

He is sufficient for:

  Creation (Colossians 1:16-17)

  Salvation (Hebrews 10:10-12)

  Sanctification (Ephesians 5:26-27)

  and Glorification (Romans 8:30).

So pure is He, that there is no blemish, stain, spot of sin, defilement, deception, corruption, error, or imperfection in Him! (1 Peter 1:18-20)

So complete is He, that:

  there is no other God besides Him (Isaiah 45:5)

  He is the only begotten Son (John 1:14, John 1:18)

  all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are in Him (Colossians 2:3)

  the fullness of the Godhead dwells bodily in Him (Colossians 2:9)

  He is heir of all things (Hebrews 1:2)

  He created all things, and all things were made by Him,

      through Him, and for Him (Colossians 1:16)

  He upholds all things by the word of His power (Colossians 1:17, Hebrews 1:3)

  He is the firstborn of all creation (Colossians 1:15)

  He is the exact representation of God (Hebrews 1:3).

He has no beginning and no end (Revelation 1:17-18)

He is the spotless Lamb of God (John 1:29)

He is our peace (Ephesians 2:14)

He is our hope (1 Timothy 1:1)

He is our life (Colossians 3:4)

He is the living and true Way (John 14:6)

He is the Root and Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star (Revelation 22:16)

He is Faithful and True (Revelation 19:11)

He is the Author and Finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:1-2)

He is Captain of our Salvation (Hebrews 2:10) 

He is the Elect One (Isaiah 42:1)

He is the Apostle and High-Priest of our confession (Hebrews 3:1)

He is the Righteous Servant (Isaiah 53:11)

He is the Lord Almighty (Malachi 3:17)

He is the Redeemer (Isaiah 41:14)

He is the Holy One of Israel (Isaiah 54:5)

He is the God of the whole earth (Isaiah 54:5)

He is the Man of Sorrows (Isaiah 53:3)

He is the Light of the world (John 9:5)

He is the Son of Man (Matthew 20:28)

He is the true Vine (John 15:5)

He is the Bread of Life (John 6:48)

He is the Door to Heaven (John 10:7)

He is the Sovereign Lord (Philippians 2:10-13)

He is Prophet, Priest and King (Hebrews 1:1-3)

He is our Sabbath rest (Hebrews 4:9)

He is our Righteousness (Jeremiah 23:6)

He is the Wonderful Counselor, the Mighty God,

    the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6)

He is the Chief Shepherd (1 Peter 5:4)

He is the Lion of Judah (Revelation 5:5)

He is the Rock of Salvation (Psalm 62:2)

He is the Ancient of Days (Daniel 7:13)

He is the Counselor and Comforter (John 14:26)

He is the Messiah (John 4:25-26) and

He is the great I AM! (John 8:58) 

[Author Unknown]

Colossians 2:9-10 ... For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.  And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: ❤

Prosperity Preachers

Did God not call you to work? 

The apostle Paul labored throughout his ministry until he went to prison as a tentmaker. Paul, from what we read in scripture, owned a small business. Why did Paul do this? Because he desired, he would not take from those who were already suffering economically. Paul worked with his own hands to earn what was needed to pay for his ministry.  We also have a small glimpse into Paul's economic costs as Paul had to offset the costs for paper, personal expenses, and paying someone to carry the same letters he would write to the churches; those were economic costs that he alone paid for. Why? Because Paul did not want to become a burden on the churches.  That's not to suggest that Paul never took gifts from the local body, but he never desired it either. Again, because Paul understood the principles of work. 

Sadly, that is a far cry from today's religious capitalism run amuck today in our church culture. Recently, I watched a well-known "preacher" who called her people, and those who were watching, to sow a seed of 3,000 dollars. If you did the math, just 100 people alone from an audience of over a million would generate $300,000 in income, tax-free. That's just 100 people! Imagine if the number of people hoodwinked to give the same amount was 35,000? That's a lot of money. Sadly still, that's a lot of foolish people. This is the problem with people today who have taken ministry as the "get rich" road to economic freedom, but it comes at the cost of those who never truly find God's blessing. 

Only the well-dressed, charismatic scripture-quoting or social media influencer gets wealthy. Ask those YouTube and TikTok influencers if they trusted God enough to demonetize their channel; they won't because greed is good. In over 35 countries where Ruth and I have traveled, I have seen the influence of the greed gospel slowly infiltrate into poorer, developing countries because someone learned the tricks of the trade to manipulate the people into giving to get. In Africa alone, the American church has given over 4 trillion dollars in aid to the large continent, and what do we have to show for it? More economic disparity. Same with India, Pakistan, and other nations trying to sustain their people through genuine economic growth and development. But what is the continued hindrance in many of these nations? The church and its message of greed. 

