Certainly there are many ups and downs in our Christian walk. Sometimes we don't even know where we stand. Some are honest and admit to it, and others prefer to continue the facade and the lies, even though they have nothing inside. What are we afraid of? Or...Who are we afraid of? Isn't this about being in peace with God? What does it matter if we lose our reputation of strength and faith? But it matters, doesn't it? It is important to keep the "image" of super christians or we are literally done. People will look at us and say, "poor thing, he/she lost it". In the meantime, we are dying inside, not being able to confide in others, because we don't want to create doubt in anybody; because the truth is, we DO make sense in the midst of the struggle. Boy, do we get tired of those that look down on us when we are at our weakest. That is why we continue to press on, perpetuating a image of strength that has been long gone, just to help others out of their own desperation pit. Let's face it, we can't do that if they don't trust us. Christians rather be prayed by those who give the impression of being strong and "spiritual" than go to their everyday christian man or woman that has used every bit of strength to keep believing regardless of their weaknesses.
Men following men. It happened in Jesus' time and continues today. Men giving glory to each other; again then and certainly now; ministers walking around in their expensive suits thinking they are all that, with their own little cliques. But isn't that the ways of the world? In John 5:41, 42, 44, Jesus said "I do not accept praise from men, but I know you....How can you believe if you accept praise from one another, yet make no effort to obtain the praise that comes from the only God? When someone truly believes in God, the first and foremost desire is to please God. It doesn't matter what type of service you are providing, it is important that we keep our place.
TODAY....there are MANY churches and christians that have yet to understand that the glory belongs to God. As soon as they think someone has been blessed through them, they think they are important, and their attitude changes. Galatians 6:3 says: "If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself". We are truly nothing when it comes to doing, because the desire and the power to do things come from God. That is why God said in Revelation 3:17 to those that think are something:"...But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked". There are many out there blinded, looking to be approved by men.
Now, most ministers will deny this, they will be offended by this, because they can certainly talk the talk...but their walk says something very different. As the saying goes...actions speak louder than words. The problem is that most need the support of a big ministry so doors would open for them. Funny...I thought God was the one to open and close doors. But then again, there is no discernment among the people of God, so they have to trust men. Heaven help us!
Then we have those that recommend themselves...2 Corinthians 10:18 "For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends". If you are a true son or daughter of God, you don't need recommendations from men...God will back you up where ever you go. Measuring ourselves up against other men...what a joke! Our measure is Jesus. The Apostle Paul said in Galatians 1:10 "Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ". If you are still trying to please men or like Paul said in 1 Tesalonians 2:5 "...used flattery, [or] put on a mask to cover up greed [sin]", YOU are not a servant of God. This is how the whole passage goes: "We speak as men approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please men but God, who tests our hearts. 5You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed—God is our witness. 6We were not looking for praise from men, not from you or anyone else".
Acts 4:19-20 says: "Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God's sight to obey you rather than God. For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard." It is IMPORTANT, a NEED, a REQUIREMENT...heck..IT IS MANDATORY to OBEY God rather than men. If we want God to entrust us with His work, we CANNOT disappoint or defraud. If we want to prepare God's people for service, "so that the body of Christ may be built up until [they]...become mature, [we have to attain the] whole measure of the fullness of Christ"; the same Christ that said "I DO NOT RECEIVE GLORY FROM MEN".
"Therefore, as it is written: 'Let him who boasts[,] boast in the Lord'." 1 Corinthians 1:31. God does not share His glory with no one. Then we wonder why God does not perform more miracles, raise the dead, heal the sick...what for? So that YOU take His Glory? I don't think so. I can still see in my head ministers, evangelists, and pastors posing in photographs with the people that GOD performed a miracle to, like if they had anything to do with it. Totally opposite to that, Jesus would tell people to glorify God and NOT say anything. Today, they make it very public that they were the ones that prayed or encourage them to "testify" to indirectly receive glory. (There are some exceptions).
You want your soul to prosper...Fear God and give Him the Glory.
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