“Then said his wife unto him, Dost thou still retain thine integrity? curse God, and die.” Job 2:9
In the midst of all Job’s suffering, his wife noticed he retained his integrity. It is way more important of what people see in you then what they say to you.
“Peter answered and said unto him, Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended. 34Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.” Matthew 26:33-34
The more pride a man has and elevates himself above others, declaring that he will not fail like the others, the sooner and more obvious will that fall be. Peter fell that very night and the rooster announced it.
“And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?†Luke 24:32
The reason hearts don’t burn in many of the bible studies that are going on is because Jesus is not allowed to open the scriptures unto the people.
“And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, What thing is this? what new doctrine is this? for with authority commandeth he even the unclean spirits, and they do obey him.” Mark 1:27
People are tired of just hearing doctrine, they need to see it.
“Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage. 5But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise:” Matthew 22:2-3
Apparently, the Lord prepared for the marriage supper and invited guests many generations ago, but man hindered it from happening. The call was made to come, but those who were invited refused. Why do we always think that it is God who always delays things?
“Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.” Matthew 21:43
Nothing can be taken from you unless you possess it. Don’t go thinking that the kingdom can’t be taken from you.
“But last of all he sent unto them his son, saying, They will reverence my son. 38But when the husbandmen saw the son, they said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and let us seize on his inheritance.” Matthew 21:37-38
Jesus, who knows the heart of man, delivers this parable that exposes the heart of the Pharisees, Sadducees and religious leaders. They wanted to seize Jesus’ inheritance. What is the inheritance? It is glory. They wanted to receive the glory and hated Jesus because he received it. Today Jesus sits at the right hand of glory.
“So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.” Matthew 18:35
Jesus said if you don’t forgive, God won’t forgive you. Some may say, “I am under grace so it doesn’t matter if I forgive.” However, grace never cancels out or nullifies what Jesus said. If you have un-forgiveness in your heart, repent; it is then the grace of God takes effect. It will forgive you of un-forgiveness and give you the power to forgive others and even love them.
“Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. 8And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. 9But 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. 10And 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.” Matthew 25:7-10
While seeking the Lord this morning I was letting Him know I was discouraged over the state of the church. I had over the last two days read some statistics that are alarming on what Christians believe today. There is a great departure from truth and an accepting of many things that are evil. Now I have been believing for over a decade that there will be a distinction coming to the church. There will be a separation between the holy and unholy, the just and the unjust, but I always felt that it was going to be the true separating from the false. I determined that the true church would rise up in authority and power and make that clear distinction. However, a different thought came to me while talking with the Lord this morning. He reminded me that it was the foolish virgins who left. As the wise virgins set their heart and mind to go meet the bridegroom, the foolish virgins had to run off and buy, they had to go back and do some trading. As I continued to meditate on what the Lord was speaking to me He spoke to me again. He was not saying that the church would not flow with His Holy Spirit power, but He did point out that once you believe the truth there is nothing higher to believe. For those who resist the truth, there are thousands of different ways they can go. SO CHURCH, STAY ON THE NARROW WAY. FIX YOUR EYES ON THE BRIDEGROOM. LOOK UP FOR YOUR REDEMTION DRAWETH NIGH.
“And when the seventh month was come, and the children of Israel were in the cities, the people gathered themselves together as one man to Jerusalem.” Ezra 3:1
Our generation will begin to understand what the church really is when the believers gather themselves together as one man. That one man must be Christ.
