Michael continues: Jesus told the church of Laodecea,
"You're rich and you think you have
need of nothing." They had enshrined their "Declaration of
Independence" from Almighty God. This is the curse of many churches
in America today. They think that they are prosperous and blessed in the
physical realm because of their own good works and their own priority to accumulate
physical "blessings." However, the warning of God is "take heed and beware of covetousness, for a
man's life consists not in the abundance of things which he possesses."
To walk in fellowship with God, we must keep a "light touch" on the
things of this earth. To live the abundant
life we must seek the Blessor and not the blessings. Therefore, blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord
and blessed are those who wait upon the
Lord – Isaiah 40:31. For what does it profit a man if he gains
the whole world but loses his soul – Mark
8:36.
The nature of God is loving kindness and tender mercy. His nature is to bless those who call upon the name of the Lord. How can we walk in love and show the mercy of God? An act of unconditional love expects nothing in return. The word of God says, "in everything give thanks." We can even be thankful in the midst of trials and tribulations. In these times of trial today, we can rejoice despite suffering when we set our affections on things above. God will change our mind and our mindset, when we focus on Him and not on ourselves. For tribulation works patience, and patience experience, and experience hope, and hope makes not ashamed because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit which is given to us - Romans 5:3.
According to 1 Corinthians 6:19, “Know ye not that your bodies are the temples of the Holy Spirit?” American Christians are afraid that they will lose their "dignity." However, sometimes God calls us to dance unashamedly and unabashedly. Our heart will be set free when our shame is undone. “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of the cross of Christ. For it is unto those who are saved the sweet smelling fragrance of life unto life” - 2 Corinthians 2:15.
What is the heart of the matter? The first and great commandment is to Love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, soul, mind and strength – Matthew 22:37. It's not about behavior modification. It's about heart modification. As David said, “Create within me a new heart O Lord” – Psalm 51:10. “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting” – Psalm 139:23.
May God richly bless you!
Your brother in Christ, Michael
The nature of God is loving kindness and tender mercy. His nature is to bless those who call upon the name of the Lord. How can we walk in love and show the mercy of God? An act of unconditional love expects nothing in return. The word of God says, "in everything give thanks." We can even be thankful in the midst of trials and tribulations. In these times of trial today, we can rejoice despite suffering when we set our affections on things above. God will change our mind and our mindset, when we focus on Him and not on ourselves. For tribulation works patience, and patience experience, and experience hope, and hope makes not ashamed because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit which is given to us - Romans 5:3.
According to 1 Corinthians 6:19, “Know ye not that your bodies are the temples of the Holy Spirit?” American Christians are afraid that they will lose their "dignity." However, sometimes God calls us to dance unashamedly and unabashedly. Our heart will be set free when our shame is undone. “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of the cross of Christ. For it is unto those who are saved the sweet smelling fragrance of life unto life” - 2 Corinthians 2:15.
What is the heart of the matter? The first and great commandment is to Love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, soul, mind and strength – Matthew 22:37. It's not about behavior modification. It's about heart modification. As David said, “Create within me a new heart O Lord” – Psalm 51:10. “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting” – Psalm 139:23.
May God richly bless you!
Your brother in Christ, Michael
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