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PRIORITIES, WHAT ARE YOURS?...TRUTH IS...

Updated on August 19, 2016

ARE YOU AWARE OF WHERE WE ARE IN TIME?

Something came to my attention the other day that I found quite disturbing; in fact it was more than a cause for concern, it brought a sense of sadness to my heart. As is my practice, I took it to GOD in prayer and the answer I got is what you are now reading...Truth Is...

We all know about the many televangelists out there; how charismatic they are! How well-spoken and faith-inspiring! One of these that i have had occasion to hear made a statement that made the hairs on the back of my neck stand-up and warning bells and sirens went off! Mind you, this isn't the first time I have heard this man say something that didn't quite sit well with my spirit; as usual and thanks to the Lord, recognition kicked-in.That is a blessing most assuredly...and a protection...Truth Is...

What any person taking on the HUGE responsibility of teaching, preaching, or evangelizing must realize is that there are people that actually listen to us and those people are actually looking for GOD's word, (not ours), to come forth out of our mouths, to uplift, build, and give hope, not to entertain and pacify. Given that, we must be very careful of what we say and be ever mindful of our own intentions. The very best way to do that is to remain steadfast in presenting what can be found in GOD's word without our own interpretation(s) as we also encourage individuals to have personal bible reading and study for additional clarification.

2Timothy 3:16 says that:"All scripture is inspired of GOD and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction and for training in righteousness, that the man of GOD may be complete for every good work..." In essence, anything that you need to know and apply to and in your life can be found in the bible...if and only if you apply it...Truth Is...

This "minister" stood before the congregation of salvation-seeking children of GOD and said: "You don't always have to go by the words in the bible, sometimes you you have to go by what the 'spirit' tells you"...well if the bible is "inspired by GOD and it is by means of his Holy spirit that it was written, exactly WHAT "spirit" was this man talking about that you should listen to other than the words found in GOD's word?!!! What scriptures could he possibly be telling us that we" don't necessarily have to follow? and who's instruction was he telling us to follow? These are vital questions to ask considering the fact that your salvation and that of your loved ones is involved!

So let's scripturally consider these questions and see exactly what Truth Is...

First and foremost remember that these people on TV want and need something from you: M-O-N-E-Y! They say they need your contributions in order to perpetuate their ministry and this is true; but standing on what we know of GOD, if in fact this or any ministry is of GOD would it not prosper with or without your money? I know this: if it is of GOD it will first be effective, then HE will sustain it with no need to persistently prod and cajole you under threat that displeasing GOD and missing "blessing" if you do not contribute, or even that donating is a way of receiving blessings. Jesus never taught that, nor did his disciples. What they gave was given to the congregation members; ALL of it...Truth Is...

What if you simply cant contribute? Does that mean that the homeless man or the mother of three who barely scrapes together her pennies to feed he family can't be blessed because she doesn't contribute to the church?What if she gives her whole heart, mind and strength to GOD and his will, and that's all she can afford? Isn't that Jesus said that GOD really wants? ISAIAH 55:1,2 asks the question:"WHY DO YOU SPEND MONEY FOR THAT WHICH IS NOT BREAD(FOOD)? VERSE ONE SAYS ..."EVERYONE THAT THIRSTS COME TO THE WATERS AND HE WHO HAS NO MONEY COME, EAT! come BUY WINE AND MILK WITHOUT MONEY!..." The essence of this is that GOD will give you life-sustaining wisdom, teaching, direction, and guidance that cost nothing but you compliance to his will. It is a given that HE will also provide for your survival when it is him that you endeavor to please(not men).As for those who stand up and convey GOD's word, would it not also follow that HE would do the same for them and their ministry? Truth Is.. Ministry collects no tithes, asks for nothing but your compliance and that you apply what you learn here. I often face hardships, but I eat daily and always find myself sheltered.

Don't misunderstand what is being said here, there is nothing wrong with contributing to any ministry that brings you close to doing GOD's will and improves your relationship with him. BUT YOU SHOULD NOT BE UNDER COMPULSION TO DO SO, nor should you be told that you won't be blessed if you don't! This is a deliberate act of "perfidy": The intentional misrepresentation of facts or truth, treachery, or a breach of loyalty(to GOD and you) or faith. Roget's Thesaurus renders it: distortion, falsehood, double-dealing, dishonesty, untrue, wrong, cunning, deceitful, fraudulent, deceptive; to dissemble. It is a play on the fact that in these times we are faced with so much turmoil, distress and need that we are looking for a way out or hope as it were. Society has taught us that money can bring this about and the church in general plays upon that and preys upon it's members through it.

Let's stay scriptural here and read the words found at 2Timothy 3:1-7:"but in the last days there will come times of distress...for men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, proud, inhumane, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, implacable,(never pleased), slanderers, profligates(without restraint or self-control), fierce, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit(pride, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of GOD, holding a form of religion, but denying it's power..." though these things were written thousands of years ago they apply so well to the times we live in today, particularly pertaining to those who profess to serve GOD and teach his word.This should give you the assurance that we are in fact living in the "Last Days" spoken of.

