Do We Really Know Him?

Dearest Saints, Unlike the world, their thoughts of having the most successful life is gathering the most "toys" and running up the corporate ladder or any worldly acclamation that would bring fortune. As we know, this kind of ambition only comes to a hopeless end when we begin to step out into that eternal realm. This even includes many Christians who think they are doing the will of God, but strive to have a bigger ministry than others or being competitive by putting other ministries and other ministers down to make ones self look better. Many times, I have heard all too often that those who want to become Senior Pastors or take the place behind a pulpit, they do the unthinkable and try to overthrow the One who stands behind the pulpit who often gives the message and feeds the Church each week. Where is the reverential Fear of God Christians are supposed to have? Do His people not realize God knows not only what we do but He knows our inmost thoughts and motives that are often hidden from people, but they are not hidden from God (Ps 69:5; Isa 59:2)! It's very sad and unfortunate that all because one minister preaches a certain doctrine (that is Biblical), the other ministers may put them down all because they don't preach the same type of message that they preach. One minister may be lead to preach about "End Times" while one may preach "encouragement" while another may preach on growing up in the Lord and becoming more empowered. If all preaching was only talking on "End Times" or a historical value of a certain doctrine, people wouldn't know about growing up in Character or maybe knowing how to let go of the past as God instructs. The example God would have is that although each one has a different ministry, we are to compliment one another which means we ARE NOT to see ourselves has having a better ministry or think we are in a "better denomination" or be in any form of competition with one another. After-all, preaching all about Christ should empower us to love Him as we should, to love one another as we love ourselves and unite together to lift up Christ, to fight FOR one another and only fight AGAINST every evil that opposes the perfect will of God. We need to fight to maintain the unity of the Body and not cause or allow factions that only separate ourselves which is what the enemy wants to do to the Churches. If we have any reverential fear of God, we would love what He loves and hate every form of evil (and not just be tolerant of it). When John was baptizing, he didn't frown because more people were being drawn to Christ, all because he knew his job was to direct the hearts of people towards Christ in the first place (Luke 3:16; John 4:1). We need to direct people to Christ and help Disciple Believers to continue to grow in the Lord. If we are not attracting others who are within or those who are outside the faith to the Lord, we are working against God Himself who loves like no other. He tells us that who ever is not FOR ME is AGAINST ME (Luke 11:23). He rebuked the Disciples by telling them not to forbid the Children to come to Him (Matt 19:14). We can't expect to promote God and Him to manifest His will when we don't do His will. We don't draw people to Christ when we fight, harbor bitterness with one another or compete with one another. We don't attract others to Christ when we fail to do what God tells us to do and reach out with compassion. We attract people to Christ when we lift Him up and exalt His Word by living it (by constantly asking the help of His Spirit). We often know the Word intellectually (ie: about forgiving others), but often-times, we fail to do this. We are often not obedient to what we do know. I like what someone has once said, that we are far more educated than we are obedient to Him. Maybe we need to ask Him to help us be more obedient to do what we know about His Will. God reminds us that how can we expect to Love the Lord whom we cannot see when we don't love one another whom we can see (1 John 4:20)? God calls these people a liar and He has prepared a place in that horrible eternal realm as mentioned with other forms of ungodiness (Rev 21:8). If we are not in agreement with one another within the body, we NEED to LOVE our Brother and Sisters regardless. We don't know the Lord when we don't reverently Fear Him by honoring His Word above our own thinking, opinions or reasoning like we should. When we don't understand His Word or His will, maybe we need to allow Him to check and examine our heart towards Him. He questions His Disciples how can you say you love Me (Jesus) when you don't do the things I command you to do (John 14:15,21; John 15:10)? It is by obeying Him that we prove our love for Him. If we allow any form of pride that doesn't seek the interest of others before ourselves, we don't know His heart because this opposes His Word (Phil 2:4; 1 Cor 12:25). We are in opposition to His will. When we want to Praise Him for His constant Goodness, love to worship Him for who He truly is, loving and honoring His Word (His Will) above everything else, hating every evil that opposes Him/His Will, loving others by seeking and believing the best for others, we can truly say "We Know Him" because we truly desire to please Him. The question we each need to ask is: Do we honestly know Him like we should? He will help us in every area of our lives if we will first Humble ourselves and allow Him to do that work within us. He gives His Grace to the Humble, but the proud, He opposes (1 Pet 5:5). I don't know about you, but I don't ever want to oppose Him or not ever see the need to His abundant Grace and Mercy that I am always in desperate need for. If we are truthful and honest, we can all say and believe that for ourselves. Please email to the undersigned should you wish to unsubscribe from receiving my Blogs. In the Matchless Name of Jesus Richard Ministry Encourager Answers2Prayer http://sites.google.com/site/greatestbuilderforourlife http://www.answers2prayer.org/