Love of the World vs The Love of God

      Matthew 16:26-For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

 
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

Do not love the world, neither the things that are in it, for whoever loves the world does not have the love of The Father in him.-1 John 2:15

You may be thinking, "Didn't the Bible say, 'For God so LOVED the world!?'" Yes, the Word does say that and yes it is true. He gave His Son, Jesus Christ for us. But what the 2 scriptures above are saying, is that the "love of the world" is the love for anything temporal that surpasses your love and loyalty for God, a.k.a. "idols of the heart," and/or "false gods." This is in the forms of money, sex, people, popularity, and anything else that is birthed from these things. Satan tried to tempt Jesus in the wilderness with the "love of the world" but not in the way John 3:16 explains it...

Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. He said to Jesus, "I will give you all these things if you will bow down and worship me!"-Matthew 4:8-9

Jesus knew He was being tempted with the lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh and the pride of life. He knew it was a deception and its end would be destruction, not just for Him but  for all of us for eternity. He knew it was a temptation to "worship" someone (Satan) and something other than God Himself, and Jesus knew just how to answer the devil in scripture:

Jesus said to him, "Away from me, Satan! For it is written: 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.'"Matthew 4:10

If we are more concerned with the favor of the world, getting man's approval, or maybe even in your Christian faith standing in the "gray" area, not standing firm in your belief as to not to "offend" anyone, you are against God. His people stand out from the rest. We don't "blend" in any "gray" areas. That sometimes means having to endure persecution from non-believers for our faith. It will happen, but God gives us what we need to endure it and stand our ground. We should be living out of our love and gratitude for God, for His gift of grace and living to please Him alone. We are not perfect, but believers strive for perfection, through Christ who is able to make us strong when we are weak.

"And He said unto me, 'My grace is sufficient for you: for My strength is made perfect in weakness.' Most gladly therefore will I rather boast in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong."-2 Corinthians 12:9-10

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.-Philippians 4:13

A life lived for Christ gains far more riches and glory than a life lived for the world could ever bring. In one day, you could lose it all and you can't take it with you. Store up your treasures in heaven, live for the Lord and receive the crown of life.

Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust does corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:-Matthew 6:19

People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.-1 Timothy 6:9-10

Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."-Hebrews 13:5

Firm Foundation

We know that the foundation of anything we build upon is vital to its survival. The foundation of our faith is no differnet. It affects all aspects of our lives, including our relationship with God nad others. The foundation of our life is anything that you "build your world around." It's the theme and adhesive behind everything you think, say and do. We should be doing an inspection or as I like to say, intropsection, to be sure our foundation is secure and strong.

Christ knew the importance of the foundation of faith and used a parable to convey that importance.

Therefore, anyone who hears these words of Mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew, and beat against  that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.-Matthew 7:24-25

We have to be hearers and doers of what we learn from His Word, in order that we can stand firm in our faith, no matter what storms or swift winds of circumstance come our way. This is what the Bible tells us to do, the consequences in our lives can be castastrophic:

But be doers of the word and not hearers only; deceiving yourselves.-James 1:22

But everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.-Matthew 7:26-27

The Word of God should be the Blueprint for our lives and Christ the Solid Foundation on which we stand. He is our reliable, safe-haven. When we put our faith into practice through humility and obedience, we can be sure we will be heading the right way on the path that leads to righteousness.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.-Proverbs 3:5-6

The meek (humble) will he guide in judgment: and the meek will He teach His way.-Psalm 25:9

Let's face it, life comes at us at warped speed. It is unpredictable at best, and has its seasons of change. Unshakeable faith is faith that has been shaken. We have to experience difficulties in life to build our spiritual muscles, being strengthened in areas in which we are weak, so that we can mature in Christ. Our testimonies that are the most effective for the kingdom are the ones in which we have endured the hardships and storms, which ultimately revealed  the glory of God. How would we know how strong our foundation is if it has never been tested?

Anything we begin, be it relationships, romantic or platonic, business ventures, financial decisions, and ministry, should be handled with prayer, submission and obedience to God's will. Everything we do should kine up with the Word of God. If it doesn't, then it's a good indication you've gone off of the path and have taken a detour. Anything apart from God is an unwise, fruitless attempt to build upon that which will not endure the tempest storms of life. What foundation does your life rest upon?