Just because their words make you "feel good" about having a relationship with GOD doesn't mean you are being properly taught by today's ministers; particularly the televangelists, also known as "charismatics". The word charismatic/charisma comes from the Latin and Greek for "Charm", denoting spell-casting, witchcraft. turn now to Matthew 7:21-23 and see that Jesus KNEW these mis-leaders of the truth would be prevalent in these the "Last days".Jesus said:" Not everyone who says to me Lord-Lord will enter into the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven( notice Jesus didn't say HIS own will, but GOD'S). on THAT DAY many will say to me: Lord, Lord did we not prophesy in your name("In the name of Jesus!"), did we not cast out demons in your name("In the name of Jesus I command you!"), and do many mighty works in your name("We are the what-ever Jesus people and we have accomplished this and that in the name of the Lord"); but notice what Jesus says next: "..and i will declare unto them I never knew you; depart from me you evildoers!"...These are Jesus' words, not mine or anyone else's.

So why are these charismatic preachers so prevalent? Because it was foretold that they would be. Go back to 2Timothy 3:6: "For among them are those who make their way into households (via television often) and capture weak women, burdened with sin and swayed by impulse, who will listen to anybody and can never arrive at an understanding of the truth" Some translations say the words: "Accurate knowledge", there is a difference between knowledge and 'accurate knowledge'.

That is why you have to pay close attention not only to what these people are saying, but also how applying what they say affects your life and your relationship with GOD. Obtaining money does not equal GOD's favor. Also, application of what they preach often results in the loss of very good or progressing relationships you may have because your mate or friends don't fit into the varied pigeon hole slots they set forth. Remember, their major goal is to gain your support (financially) for their ministry; not compliance with GOD's word as they rarely even teach the things that Jesus taught...

Another word about this same televangelist...On another occasion he said that "Jesus wasn't poor"...ok...Jesus lived in fact, off of donations from people; he and his disciples actually had to pluck grains growing in a field as they walked through it as noted in one bible passage. If he didn't make a miracle for himself and his closest disciples to eat, what makes you think he will for you to have riches? There were the occasions that he divided a few loaves and fishes to feed the people who were following him and had gathered to hear his teaching; but consider this: If he were rich, why didn't he just buy the provisions? Also, this was done for people gathered to hear his instruction; what is generally taught in church isn't the same thing as what Jesus taught, there's no exhortation to evangelize in today's sermons, there's no compelling to give to those in need above your own wants, no telling how you should love everyone regardless of their station or status; there's simply praise Jesus and pay tithes and GOD will make you prosperous...perfidy...Did not Jesus speak disparagingly of the rich and assert that it would be extremely difficult for a rich man to enter GOD's kingdom? If that is so, WHY would GOD want you to be prosperous in this world in which HE has condemned and slated for destruction?!!! Additionally, with riches comes complacency and satisfaction to a much greater degree; it's already a battle to get so-called "christians" to exert any effort on behalf of anyone outside of their church or 'inner-circle' as it is, much less than to evangelize which was his last instruction....Truth Is...If you have everything you want(or "claimed), what do you have to strive after? Didn't Jesus say to "Seek ye first the kingdom of GOD and his righteousness, then everything else will be added unto you"? Jesus did NOT teach prosperity, Which draws one to ask the question: Do you actual READ your bibles? You simply can not rely on your pastor to tell you what the bible says, the bible its'self instructs us to Read it day and Night.

Turn to 2 Timothy 4:3 where it says:"For the time is coming that people will not endure sound teaching, but having 'itching' ears' will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own likings and will turn away from the truth and wander into myths" This speaks to the fact that nobody wants to hear that you have to sacrifice, to struggle, to suffer, to work diligently to both maintain faith and GOD's favor, nobody wants to go against their selfish human nature and consider others above them self or even obey GOD when it's not what they really want to do, or they won't be rewarded immediately. Isn't it much more pleasant to hear someone telling you that GOD wants you to be prosperous, or that you're "Saved" and going to heaven as long as you claim the blood of Jesus? But remember what we just read that JESUS said at Matthew 7:21,22 ok?

WHY WOULD GOD WANT US TO SUFFER? IT'S MORE THAT HE WANTS YOU TO SHOW HIM YOUR DEVOTION AND DEDICATION TO THE TRUTH THAT WE NEED HIM AT EVERY TURN (PROVERBS 3:1-5) AND ARE WILLING TO WITHSTAND ANY AND EVERYTHING(WITH HIS HELP OF COURSE), in order to show your faith and allegiance?


My final word is one of encouragement: Pray more and with more sincerity. If you lack sincerity you actually know that too! But did you know that you can actually ask GOD to help you to be sincere? and HE WILL help? What a wonderful GOD HE is indeed! (Matthew 7:7-12) These are the things that please GOD, you better believe that HE will give you anything that will help you obey and comply with his will.

Just think, you have just received a healthy meal from GOD and it didn't cost you a dime! No tithes, no "missions" collection, no "appreciation day", etc. Just Life's Water...FREE!

***It is important that I tell you that during the writing of this article my computer went "crazy" at various crucial moments and i had to literally stop and pray each time and the problem was stopped and I was able to continue this to completion. All Praise to the Almighty!

I leave you with this one last scripture from the COMPLETE Word of GOD: Matthew 6: 25-33...Truth Is...

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