Lazarus had nothing but difficulty and poverty in his life but at the end of it he had great wealth and joy when he passed to his real life in eternity. The rich man had everything in this life but less than nothing in his eternity and yet he knew that Lazarus was experiencing his blessing while the rich man lived in torment. It really brings home the idea that this life is a puff of smoke and means nothing except when we have trusted Christ. The rich man never learned anything of value in his lifetime. Lazarus learned a great deal and had much hope even through all the difficulties. It is interesting that sometimes the world sees that we have an "in" with God that they don't have. During their hardship they will rush to the believer that they spurned all their life.
Bottom Line: They do know on some level what they should do and they make a choice.
Denise Fetter said:
"The brethren die today with little fanfare but they have eternity!! The rich and famous die with great fanfare and are lost for eternity!! We rejoice for our eternal family, our forever family!! Maranatha!!"
Sunday, December 2, 2018
The Greatest Blessing!
We cannot win disciples that is God's job. We are called to preach no matter what the response and God brings the increase.
1 Corinthians 3:6-8 "…6 I planted the seed and Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. 7 So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. 8 He who plants and he who waters are one in purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor.…"
There are many people these days judging someone's delivery or the work God gave them to do based on the results. This is incorrect thinking. We are merely to obey, the results belong to God.
I only say these things because believers are being judged for a wrong delivery because of the hostile responses. The responses are often not justified, they come from stubborn hearts.
Psychology has taught that if someone gets angry someone else must have made them angry. This is wrong, everyone has a choice to choose anger or a calm spirit. The one who is angry has chosen that anger as a means to control others. They intimidate rather than discuss.
In the world of psychology based on evolution we are nothing more than animals who respond to stimuli. Since we are animals that respond to stimuli, if an animal is angry he is fearful or responding to abuse.
This is not true with humans, we are not animals. People can be very mean for no reason at all or simply because they didn't like the truth we told.
Just take a look at the response to Christ when He came to save the world from their sins. He extended the hand of help, He healed the sick, gave hope to the poor and offered heaven to all who simply believe.
The response to Christ's offer of forgiveness and blessing on every level was rejected by most, so much so that they murdered Him for His love. Yes, they murdered Him because of the love He displayed. The people loved their sin and hated anyone who wanted to deliver them from it. Yes, it's irrational and yet common.
The people killed the apostles when the apostles offered them hope. All but one apostle was martyred for offering hope and deliverance. What did they do that was wrong, what did they do to make the people that angry? Nothing, they simply told the truth, offered hope through repentance and it cost them their lives.
John the Baptist was hated for telling Herod and Herodius they were in an unlawful marriage, they chopped off his head and presented it on platter.
The fact remains that anger at truth demonstrates a stubborn heart that refuses to hear it. This mentality is all around us now. It does not matter how friendly the delivery is, if someone doesn't like what is being said they will assign evil to the one saying it.
Don't be discouraged when you correct someone to help them and they respond in anger. That anger is on them not you. The devil wants us to shrink in fear from telling truth, it serves him well in silencing those who are intimidated by rage.
Proverbs 29:8-9 "…8 Mockers inflame a city, but the wise turn away anger. 9 If a wise man goes to court with a fool, there will be raving and laughing with no resolution. 10 Men of bloodshed hate a blameless man, but the upright care for his life."
Proverbs 29:11-12 "11 A fool vents all his anger, but a wise man holds it back. 12 If a ruler listens to lies, all his officials will be wicked.…"
Notice in these verses that when a fool is in a position of power he will influence those around him to act wickedly. This is true in every situation of life, in families, school systems and even churches. Those who are foolish are evil and will seek to ruin anyone who brings truth that undermines their wicked plans.
Do not be afraid of these people no matter what happens. Do not be intimidated by loss of friends and family. Just do what the Holy Spirit leads you to do and be blessed that you know truth. The greatest blessing of all is to know truth and to walk in it, to know Christ and to walk with Him.
1 Corinthians 3:6-8 "…6 I planted the seed and Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. 7 So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. 8 He who plants and he who waters are one in purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor.…"
There are many people these days judging someone's delivery or the work God gave them to do based on the results. This is incorrect thinking. We are merely to obey, the results belong to God.
I only say these things because believers are being judged for a wrong delivery because of the hostile responses. The responses are often not justified, they come from stubborn hearts.
Psychology has taught that if someone gets angry someone else must have made them angry. This is wrong, everyone has a choice to choose anger or a calm spirit. The one who is angry has chosen that anger as a means to control others. They intimidate rather than discuss.
In the world of psychology based on evolution we are nothing more than animals who respond to stimuli. Since we are animals that respond to stimuli, if an animal is angry he is fearful or responding to abuse.
This is not true with humans, we are not animals. People can be very mean for no reason at all or simply because they didn't like the truth we told.
Just take a look at the response to Christ when He came to save the world from their sins. He extended the hand of help, He healed the sick, gave hope to the poor and offered heaven to all who simply believe.
The response to Christ's offer of forgiveness and blessing on every level was rejected by most, so much so that they murdered Him for His love. Yes, they murdered Him because of the love He displayed. The people loved their sin and hated anyone who wanted to deliver them from it. Yes, it's irrational and yet common.
The people killed the apostles when the apostles offered them hope. All but one apostle was martyred for offering hope and deliverance. What did they do that was wrong, what did they do to make the people that angry? Nothing, they simply told the truth, offered hope through repentance and it cost them their lives.
John the Baptist was hated for telling Herod and Herodius they were in an unlawful marriage, they chopped off his head and presented it on platter.
The fact remains that anger at truth demonstrates a stubborn heart that refuses to hear it. This mentality is all around us now. It does not matter how friendly the delivery is, if someone doesn't like what is being said they will assign evil to the one saying it.
Don't be discouraged when you correct someone to help them and they respond in anger. That anger is on them not you. The devil wants us to shrink in fear from telling truth, it serves him well in silencing those who are intimidated by rage.
Proverbs 29:8-9 "…8 Mockers inflame a city, but the wise turn away anger. 9 If a wise man goes to court with a fool, there will be raving and laughing with no resolution. 10 Men of bloodshed hate a blameless man, but the upright care for his life."
Proverbs 29:11-12 "11 A fool vents all his anger, but a wise man holds it back. 12 If a ruler listens to lies, all his officials will be wicked.…"
Notice in these verses that when a fool is in a position of power he will influence those around him to act wickedly. This is true in every situation of life, in families, school systems and even churches. Those who are foolish are evil and will seek to ruin anyone who brings truth that undermines their wicked plans.
Do not be afraid of these people no matter what happens. Do not be intimidated by loss of friends and family. Just do what the Holy Spirit leads you to do and be blessed that you know truth. The greatest blessing of all is to know truth and to walk in it, to know Christ and to walk with Him.
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