Compromise

Folks today are so quick to compromise. We practice compromise daily on little things, and get far too comfortable just going along with the crowd. Is it really difficult to imagine that many who consider themselves christian will give little thought to compromising even in the last days even when the warning is clear and the
ramifications undeniable?

Rev 13:16-18
And he [the beast] causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.

How will we provide for our families if we can’t buy or sell? If we do not believe that God is our source and provider now, then how will we believe that God will provide for us if we choose not to take the mark?

Rev 13:9-11
And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, the same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: and the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.

Rev 16:1-2
And I heard a great voice out of the temple saying to the seven angels, Go your ways, and pour out the vials of the wrath of God upon the earth. And the first went, and poured out his vial upon the earth; and there fell a noisome and grievous sore upon the men which had the mark of the beast, and upon them which worshipped his image.

Rev 19:20
And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone. And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh.

Foolish Comparisons

Probably the most damaging, stress and contention causing behavior we can engage in is comparing ourselves to other people…

2 Corinthians 10:12 (KJV)

For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.

2 Corinthians 10:12 (AMP)
Not that we [have the audacity to] venture to class or [even to] compare ourselves with some who exalt and furnish testimonials for themselves! However, when they measure themselves with themselves and compare themselves with one another, they are without understanding and behave unwisely.

Instead we need to examine ourselves and the only comparison we should make is ourselves to Jesus…

2 Corinthians 13:5 (AMP)
Examine and test and evaluate your own selves to see whether you are holding to your faith and showing the proper fruits of it. Test and prove yourselves. Do you not yourselves realize and know [thoroughly by an ever-increasing experience] that Jesus Christ is in you–unless you are [counterfeits] disapproved on trial and rejected?

Treasure

Matthew 6:21, Luke 12:34
For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

Luke 6:45 (Whole Chapter)
A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil; for of the abundance of his heart his mouth speaketh.

Matthew 12:35
A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things; and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.

What you dwell on and focus on becomes your treasure.

Romans 12:2
And be not conformed to this world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

Inoculation

I heard Billy Graham talking about how he would have to get cholera shots before going to some foreign countries. He described how the shot would give him just enough cholera to keep him from getting the “real thing”.

He went on to say that many folks who call themselves Christians are like that. They get just enough religion in them to keep them from getting the Real Thing.

Renewing Your Mind

Most folks think that they spend time on what they desire.

The reality of the situation is, you build a desire for what you spend time on.

Whatever you give attention to, that is what you are going to desire.

Attend to the Word. Seek the Kingdom of God.

Spend your time and attention on the Word and renew your mind, renew your desires.

Change what you give attention to and your desires, appetites, personality, and entire world view will change.

No Worries

God is not the author of confusion. We are not given a spirit of fear.

If you are confused then you are trying to figure something out yourself and have crossed the line from attentive concern into “worry”. If you are in fear, then you aren’t trusting God.

When you realize you are confused and in worry, you should stop yourself and cast your cares on Him.

How do you cast your cares on Him?

Casting your cares on Him is not the same as “blowing it off”. Casting your cares on the Lord is taking action in Faith and Trust that God will be there to help you through it. More often than not, a solution will present itself or come into your mind that you would never have considered by yourself.

1. refocus your mind on God, He will keep you in perfect peace
2. pray, ask God for His wisdom in dealing with the situation. He gives wisdom liberally to all who ask
3. praise God, worship God
4. thank God that He is there for you to help you
5. get the focus off of yourself, refocus on loving others
6. seek God and His kingdom first, and everything else will be added to you
7. encourage yourself in the Lord
8. when you know not how you ought to pray, pray in the spirit

1Pe 5:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

1Co 14:33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.

Mat 6:33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you.

1Jo 4:18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

Rom 8:15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

2Ti 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

Isa 26:3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.

Judges 20:22 – And the people the men of Israel encouraged themselves, and set their battle again in array in the place where they put themselves in array the first day.

1 Samuel 30:6 – And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God.

Jude 1:20 – But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost

Romans 8:26 – Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

Philippians 4:6 – Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

Who’s Your Daddy?

There is a choice of either life or death.

You are either of the Father which art in heaven, or a child of the father of lies, satan.

There is no in between. You can either submit yourself to God, and let God reveal to you who He created you to be, or you are wandering around letting the world tell you what you want and who you are.

We only operate at optimum efficiency if we function in the way we were created to function. We can only find satisfaction and peace if we are functioning the way we were designed to function.

Character of Love

Love suffers long
Love is kind
Love does not envy
Love does not promote self
Love is not puffed up
Love does not behave unseemly
Love seeks not its own
Love is not easily provoked
Love thinks no evil
Love does not rejoice in iniquity
Love rejoices in the truth
Love bears all things
Love believes all things
Love hopes all things
Love endures all things
Love never fails

Abide in Faith, Hope, and Love; and most of all, in Love

1Cor 13:4-8,13