Many times… someone will say… “Wasn’t That A Blessing!” Surely you have ‘heard’ that before. What about the people; that over extended ‘themselves’ and ‘purchased’ a house… they could ‘not’ possibly afford. “Look at the house the Lord blessed us with!” Then some time later, after defaulting on the mortgage… they are now in ‘Foreclosure?’ Did in fact… The Lord bless them, or was it Satan…?
*** (Luke 4:4) And Jesus answered him [Satan], saying, It is written, = That man shall not live by bread alone, = but by every word of God.
*** (1Corinthians 14:33) For God is not the author of confusion, = but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.
*** (1Corinthians 14:40) Let all things = be done decently = and in order.
Here in America… many wrongly give credit to the ‘Wrong Person!’ When something comes to pass… they wrongly call it ‘Good!’ Does being in “Un-Repayable Debt”… sound like it is from God? Old Testament Israel was given the “Covenant of the Law”; with the promises of ‘Blessing for Obedience’ and ‘Cursing for Disobedience’. Many in the Church have taken the… “Provisional Promises of Israel”… and ‘Wrongly’… equated them to the NT Church.
*** (James 1:13-to-16) Let no one being tempted say, I am tempted from God. For God is not tempted by evils, and He tempts no one.
(Jas 1:14) But each one is tempted by his lusts, being drawn away and seduced by them.
(Jas 1:15) Then when lust has conceived, it brings forth sin. And sin, when it is fully formed, brings forth death.
(Jas 1:16) Do not err, my beloved brothers.
*** (Psalms 106:15) And He [God] gave them what they asked, = but sent leanness = into their soul.
*** (Matthew 13:38) the field is the world; the good seed are the sons of the kingdom; = but the darnel are the sons of the evil one.
Did you know… that the Evil One – Satan… has sons? They follow his ways and his principles and are blessed by him. “That can’t be so”… someone will say to me! Ok, may I ask you a question? Where do ‘illegal’ drug dealers get their ‘blessings from?’ Surely you will not tell me it is from God? Most do not know… that this world’s systems and policies are under the direct control of Satan, as well as positions of “Prominence”.
*** (Luke 4:6-7-8) And the Devil said to Him [Jesus], All this power = I will give you, = and the glory of them; = for it has been = delivered = to me. = And = I give it = to whomever = I will.
(Luke 4:7) Therefore if you will worship me, all shall be yours.
(Luke 4:8) And Jesus answered and said to him, = Get behind me, Satan! = For it is written, = "You shall worship the Lord your God, = and Him = only = shall you serve."
*** (Ephesians 2:1-2) And He [Jesus] has made you alive, who were once dead in trespasses and sins,
(Eph 2:2) in which you once walked = according to the course of this world, = according = to the prince = of the power of the air, = the spirit = that now works = in the children of disobedience;
*** (John 12:30-31) Jesus answered and said, This voice did not come because of Me, but for your sakes.
(John 12:31) Now is the judgment of this world. Now shall = the prince of this world be cast out.
About now… if you are thinking about this, you may begin to question some of the decisions you have made? Is what you own… ‘really a blessing’… or has it become a burden. Is your ‘joy of life’ gone, because of the financial drain on your resources and even more… on your mind? Remember two easy lessons… “What you Own… Owns You!” … and … “Less is More!” Perhaps you have been looking for an out… because of the ‘Emotional and Mental’ strain… some purchase has taken on your “Soul”…?
*** (1John 2:15-16-17) Do not love the world, = nor the things in the world. = If anyone = loves the world, = the love of the Father = is = not = in = him,
(1Jn 2:16) because = all that is in the world, = the lust of the flesh, = and the lust of the eyes, = and the pride of life, = is not = of the Father, = but is of the world.
(1Jn 2:17) And the world passes away, = and the lust of it, = but he who does = the will [Word] of God abides forever.
*** (James 4:4-5-6) Adulterers and adulteresses! = Do you not know = that the friendship of the world = is war with God? = Therefore whoever desires = to be a friend of the world = is the enemy of God.
(Jas 4:5) Do you think that the Scripture says in vain, = The spirit that dwells in us yearns to envy?
(Jas 4:6) But He gives more grace. = Therefore He says, = God resists the proud, = but He gives grace to the humble.
*** (1Timothy 6:6-7-8) Of course, = godliness with contentment = does bring a great profit.
(1Tim 6:7) For we did not bring anything = into the world, = and surely = we cannot take anything = out of it.
(1Tim 6:8) So as long as we have = food and coverings, = we will be satisfied with these.
Did you ever think… any of your purchase = “Through / Thoroughly?” Sure it takes some effort, time and planning. But it is well worth the peace of mind. God, the God of the Bible never intended His children… to be held captive with and by… ‘Their Possessions!’ He never intended them to have that… “I need it Now”… philosophy that is so prevalent in every facet of our life experiences. Surely you have see the World’s Philosophy… “He that dies with the most toys… Wins!” That is not for the Real Child of God!
*** (Matthew 6:19-20-21) Do not lay up treasures on earth for yourselves, where moth and rust corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal.
(Matt 6:20) But layup treasures in Heaven for yourselves, where neither moth nor rust corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal.
(Matt 6:21) For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
*** (Luke 12:34) For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
*** (Luke 16:10-11) He who is faithful in the least is also faithful in much. And he who is unjust in the least is also unjust in much.
(Luke 16:11) Therefore if you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will entrust = the true riches = to you?
The very next time… you are going to make a purchase; “Simply Ask Yourselves”… do I really ‘need’ this… or is this a ‘want?’ In my closet are some shirts and pants that are 20-years old. Now in the vernacular they are referred to as… ‘Retro!’ But they are perfectly good. Style is something made up by those that want to continue to sell clothing. Simply watch that movie, ‘The devil wears Prada.’ It will help you understand the vanity of the clothing we wear.
So where do I go… from here? Surely one thing is true… “Expenses always rise to meet income!” “The more we have… the more we spend”. What are the “True Riches”… that Jesus spoke about in the above scripture verses? May I suggest those “True Riches” are simply… “The Knowledge of God, through His Holy Word, The Bible = and = Your Obedience to Him”…?
*** (Titus 3:8) Faithful is the Word, and as to these things, I desire that you strongly affirm that those believing God = might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men.
*** (2Timothy 2:3-4-5) Therefore endure hardness, = as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
(2Tim 2:4) No one who wars = tangles with the affairs of this life, = that he may please Him [Jesus] = Who chose him = to be a soldier.
(2Tim 2:5) And also IF = anyone competes, = he is not crowned = unless = he competes = lawfully.
Thank you, In Christ, Roger.
Ende….!
