SUBJECT - NO VISION, NO FUTURE!!! [PT. 12]
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In this final installment of our message, I will finish what I had touched on at the end of last month's message. Then I will try to revue what was revealed over these past 12 months.
I left off
last month, talking about how a person could be converted from a position of being a staunch believer in Islam, or any other religion, without being made to feel like their religion/philosophy/belief system was being denigrated, or put down.
I have heard well meaning Christians refer to other religious beliefs, in terms that would cause a person of that religion, pain, frustration or outright anger.
The reason for that is a normal reaction because, that is just the way we are wired. It is called, pride. When you spend your whole life pursuing a philosophy that you feel is what your life is about, then have someone stand up and make fun of, or make you feel like a fool, the response that might come from you, would more than likely be something that would not be conducive to keeping the peace.
In situations like this, only God, can change the mind and heart of an individual, to the point that the person, would seek Him, rather than you or I trying to force God/Christ down their throat.
If we look at why so many people from so many countries seek to come to this nation, we would find the overwhelming reason that they left their homeland is they are seeking a better life.
Depending on where they are coming from, it could be because of war, poverty, famine or just plain hopelessness. Either way, they are seeking something better.
And why would they seek coming here?? Because they have seen, or heard something that made them want to take the risk, which, in some cases, that is exactly what it would be.
The lengths they would go through, spending their very last dollar, sometimes with unscrupulous people promising them a means to get here, only to wind up abandoned, injured or killed by them, is enough to make a person just give up. Yet, they do it.
Why?? Because the overwhelming evidence of proof that America is a place where all things are possible.
How many times have you and I, seen a person from another country, give testimony as to how they came here with literally nothing in their pockets, and within a few years, they have become wealthy, and are sending money home to relatives, and making a way for them to come here??
That is what makes others want to come here.
By the same token, if the Church, were doing the job, the way Christ said it should be done, then, Christians would not have to be trying to belittle someone's faith in another religion, but rather, demonstrate the benefits of coming to Christ, by word, and action [the supernatural kind].
The bible says, in a little talked about verse, that, after Jesus ascended in to Heaven,
Mark 16:20 And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.
You see, if we only showed the love of God, by going out and feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, sheltering the homeless, comforting those that are mourning, or some other things like that, all of which is what we are supposed to do, that is something that those of other faiths can readily do, and therefore is no greater influence to get one to come to Christ, or any other faith, because it is all connected to the flesh.
But, when the power of God, is demonstrated in the lives of the believer, through the laying on of hands, by way of the anointing, then that puts a whole new element in the mix. One that no other faith can match.
In this instance, God/Christ, is the One that will draw people to Him.
John 12:32 And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.
But, the enemy says, 'you are being divisive, and putting others down, if you are constantly proclaiming your faith in front of others.' In other words, keep it to yourself.
And what does the Church do??? They keep it within the 4 walls of their buildings.
Why?? Because the pastors of these churches, have submitted themselves to the dictates of man, rather than those of Christ. And, as a result, they, the church becomes nothing more than a glorified social meeting place.
Essentially, every thing that is wrong in the lives of the people in this nation, and the world as a whole, rests solely at the feet of those that are in the position of pastor, that are there, not by the anointing of God, but by the anointing of some man or group.
The bible tells us,
Rom 10:14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? Rom 10:15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
We see here that the only way people will learn about Christ, and what He has to offer, is if someone tells them about Him. But, that is not enough, because someone else can come along and say that their god is just as good, if not better than Christ, and that there aren't as many rules that you have to live by.
So, what is a person to do???
Without something that can seen, or experienced, to prove that Christ is the answer, and the Only Way to go, then the people will continue to wander aimlessly from one religion/philosophy/or belief system, to another, without really committing themselves to anything with purpose.
Of course, there are those that through fear and intimidation, will commit themselves to a lifestyle of self destruction. Most of the time, they do this because they believe it is what God wants them to do in order to obtain good things.
Quite simply put, the desire of every single human being, past, present, and future, is to have a life of peace and happiness. Every thing they do, is designed to get them to that point. The thing is, only God, through Jesus Christ, can get you there.