"Unless the LORD builds the house, they labor in vain who build it."-Psalm 127:1

"And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father by Him."-Colossians 3:17

"And whatever you do, do it heartily unto the Lord, and not to men."-Colossians 3:23

"Therefore, whether you ear ordrink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God."-1 Corinthians 10:31

Advocate for the Underdog

"We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves."-Romans 15:1

 When you think of who is the greatest or the best, who comes to mind? Is it your favorite athlete or sports team?  Is it your favorite artist, band, or actor/actress?

For many, greatness is based on how much we have, or have achieved. The people with the most money, best jobs, best cars, biggest homes and best looks seem to win the world's favor; anything less than the best is less than favorable. How does one live up to expectations such as these? It is no wonder, people are in debt, trying to "keep up with the Jones" and plastic surgery to have the perfect anatomy is at its highest. People are constantly trying to gain approval and live up to the unrealistic expectations of a world that has little to no interest in the lowly. I mean, how many sports fans do you know, that actually cheer on the "underdog!?" When their own "beloved team" loses a game, obscenities and condemnation soon spew from their mouths and on their Facebook pages! So, it is safe to say, that the underdog really has no favor in this world. They are often overlooked, scoffed at, ignored, and rejected.

God, however has a much different view of the underachiever. But mostly, it is the lowly of heart that He seeks to enlist on Team Jesus.

Then there arose a reasoning among them, which of them should be greatest. And Jesus, perceiving the thought of their heart, took a child and set him by Him and said to them, "Whosoever receives this child in My name, receives Me: and whosoever receives Me, receives Him that sent Me: for he that is least among you all, is the greatest."-Luke 9:46-48

Think for a moment, someone who you consider to be weaker than yourself. This could mean weaker physically, spiritually, mentally, emotionally, or all of the above. I want you to picture this person in your mind. What feelings, and thoughts arise when you think of this type of or specific person? Perhaps, you were the bully in school who picked on the weaker ones to make yourself feel and look better? Or, maybe even, a person in your workplace, that you may gossip about?  Maybe someone who has passed by that doesn't have the nicest hair and clothes, that you are whispering about? Perhaps they even smell bad? What about that overweight person, struggling to get out of their vehicle? Or the person who wasn't very educated that "screwed up" your order at the fast food restaurant you were just at? What thoughts and emotions are flooding in your mind, when you think about that person?

Truth is, we've all looked down upon those we've considered "weaker" at some point in our lives. I know I have. And I thank God that He was faithful to convict me on it and to forgive me. I never bullied anyone, but I used to have the most judgmental thoughts and words to say about people, like the ones listed above. One day, I was in a fast food drive-thru, and the guy that handed me my food, got the order wrong. Over one order of 5 piece chicken nuggets, I began to think, "What an idiot!" No sooner did I think it, did God convict me over it. The thought that translated from my spirit was this, "Don't think that way about him. You don't know him or anything about him. I love him, the same as I love you and I want you to think kind thoughts not hateful thoughts. You also do not know what kind of day he has had. Be kind and gracious as I have been to you." I immediately repented and asked for forgiveness, from the Lord. Everyone makes mistakes after all and who was I to react in such an aloof manner and think in such a way, as if the world revolved around me! Another time a few years ago, I saw an obese woman getting out of her vehicle, which was parked in a handicap spot. I thought, "Well, if you didn't eat so much, maybe you wouldn't have those kind of issues!" Oh boy! Did God ever convict me on that one! That woman, could have had a condition that had nothing to do with her eating habits. Maybe she couldn't exercise a lot because of a physical ailment beyond her control. Or, it could have been a thyroid issue, I mean, who knows! The point is, we should not be so quick to judge others and to put others down. That comes from a very ugly place, a place that says, "I am  the greatest," that is pride. And God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble (Proverbs 3:34). Not to mention, pride always comes before destruction (Proverbs 16:18).

God looks for the humble to utilize them to reveal Himself to others, and bring Him glory. God looks to enlist the person, that is moldable and teachable, recognizes their spiritual destitution and brokenness, and is willing to do the will of God. It is through this kind of person, that God can do great and mighty things and raise them up in a way that you'd never think possible.

