Anyone who wishes to give the meaning of the scripture without taking it from scripture is against the scripture - St. Augustine. Caution to the reader! If you love your pastor, priest, apostle, prophet etc. dearly and get offended if anyone says anything in opposition to him or her. Do not proceed. By no means is this meant to be malicious or adversarial. If you have read any blog of mine be assured this one will be scripture laden. Foremost, God's blessings and love to you. Now, there are some awesome pastors, priests, apostles or disciples who preach the gospel; Christ and Christ crucified 1 Corinthians 2:1-2. Sitting here I think my chief concern is that ministers of the word have gotten away from the saving souls. Which is the most important job anyone can have on this earth. So I'm going to speak specifically to this. The crucifixion of Jesus was your provision to have a relationship with God John 17:1-3 not the source of your bank account and desires. Oh how wrong we have it. Seek first the Kingdom. Be cognizant of the motive in your heart.
If you haven't noticed there are churches in abundance throughout America, but our nation is increasingly wicked, lovers of money and self, and full of pride. It was pride that turned angels into devils; it is humility that makes men as angels. - St. Augustine. I had someone tell me that God had yet to save them from pride. I was just as baffled as you are. One would think that with so many churches professing to have the Holy Spirit in every service we would have change in the congregation and communities. I can tell you the Holy Spirit is not a flash in the pan. Frankly speaking, what happens in our lives and this nation relies on God's House not the White House. When Jesus wept over Jerusalem his heart was broken for his people who were lost spiritually. When was the last time your pastor, priest, apostle or disciple wept over his congregation?
I tend to visit Barnes and Nobles about twice a week. As I walked through on my last visit I noticed something that left me with disturbed.. To my amazement there were more self-help books written by popular pastors, priests apostles and disciples than there were Bibles, philosophy and books containing african american content. You may say it's harmless but please be objective, please. A man or woman who wears the title of God, which implies that they have received the anointing of the Holy Spirit and their life and words they speak are guided by God. So how can their image be posted on the cover of these books. My understanding tells me that they know their image will sell the book. By the way if you have read one, you have read them all. Their main source is the bible which you have yourself. Read it and live it! What happened to the power of God? 1 Timohy 6:5 Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.
The Word of God and faith, read Hebrews 11, has been directing and lives prior to this wave of self-help books. If these books are of such importance and add value to one's life why not give them away. Between tithes and offerings, benevolence offerings tax exemptions and pastor appreciation day, personally I think it is ridiculous, and all the the other organizations that bring in money those books can be donations. But due to church tax exemptions they can't be writing off. Preaching is a passion and not a profession - Leonard Ravenhill. In Acts 6:3-4 the twelve called all the disciples together to discuss the ministry and serving tables. Seven men were chosen to handle the business so that they could give themselves continually praying and ministering of the Word. That was the only job that they partook in. Do you honestly think they thought about writing another book beside the Bible to supplement what they preached? Notice how wicked our nature is. When someone tells you they have been blessed by God we first think some job or material possession. But if God took all of their "blessings" would you still consider that person blessed? Matthew 19:24 And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
Maybe what they are trying to help you attain, be it self preservation, which Christians should posses none of, remember "deny yourself" Luke 9:23-24. When was the last time you heard a sermon on denying yourself? Or is it success, health, or whatever your heart desires please refer to 1 John 2:16. Jesus had nowhere to lay his head but the foxes had a den. We have it all wrong in America. God owes you nothing and we owe him everything. Do you know in Deuteronomy 3:26 God told Moses "Do not speak to me no more on this matter" in v. 25 Moses was praying to God. Anyone can accept when God says "yes." When we have learned to be submissive to God, you can accept when he says "no." Pastors, priests apostles or disciples tell the congregation that God's delay is not denial but it may very well be. How many of you have prayed for God to send you someone "special" you saw endlessly, received, than it wasn't what you expected and prayed for them to go away.
Jesus appointed the twelve apostles and made Paul a minister and witness. Jesus said in Acts 26:18 open their eyes, turn them from darkness to light, from the power Satan to God so they may receive forgiveness of sins. Take a few mins if you have been in your church for some time now and think about those who attend every week including bible study but still live the same wretched life. The pastor says this person is saved. Please don't make a mockery of the Godhead. Many sit through church hear the Word of God then when church has concluded they are gossiping and carrying on. If God struck gossipers with leprosy as he did the sister of Moses for talking about his wife, churches would be healing meetings. Pastors, priests apostles or disciples should see to it that there is church discipline and not be absent to avoid hurting feelings. This one reason is why God and the Christian church is mocked. Malachi 2:17 when we say those who are evil are good in the eyes of God. Matthew 18 talks on church conflict and discipline, where has it been?
1 Peter 4:18 tells that the righteous are scarcely saved. Matthew 7 Jesus tells that those who profess Lord, Lord won't enter into the Kingdom. We are children of God but His Kingdom and riches aren't of this world which is wicked 1 John 5:19. If your pastor doesn't preach repentance and doesn't tell you that your sin puts you at enmity/ hostility with God shame on him. If your pastors continually tells you of the Love of the Lamb but he doesn't describe the Wrath of the Lamb Revelation 6:16. Be a Berean and get in your Bible. God is angry with the wicked every day Psalms 7:10-12. Jesus spoke more about hell than Heaven and false teachings for a reason. Jesus gave all and the same is expected of us as Christians and His gospel should be preached as instructed. Micah 6:18-19…. God is holy, loving, compassionate, and merciful!
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