This notion of not having to work for a living has ruined many small churches because the pastor (in America) doesn't want to hold a secular job. And who suffers for it? The church itself. Most, if not all, of these well-known television mega ministries have done a disservice to young men and women today because they have projected an idea that says the ministry is better than service. Yes, some people will do very well financially in their gimmick, but it comes at a price, like winning the lotto. Because to sustain their wealth, they must keep doing bigger gimmicks and preach in churches large and small to keep the money flowing. 

Yes, pastoring is hard. The struggle to build is equally harder, but it should not come at the cost of the people who will earnestly give their last dollar because they truly love God and his work. They will be blessed, but the preacher who took it under false pretenses will suffer the greater loss. Guaranteed. Get a job.

[Christopher Gregory]

Acts 20:28-29 ... Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.  For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.

Matthew 16:11-12 ... How is it that ye do not understand that I spake it not to you concerning bread, that ye should beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees?  Then understood they how that he bade them not beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.

2 Peter 3:17 ...  Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness. ❤

The Promises of God!!

The promises of God are an inexhaustible mine of wealth to the believer. Happy is it for him if he knows how to search out their secret veins and enrich himself with their hidden treasures. 

The promises of God are a spiritual armory, containing all kinds of offensive and defensive weapons. Blessed is he who has learned to enter into the sacred arsenal, to put on the breastplate and the helmet, and to lay his hand to the spear and to the sword! 

The promises of God are a spiritual pharmacy, in which the believer will find all kinds of restoratives and blessed elixirs. There is an ointment for every wound, a cordial for every faintness, a remedy for every disease. Blessed is he who is well skilled in heavenly pharmacy and knows how to lay hold on the healing virtues of the promises of God! 

The promises are a spiritual storehouse of food to the Christian. They are as the granaries which Joseph built in Egypt, or as the golden pot wherein the manna was preserved. Blessed is he who can take the five barley loaves and fishes of promise and break them until his five thousand necessities shall all be supplied, and he is able to gather up baskets full of fragments. 

The promises are the Christian's Magna Carta of blessings; they are the title deeds of his heavenly estate! Happy is he who knows how to read them well and call them all his own. Yes, they are the jewel room in which the Christian's crown treasures are preserved. The regalia are his, secretly to admire today which he shall openly wear in Paradise hereafter! 

He is already privileged as a king with the silver key that unlocks the strong room; he may even now grasp the scepter, wear the crown, and put the imperial mantle upon his shoulders! 

O, how unutterably rich are the promises of our faithful, covenant-keeping God! If we had the tongue of the mightiest of orators, and if that tongue could be touched with a live coal from off the altar yet still it could not utter a tenth of the praises of the exceeding great and precious promises of God. Nay, those who have entered into Heavenly rest, whose tongues are attuned to the lofty and rapturous eloquence of cherubim and seraphim even they can never tell the height and depth, the length and breadth of the unsearchable riches of Christ, which are stored up in the treasure house of God the promises of the covenant of His grace! 

[Charles H. Spurgeon] 

2 Peter 1:4 ... Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

✫❤•°*”˜˜”*°•.❤✫...•°*”˜˜”*°•.❤✫...•°*”˜˜”*°•.❤✫

True Godliness!!

True Godliness leaves the world convinced beyond a shadow of a doubt that the only explanation for you, is Jesus.

[Ian Thomas]

1 Timothy 6:6 ... But godliness with contentment is great gain.

2 Peter 1:3 ...  According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:  ❤

The Difference.

The difference between the prophets of the Old Testament, John the Baptist and Agabus of the New Testament versus the so-called prophets of today is the message. 

The message of the ancient prophets of yesterday would get them killed, the prophets today will garner them praise and lucrative book deals. 

That’s the difference. 

[Christopher Gregory]

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Acts 20:29 ... For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.

2 Timothy 4:3-4 ... For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;  And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

2 Peter 2:1 ... But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. ❤

His Glory!!

There is no surer characteristic of a sincere lover of Christ, than a habitual desire to be like Christ, and an ardent zeal to promote His glory! 

[Archibald Alexander]

Galatians 6:14 ... But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.

2 Peter 3:18 ... But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world. ❤

His Return ...

... is closer than you think.

2 Peter 3:9 ... The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

Romans 13:11 ... And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.

Luke 12:37 ... Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them. ❤