Our God is an Advocate for the underdog. When Jesus was in the midst of His ministry, he often sat with people, others rejected and looked down upon. When His disciples were questioned about it from the Pharisees, Jesus answered, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick..." (Mark 2:17) He was speaking of spiritual sickness. But as we all know, Jesus was also in the business of healing the physical sicknesses and ailments as well. It was people like those with leprosy, that He touched, and healed. Those people were kept outside of the gates of the city and were rejected as "unclean." Imagine that. They were outside of the city gates, which meant, they were in the most danger and without proper love and care, yet Jesus did not care about what others thought about Him touching those with leprosy, or the woman with the issue of blood, which when a woman bled she was also considered unclean, and sitting with those considered to be misfits, unacceptable in their society. We as believers, are expected to imitate the same. We are the only "Jesus" people can presently see. It's important that we get it right and be consistent.


Then and now, Christ still challenges us to defend the cause of the weak, to love the unlovely, and to overcome evil with good. There are children who are hurting in our schools, even to the point of suicide. There are lonely, forgotten people, who are poor and needy and in need of Christ's love. Even a hug, or a smile, or a "Hello, how are you?" could change this person's world around. How can we proclaim to be believers in Christ, when we are not showing others love and compassion? We are not to be kicking the weak while they are down, but instead we are to extend our hand to help them to their feet, to give them hope, to say, "I accept you, just as you are, and I will help you." We should be finding ways to feed the hungry, embrace the lonely and rejected, and sit and connect with people who most would turn up their nose at. The drug addicted person you see, instead of calling them a "druggie" or a "crackhead" how about, praying for them or helping them find the recovery they need? We all have weaknesses and none of us are perfect no matter what it may look like on the outside.

Be understanding and pray for those who are angry because they have absorbed and buried so much rejection and abuse, and offer a kind word instead. And instead of pointing and laughing at the less fortunate, be thankful that you have clean, nice clothes to wear and a decent home and community to live in and pray that they will also. Share some laughter, to someone who is down trodden, and perhaps a compliment to someone who struggles with their self-esteem, or maybe even offer to help with a make-over.

Jesus Christ, the Messiah, the King the Jews were waiting for, and praying for, came riding in on a donkey, not a steed, a donkey, into the city of Jerusalem. Isaiah 53:2-3 describes the Christ in this way...

He grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him. He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

Jesus can and does empathize with all of our sufferings. He entered this world in a manger, a humble beginning for a humble King. He did not look the way the Jews expected a "king" to look, and so even though He was in their midst and even though He performed all those miracles and spoke the truth, He was rejected. God does things very differently than we. He even says, "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, said the LORD.- Isaiah 55:8 If we are holding ourselves up too high, we could not be further from the things of God. He looks at the heart and sees our true intentions. We can't fool Him with shallow attempts at what we think is right.


But the LORD said unto Samuel, "Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD sees not as man sees; for man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart."-1 Samuel 16:7



We have bodies that we temporarily occupy, but we are souls and we very valuable to God, even if society says we are not. Popular opinion here in the world, is not popular, in the heavenly kingdom. If we want to do what matters for eternity, then we need to be more sensitive and responsive to those who are weaker than ourselves.Our actions and our words have the power to lift up, or cast down. What will you use this power of choice for? I personally "wear the jersey" that says, "I'm rooting for the 'underdog.'"

This is what the LORD says: Do what is just and right. Rescue from the hand of his oppressor the one who has been robbed. Do no wrong or violence to the alien, the fatherless or the widow, and do not shed innocent blood in this place.-Jeremiah 22:3

He gives power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increases strength.-Isaiah 40:29

He judged the cause of the poor and needy; then it was well with him: was not this to know me? said the LORD.-Jeremiah 22:16


I know that the LORD secures justice for the poor and upholds the cause of the needy.-Psalm 140:12


For the director of music. A psalm of David. Blessed is he who has regard for the weak; the LORD delivers him in times of trouble.-Psalm 41:1


But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God has chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;-1 Corinthians 1:27


Once more the humble will rejoice in the LORD; the needy will rejoice in the Holy One of Israel.-Isaiah 29:19

The Message

The Message

                        

The Father knows what we have need of before we even ask of Him, “And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Be not therefore like them: for your Father knows what things you have need of, before you ask Him.”-Matthew 6:7-8

God encourages us to come to Him with all of our supplications and not to worry about them, (Matthew 6:25-34), for He is our Provider, and this builds and strengthens our faith in Him as we trust Him to fulfill our needs.

