Miracles and blessings are not all about you. The Lord knows His Children have needs, He is not blind to it. Yet He tells us not to worry about the needs we have and seek Him. We can become s transfixed on ourselves that we use prayer and scripture only to satisfy our physical needs and desires and neglect to pray for the spiritual needs. Lest we forget the Great Commission is about expanding God's Kingdom not our wallet, business, agenda, etc. It is a call to do His Will on Earth as He has decreed in Heaven. This does not mean we should not bring our needs before the Father. But it does mean that the Great Commission is not about the "big payout" we should expect from God just because we are a Christian. Our "best day yet" is when we live with Christ in Heaven not when we get our financial break through, our health improves, or we get promoted at work. We make more money in a year then Jesus did in His Lifetime on Earth but we find ourselves easily complaining about momentary discomfort. How much stuff do we really need? Jesus' baby crib was an animal trough while ours was top of the line Babies R' Us model. He was not rolling on 24's, He rolling on donkey hooves. Yet He did not let His poverty or lack of resources stop Him from proclaiming God's Word. He did not preach about cashing in on God and living comfortable. He was more concerned with the end of man (eternity) as opposed the mist of air we call life (temporary). When we become focused on serving Jesus we will not use prayer or the scriptures as a means of being served by Him. No servant is served by the King. He is not a genie who grants temporary wishes. Nor does He find pleasure when we use the scriptures like they are lotto numbers that helps us hit the prosperity jackpot. He is God and desires to save all mankind. Let's be about the Father's Business and not our own agenda and help others know the Hope of Glory, Jesus Christ.
Matthew 6:7-11,19-34, 28:18-20, 2 Peter 3:9, 1 Corinthians 1:22-23
"In His JOY!"
Read the Word, Share the Gospel, Be Accountable
consumedbyjoy.blogspot.com
Showing posts with label Preachers of L.A.. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Preachers of L.A.. Show all posts
Sunday, February 22, 2015
Sunday, February 2, 2014
"Preachers of L.A."
This is not a critique of faith but a simple observation. I see shows like The Preachers of L.A. and hear preachers on the television proclaiming the Prosperity Gospel all the time. True, the fame of the Prosperity Gospel has lost it's luster in years past and is not as popular as it was years ago (probably due to the troubles in our economy) but it still being preached and taught today. The idea that God wants me to get wealth by claiming it or to name the things I want and seal the deal in Jesus name, just does not seem biblical to me.
For instance people have made millions off the letters written by the Apostle Paul. Excerpts from his letters is found on clothing, tattooed on our bodies, tweeted, made into inspirational cards, made into songs, etc. Because of the letters Paul wrote some have been able to buy mansions, nice clothes, cars, and sell books. But the irony to all of this is we have profited of the writings of a man who died with no real monetary wealth. We profit off a man who would not accept payment for teaching God's Word because He did not want to hinder the message of Christ (1 Corinthians 9:9-12).
I just find it funny that the message of Prosperity seems to overtake the purpose of the Gospel. Christians not here to get great wealth but reconcile people to Christ (2 Corinthians 5:19-20). When we focus on our personal prosperity we truly being "the spoiled brat" who is selfish as opposed to being "the grateful child" who is thankful.
The Prosperity Gospel distorts our view of giving. Giving is an act of obedience that we should do with a cheerful heart (2 Corinthians 9:7). But the Prosperity Gospel has taught us to give like greedy investors expecting 60 or 100 fold return. Honestly if you are giving to God just get back a sizable amount do you truly expect Him to bless a heart like this? Because you are giving with a greedy heart not a cheerful one. Greedy givers are no better than the wealthy man who gave out of his wealth as opposed to the widow who gave out of obedience (Luke 21:1-4). If God rejected the wealthy man's offering what do you think he will do with our greedy offering. Those who give out of obedience and love for the Lord want to give more so God will receive glory (2 Corinthians 9:11-13), those who give out of greed will reap the greedy man's reward (2 Corinthians 9:6).
Though I caution us all not to demonize The Preachers of L.A.. I say this because I rejoice that people are receiving Jesus (Philippians 1:18) but I detest that the method of disciplining believers. Disciplining others through prosperity does not teach others how to serve the Lord, it teaches them how to manipulate scriptures and creates investors not disciples. But disciple believers by correctly teaching God's Word multiplies disciples.
So my prayer is that The Preachers of L.A. will reëxamine the scriptures for truth and not search them for personal gain. Stay focused, you can do this.
"In His JOY!"
Read the Word, Share the Gospel, Be accountable.
http://consumedbyjoy.blogspot.com/
For instance people have made millions off the letters written by the Apostle Paul. Excerpts from his letters is found on clothing, tattooed on our bodies, tweeted, made into inspirational cards, made into songs, etc. Because of the letters Paul wrote some have been able to buy mansions, nice clothes, cars, and sell books. But the irony to all of this is we have profited of the writings of a man who died with no real monetary wealth. We profit off a man who would not accept payment for teaching God's Word because He did not want to hinder the message of Christ (1 Corinthians 9:9-12).
I just find it funny that the message of Prosperity seems to overtake the purpose of the Gospel. Christians not here to get great wealth but reconcile people to Christ (2 Corinthians 5:19-20). When we focus on our personal prosperity we truly being "the spoiled brat" who is selfish as opposed to being "the grateful child" who is thankful.
The Prosperity Gospel distorts our view of giving. Giving is an act of obedience that we should do with a cheerful heart (2 Corinthians 9:7). But the Prosperity Gospel has taught us to give like greedy investors expecting 60 or 100 fold return. Honestly if you are giving to God just get back a sizable amount do you truly expect Him to bless a heart like this? Because you are giving with a greedy heart not a cheerful one. Greedy givers are no better than the wealthy man who gave out of his wealth as opposed to the widow who gave out of obedience (Luke 21:1-4). If God rejected the wealthy man's offering what do you think he will do with our greedy offering. Those who give out of obedience and love for the Lord want to give more so God will receive glory (2 Corinthians 9:11-13), those who give out of greed will reap the greedy man's reward (2 Corinthians 9:6).
Though I caution us all not to demonize The Preachers of L.A.. I say this because I rejoice that people are receiving Jesus (Philippians 1:18) but I detest that the method of disciplining believers. Disciplining others through prosperity does not teach others how to serve the Lord, it teaches them how to manipulate scriptures and creates investors not disciples. But disciple believers by correctly teaching God's Word multiplies disciples.
So my prayer is that The Preachers of L.A. will reëxamine the scriptures for truth and not search them for personal gain. Stay focused, you can do this.
"In His JOY!"
Read the Word, Share the Gospel, Be accountable.
http://consumedbyjoy.blogspot.com/
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