Do you think the blind man, who earlier, went in to the churches for food and other necessities to survive, was happy with his condition, of being blind??
Of course not. But, he had
settled for the reality of his situation, to the point he never even thought it was possible for him to see. Of course, if there were some type of medical procedure, that were available, and he had insurance coverage, or the money to get it done, then perhaps he would get it done.
If he didn't have the means to get it done then, oh well!!!
Remember the lame man who, when he saw Peter, John, and some other disciples coming towards him, asked for some spare change that they might be willing to part with???
[Acts 3:1-11]
The man, only had a hope for some change, but, Peter, being anointed, and led by the Holy Spirit, gave him what he really needed, the ability to walk.
Today, the vast majority of Christians, are just like the blind and lame men. They have no vision of what God really has for them, and as a result, they relegate themselves to accepting, and
settling for far less than what is available to them.
The bible, in
[Deuteronomy 28:1-14],
tells us that, we saints, are to be the head, and not the tail. But, we are SETTLING to be the tail.
It says we are to be above, and not beneath. But, we SETTLE to be beneath.
It says we will be able to lend, and not borrow. We SETTLE for borrowing.
It says we are to be victorious, whenever the enemy comes against us. We SETTLE for defeat, or compromise.
Time and again, we see, in this, and other passages of scripture, what God has in store for us, which is the vision He wants us to grab hold of, but, we
settle for less.
And why do we do this???
Mostly because of the ignorance of those that are charged in delivering that vision to us, namely preachers.
As I mentioned in the scripture above
[Rom. 10], it takes a man of God, that is anointed/sent by Him, to see the vision, deliver, and demonstrate it, when necessary, so that the people can be encouraged to keep on the path of righteousness.
The enemy, doesn't want us to know just what it is we are missing out on, so, he has his own ministers out among us posing as anointed men and women of God, to tell us things like, He, God, doesn't do those types of things anymore. That was for a different dispensation. Or that being a wealthy Christian, is somehow bad.
[2Cor 11:13-15]
These, and other things are designed to keep Christians and the Church, from reaching its full potential. Getting us to
settle for less than the best.
Ever hear someone, say that attempting to live according to what Christ dictates, is an exercise in futility, because no one is perfect???
That is an attempt to get you to
settle to living in, and accepting sin, without repenting, because it won't do you any good to repent, because you will go out and do it again, because no one is perfect.
And, when you
settle for this line of reasoning, which permeates most Christian;s way of thinking, then, by default, you are
settling for less than God's best.
If you look at verse 1 of Deuteronomy 28, there is a stipulation that must be met, in order to achieve the blessings and position God has for us.
It is something that you have to continually work on, and that is something the enemy doesn't want us to do. So he keeps on throwing roadblocks, and the like in our path, to wear us down.
That is when we just
settle for the status quo. All we want is peace, and tranquility.
When we do that, we enter in to being defeated, and the vision dies.
Jesus says,
Mat 5:48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. God says, Lev 11:45 For I am the LORD that bringeth you up out of the land of Egypt, to be your God: ye shall therefore be holy, for I am holy.
This is the key, to this entire group of messages, going back to January.
God is calling on all of us to be holy, perfect, and righteous. Now, while none of us is perfect, according to man's way of thinking, God uses a different way of thinking.
Isa 55:8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.
As long as you are striving to live according to His directions, you are considered by Him to be perfect/holy/righteous.
By striving, I mean you are working on getting better, or closer to Him, every day. If you fall/sin, you repent, and set about turning your back on whatever that particular sin is/was, and keep going.
What does God have to say about what you did???
1Jn 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
If you have been cleansed from all unrighteousness, then, guess what?? At that very moment, God considers you perfect, holy, righteous.
A lot of saints today, are living below their potential because of unrepentant sin, which among other things, keeps you from receiving God's best. Unrepentant sin, short circuits your connection to God, and as a result, closes the door to your blessings.
That is why this nation, especially, is going through all of the mess that it is. We have begun to legalize sin. Especially if it is something we get pleasure from.
And as I said, it all falls on preachers, who are out for their own benefit, and will say and do anything just to get money and prestige, no matter what it costs us.