“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”-Matthew 6:33

Yet, when we are solely focused on ourselves in our prayers, we are not only missing out on the “bigger picture” but we are missing the point altogether.

How can we begin to move on to greater things for the Kingdom, if we are always focused on getting what we want or not trusting God to supply our needs? Praying for our wants and our needs is not wrong, but is what you call more of a “lower level” prayer, the very basics of a prayer life. But as we grow and mature in the Lord, our prayers should be maturing too. As we begin to understand the burdens of others in our lives, our nation, and around the world, the Holy Spirit moves us to pray for them and how to pray for them. Our hearts begin to break for the very things that break His. Through this, our hearts are prepared to enter into greater territory, as we begin to understand what it is we have been called to do. We begin to finally see The Message in neon lights that says, “It’s not about me.”

This life lived for Christ is about self-sacrifice, motivated by the Love of the Father, to love one another. It’s about being a servant, not being served. It’s not about what you can get, but about what you can give. It’s quite unconventional and conflicting with the way the world operates and thinks. It’s no wonder we are rejected, persecuted, mocked, laughed at and thought of as crazy, by the world! A worldly person has too much pride and selfishness to even begin to think about it Christ’s way. They don’t want to give up anything, at least, not without the motive that says, “What’s in it for me?” They think that what we have in Christ is tasteless compared to what they have in the world. It’s like what 1 Peter 4:4 says, “They think it strange that you do not plunge with them into the same flood of indulgence, and they heap abuse on you.” But the opposite is very true. That’s the grand deception. They do not know any better because they have not established a relationship with their Savior yet. They only hear stories of self-denial and only see that which they’d have to give up, instead of what they will gain in exchange. This is why it is vital that we follow the leading of the Spirit, to those who are lost, so that they may be found. The world is looking at you, God’s child, because the Answer they seek is found within you.

Christ says in John 15:5- “I am the Vine, you are the branches: He that abides in Me, and I in him, the same brings forth much fruit: for without Me you can do nothing.”  He was saying we can do nothing that He requires of us, without Him. We have no righteousness, nor power apart from Jesus Christ. We need the life-changing power of the Holy Spirit to change our hearts and mold them after His own, to accomplish the ministry He has set before us. The world is in spiritual destitution and Jesus is the only Cure. We need to be focusing on the needs of others through Jesus Christ. But how will anyone ever know if we aren’t spreading the Gospel of Truth?

“How then, can they call on the One they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the One of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?”-Romans 10:14

God has sent a Savior on our behalf, to save us from ourselves, from the power of the fetters of sin and death, so that we could be free to live the life He has promised to us, the life we were meant to live, for the Upward Cause. We are to lay down our lives, for our brothers and sisters, as in Jesus’ own words:

John 15:13-“Greater love hath no man than this: that a man lay down his life for his friends.”

The Message of  Christ, is all about Love and through His Love, He draws us unto Himself. We are His ambassadors. We are the Body of Christ, in which His Holy Spirit dwells. We are to "feed His sheep" through His Word, as we live by His Spirit, and Love them with the Love He has given us.

Let us ask of the Father, to improve and increase our prayer life, so that it lines up with His will, that He give us wisdom and understanding in the things we face and how to help those in need, that we step outside ourselves and our selfishness, and into the lives of those who need to see Jesus in us and in our lives, and experience His Love. We must decrease, so that He may increase, and receive all the glory due His Name, in Jesus’ Name. Amen!

Be Blessed.

Stake Your Claim

{Mark 8:27-30} v.29 "And He said to them, But whom say you that I am?" And Peter answers and said to Him, "You are the Christ."

The name of Jesus is not unfamiliar in this nation. Statistics are always telling us, that most believe that Jesus actually "existed." Name recognition, however is quite a contrast to "every knee bowing before Him."

I always explain it like this: I know or "recognize" who the president of the United States is, but I don't actually know him, personally. A personal relationship with Christ is what it is all about, not just knowing of Him or that He exists. It's claiming Him for yourself, as your Savior, your Lord, your Rock, your Everything. Yes, it is very personal.

In Jesus' time, there came a point when He asked His disciples, "Whom do men say that I am?" (Mark 8:27) This being because He knew there was controversy and gossip about who He was, due to the way He spoke, taught and of course performed miracles. So, some of His disciples answered Him, And they answered, "John the Baptist; but some say, Elias; and others, One of the prophets." (Mark 8:28) Jesus knew what His disciples were thinking. He didn't ask them this question for His benefit, rather it was for theirs. He wanted them to see that it didn't matter who everyone else thought or said He was, because they did not know Him, nor did they try to. But what did matter, was who they professed Jesus to be. They walked with Him, talked with Him, were taught by Him, prayed with Him, dined with Him and witnessed His many miracles. If anyone could be a witness for Jesus, it was His disciples, who followed Him, wherever He went, even later to the cross. It was showing them the difference between those who did not follow Jesus, and what those people had to say, as opposed to those who did follow Him, His disciples, and what they had to say about the Jesus, the true Jesus they knew so intimately.

Today, perhaps we as believers in Christ, should be asking ourselves the same question: Whom do you say Jesus is?

We are individually responsible for that answer. We can't hang on someone else's coat tails, nor be Grandfathered into heaven. We have to remember what Romans 10:9 says: "...that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." It doesn't say, "If you confess with your mouth that Jesus exists..." That is just the beginning. Faith in Christ is a live-long journey, of doing the will of God. Christ made it very clear in Matthew 7:21: "Not every one that says to Me, 'Lord, Lord', shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that does the will of my Father which is in heaven." By His grace alone, we are able to "walk the talk." He gives us what we need to be a true disciple.

 Reality is, the true confession of your mouth as to whom Jesus is to you, does not only have temporal consequences, but eternal consequences. He knows our hearts. Hold fast to Christ, in this evil age where people create another Jesus other than the one you know to be as Lord of all, the Son of God i.e., Jesus the Ascended Master, Jesus the Prophet, etc. The Truth will not only set you free, it will keep you safe from the wolves in sheep's clothing.

"But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent deceived Eve through his subtlety, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. For if he that comes and preaches another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if you receive another spirit, which you have not received, or another gospel, which you have not accepted, you might well be persuaded."-The Apostle Paul to the Corinthian church (2 Corinthians 11:3-4)

No Limit

Galatians 5:1-"Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ has made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage."

I was just watching this preacher named, Joseph Prince talking about the abundance of grace and the gift of righteousness, that are gifts from God, of course, not earned. He was making a point by saying, "If I was Satan, I would attack these 2 gifts, and I'd assassinate the character of anyone who preaches on these 2." You can tell how powerful the truth is, by the amount of controversy that surrounds it. The devil knows the powerful Truth of God's Word, and he has and will do whatever it takes to keep you from ever receiving it, even if it means creating heresies, confusion, false preachers and teachers, and any lies you'd be willing to let him feed you. The devil is a liar!

Whatever you've been self-condemning yourself for, bring it to the Lord! Let it go into His hands! It does not matter what it is you have done, He will receive you, He will forgive you, He will adopt you, He will cleanse you, He will change you, He will help you...because He loves you...so much He gave His life for you, so that He would not have to live eternity without you. Stop trying to change the conditions of His love that has no conditions. Confess your guilt before Him. Seek Him! Don't allow the devil to keep you bound any longer, by making you think you will never amount to anything, that you can't do anything right, that you've gone to the point of no return and that you'll never be good enough. God says, "I'll take you just as you are; come to Me all you who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest." The Lord is full of kindness, love, mercy, grace, patience, goodness, joy, peace, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. The parable of the prodigal son, is the example Jesus gave to give the understanding of how the Lord deals with the wayward son and daughter ;o). Perhaps, you cannot understand how good He is because it seems "too good to be true." But I tell you, indeed He is true and His promises are true. "He that believes in Me shall not die, but have everlasting life." Your belief in Him through your faith in Him...can move your mountains and break your chains. Don't let the enemy downplay God's grace and throw limitations on it! Go to Him, and receive a rich abundance of His grace and blessings that abound. Once and for all, BE FREE! John 8:36-"So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed."