Think About It

Have you ever thought about it

Or tried to comprehend
Nailing your child to a cross
To die for other's sins
Then to have those same people
Denounce you and your son
And go along with their sinful lives
And ignore what you have done

That's what we all do
When Easter comes around
We hunt candy and eggs and celebrate
A bunny coming to town
And while all those things are good and well
We should concentrate on the cross
And remember the pain and suffering
When Jesus died for us

Have you ever thought about it
Or tried to comprehend
Having your child die for others
But at his memorial -none attend
And go along with their sinful lives
Like it's just another day
And forgetting the ultimate price
That Jesus had to pay

That's what we all do
When Sunday comes around
We sleep in late or go to the lake
Or simply lay around
And while all those things are good and well
We should concentrate on the Lord
And remember him each Sunday
By worshiping in one accord

Have you ever thought about it
Or tried to comprehend
Your child being able to save souls from hell
But no one tells their friends
They go along with their sinful lives
Never trying to help save a soul
And make money, success and having fun
Their primary goal

That's what we all do
When we don't witness to others
We'd rather speak of sports or gossip
With our sisters and out brothers
And while that's all good and well
We should concentrate on salvation
And remember to spread God's wonderful news
And his gracious invitation.

CELEBRATION OF PASSOVER

"Intimacy With Jesus Through

His Sufferings, Death

and Resurrection"

"That I may know (personally and intimately be acquainted with) him (Jesus), and the power (miraculous performance; force as of the military) of his resurrection (coming back to life), and the fellowship (communion; joint participation) of his sufferings (opposition and persecution), being made conformable (receiving the same form) unto his death (crucifixion of self)". Philippians 3:10 KJV (Capitals are mine for emphasis)

ONLY JESUS CAME BACK FROM THE DEAD AND IS ALIVE TODAY

Identification with Jesus in His sufferings, death and resurrection is the reason we celebrate Passover. Depending on how much we surrender to the Holy Spirit, He is at work to bring us into the image and likeness of Jesus. The Passover celebration is not about the goddess of Spring, Easter egg hunts, bunny rabbits or a fashion parade. It's about the death, burial and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. His resurrection sets Christianity apart from all other religions. The founders of Islam, Confucianism, Hinduism and Buddhism are all dead. Only Jesus came back from the dead and is alive today.

THERE WAS AN IRRESISTIBLE YEARNING AND LONGING IN HIS SPIRIT

The word "know" in Hebrew is an idiom which means "the closeness of an intimate relationship between a husband and a wife". The Apostle Paul had known Jesus for many years already when he wrote this. But, there was an irresistible yearning and longing in His spirit which could not be quenched by anything else but a deep and fulfilling personal relationship with Jesus.

HIS OWN DESIRES HAD TO BE IN TOTAL SUBMISSION TO THE WILL OF GOD

In order to achieve this, he noted that he needed to be a joint participant in communion and fellowship with Jesus in the persecution and opposition He faced while here on Earth. He knew he must "feel" the rejection our Lord experienced, and those imprisoned for their faith, as they were part of the body of Christ. With this there had to be "a death to self". His own desires had to be in total submission to the will of God. There had to be "a funeral for the old man"--his carnal nature. This would be necessary to bring him into a fuller comprehension of knowing the powerful force of the miraculous performance of the resurrection. We cannot fully appreciate the resurrection until we feel His suffering and crucify our fleshly nature to His cross. This is when we enter into "the holy of holies" and meet with Him face-to-face.

Bishop Marvin Schmidt

World Changers International

"Making a Difference in Our World"

Bishop_Marvin@WCI888.com

"Your First Source of Inspiration and Information"

Marvin Schmidt

"Undercover Witchcraft in the Church"

PHARMAKEIA IN THE LAST DAYS

"O FOOLISH (unwise) Galatians, WHO HATH BEWITCHED YOU (to speak ill of one; slander; to charm; bring evil on one by feigning praise or giving the evil eye) that ye should NOT OBEY THE TRUTH, before whose eyes (knowledge to see) Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?" Galatians 3:1 KJV (Capitals are mine for emphasis)

A qualification for a deacon's wife: " . . . NOT SLANDERERS (Gk.: diabolos: devil; false accuser; act the part of the devil to side with him) . . . " 1 Timothy 3:11b KJV; " . . . ACCUSER OF OUR BRETHREN (the devil) . . . " Revelation 12:10b KJV (Capitals are mine for emphasis)

" . . . Did NOT REPENT OF SORCERIES (Gk.: pharmakeia: administering drugs) . . . " (Used in association with murders, fornication and thefts) Revelation 9:21b KJV (Capitals are mine for emphasis)

" . . . SORCERIES (witchcraft; incantations) . . . ENCHANTMENTS (magic; charms; spells) . . . " Isaiah 47:12 KJV (Capitals are mine for emphasis)

Simon bewitched the people of Samaria with "SORCERIES (magical arts and spells), while pretending to be someone great . . . BEWITCHED (a wonder; to amaze; astonish; out of one's mind; insane) . . . " Acts 8:9-11 KJV (Capitals are mine for emphasis)

THESE TEACHERS "WORMED THEIR WAY IN", BRINGING IN CONFUSION TO THE YOUNG CONGREGATION

In case you were not aware of it, allow me to shock you with the news that there are undercover witches in today's church. They were also in the church at Galatia over 1900 years ago. The Christians there had been "bewitched". The Apostle Paul had taught them the gospel of grace. Later Judaizers came in and convinced some of them that the keeping of the law and circumcision were necessary to salvation. These teachers "wormed their way in", bringing in confusion to the young congregation. Paul said that they were "bewitched", which means that these teachers were bringing evil into the church by pretending to love the people, praising and complimenting them. When their guard was down, they "gave them the evil eye" and brought division to the church. This is the same way they operate today.

THESE WITCHES ARE GOOD AT "COVERING THEIR TRACKS"

I know of one witch who has caused havoc in at least five different churches, leaving each one, accusing the pastor of all kinds of things, while they are the ones who stirred up the trouble. I personally know of 17 people one witch, who claimed to be Spirit-filled, destroyed by inviting them to come to her for help, and then when they did not submit to her completely, she went about trying to bring them down. Lives have been ruined. But, these witches are good at "covering their tracks", all along acting superspiritual, and getting involved in the personal lives of the congregation.

THE WORD FOR "SLANDER" IN 1 TIMOTHY 3 IS "DIABOLOS" IN GREEK, WHICH MEANS "DEVIL"

Here is how they work. They interject themselves in other people's business, acting so close to God, and receiving revelations from Him on a daily basis. At the same time they throw fits, curse, gossip, and do all kinds of meanness when they think no one else is watching. They love to try to humiliate others publicly and cause division among friends. One of their favorite tactics is slander. The word for "slander" in 1 Timothy 3 is "diabolos" in Greek, which means "devil". These wives of aspiring deacons aligned themselves with the devil, doing his work by character assassination. The ignorant and unlearned believed their made-up stories, saying, "Where there's smoke there's fire". They had no idea that they have been duped and deceived by these witches in the church, appearing to be so compassionate and used by God. It is only a facade, as on the inside they are full of the devil. What is the work of the devil? According to Revelation 12, it is to be "the accuser of the brethren".

PHARMAKEIA IS IN DRUG CARTELS; IN THE NATION'S ECONOMIES AND THE DRUG CULTURE--BUT IN THE HOUSE OF GOD!?!

How does this work in the church? Sorcerers--those involved in "pharmakeia" (administering drugs), according to Revelation 9--are unrepentant, and also involved in murder (character assassination with false accusations), fornication (sexual impurity) and theft (misuse of designated funds, ponzi schemes and not paying back money they owe, using it for their own purposes). Not only is this drug problem in the world of secular music--Presley, Jackson, Houston, etc.--but witchcraft is being practiced in many circles among God's people, which is intended to divide the body of Christ and lessen our effectiveness. Pharmakeia is in drug cartels; in nation's economies and the drug culture--but in the house of God!?! God help us! Beware. Not everyone who says, "Lord, Lord", is one of us. This is one reason we need a sweeping worldwide revival to get rid of all the unrepentant ones who have made the decision to continue in witchcraft. There is deliverance, but one must want it.

height="1" width="1"> Reprint From a Message a Year and a Half Ago . . . Some of This I Taught 35 Years Ago

1st August 2010

"Pharmakeia:

An Overlooked Sign of the End Times"

" . . . For thy MERCHANTS were THE GREAT MEN OF THE EARTH (international business people with connections to the world economic capital, called Babylon); for BY THY SORCERIES (Greek: pharmakeia: the administration of drugs; poison; demonic activity in association with idolatry) WERE ALL NATIONS (a worldwide drug cartel) DECEIVED (led away from truth into error). And IN HER (the same place where drugs were manufactured, sold and used) WAS FOUND THE BLOOD OF PROPHETS, and SAINTS, and of all that were slain upon the earth". Revelation 18:23c-24 KJV (Capitals are mine for emphasis)

"Idolatry, WITCHCRAFT (Greek: pharmakeia: demonic seduction through drugs and idolatry), hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies". Galatians 5:20 KJV (Capitals are mine for emphasis)

THE CATALYST OF THIS WORLDWIDE DECEPTION WILL BE TRIGGERED BY WHAT IS KNOWN AS THE GREEK WORD, "PHARMAKEIA", PRONOUNCED, "FAR-MAH-KEY-UH", FROM WHICH WE DERIVE THE ENGLISH WORDS, "PHARMACY" AND "PHARMACEUTICALS"

Nine eleven--September 11th, 2001--when the twin towers of the World Trade Center in New York City were brought down in less than an hour, as two hijacked planes crashed into them, was a preview of what will happen when the economic center of the world-system called Babylon--probably New York City--will be burnt up in one hour during the Great Tribulation. Revelation 18 KJV. The catalyst of this worldwide deception will be triggered by what is known as the Greek word, "pharmakeia", pronounced, "far-mah-key-uh", from which we derive the English words, "pharmacy" and "pharmaceuticals". It is a clear reference to "the drug culture" of our current society.

IT IS A MULTI-BILLION DOLLAR BUSINESS WHICH THRIVES IN THE LAST DAYS, BUT ONE OF THE GREATEST DECEPTIONS WHICH SATAN HAS EVER DEVISED

This same word is translated "sorceries" in Revelation 18:23 KJV, and "witchcraft" in Galatians 5:20 KJV. It is a picture of "mind-expanding drugs", which produce hallucinations, and cause the user to see things, and hear voices which are not there. It is a multi-billion dollar business which thrives in the last days, but one of the greatest deceptions which Satan has ever devised. Today, nations such as Mexico and Columbia, and countries in the Arab world are holding their politicians and citizens "hostage", warning those who dare interfere with their drug-trafficking with death, "execution-style". These are not idle threats, as thousands have already been murdered who tried to stand up to these unscrupulous drug dealers.

DRUGS AND JESUS DO NOT GO TOGETHER

It is an insult against God and the intelligence of born again Christians when addicts make the blasphemous claim that "smoking pot--marijuana--assists them in "meditating, and focusing on Jesus". What a lie of the devil. This is a deception of the worst kind. Not only does the Babylonian-system produce the deception of drugs, and make it the number one business enterprise in the last days, but where it is prevalent, Revelation 18 KJV tells us that the prophets of God, and His people are assassinated. Drugs and Jesus do not go together. They are enemies of each other.

THESE WORDS PENNED OVER 1,900 YEARS AGO ARE AS UP-TO-DATE AS THE HEADLINES IN TOMORROW MORNING'S NEWSPAPER

It has been proved over and over again by medical science that pot smoking leads to schizophrenia. Marijuana is an introduction to "the hard stuff" of such addictive drugs as heroin, methamphetamines, and all kinds of "designer-drugs". According to the Word of God, drug use, demonic activity and false religions go hand-in-hand to deceive and destroy one's life. This, my friend, is one of the most overlooked signs of the end times. Let all who read these words beware of the worldwide deception prophesied by John on the Isle of Patmos in the first century AD. These words penned over 1,900 years ago are as up-to-date as the headlines in tomorrow morning's newspaper.

Bishop Marvin Schmidt

World Changers International

"Making a Difference in Our World"

Bishop_Marvin@WCI888.com

"Your First Source of Inspiration and Information"

Marvin Schmidt

I Will Build My Church - Part 1
Rev. Raymond Woodward

Matthew 16:18-19 (KJV) And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

This is the first distinct mention of the church in the New Testament, given by Jesus who is the Builder of the Church. We do not build the church on our own; we simply cooperate with the Master Builder!
THE CHURCH IS NOT A MATERIAL BUILDING
The word is never used in Scripture to refer to a material building (140 times in NT). The language used of the Church could not be applied to a building. ("The Lord added to the church. Herod vexed the church. The church was persecuted. Paul saluted the church. The churches had rest.") Only in the traditions of men can people "go to church."
THE CHURCH IS NOT A DENOMINATION
Denominationalism is contrary to Scripture, evidence of carnality and divisions. Denominations are usually formed around a form of church government, a doctrinal emphasis or truth, a personality that God used in some revival, or an experience. The tragedy is that each revival of truth finds its bitterest enemies in the previous group that had light from heaven, but stopped somewhere along the way! History repeats itself in each generation. The only thing we learn from history is that we never learn from history! We must constantly guard against the degenerating cycle of Message - Man - Movement - Monument. Notice that Jesus does not say He will build His CHURCHES, but His CHURCH. There is only one church - and its message has never changed!
THE CHURCH IS NOT "PLAN B" IN THE MIND OF GOD
The church was not merely instituted after the Jewish rejection of Christ, but rather was prophesied through the entire Old Testament.


All nations were to be blessed by the seed of Abraham (Genesis 22:18)

All the families of the earth were to be blessed by Abraham's seed (Genesis 26:4)

All kindreds of the nations would worship the Lord (Psalms 22:27-28)

In the last days all nations would flow to the house of God (Isaiah 2:2-3)

The Gentiles would seek the Root of Jesse (Isaiah 11:10)

Many nations would be sprinkled with the blood of the Messiah (Isaiah 52:15)

Many nations would be joined to the Lord in that day (Zechariah 2:11)

The Name of the Lord would be great among the Gentiles (Malachi 1:11)

In His Name the Gentiles would trust (Matthew 12:21)



THE CHURCH IS THE CENTERPIECE OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD
The kingdom of God is much larger than the church, because it includes more than the church - the whole universe, all the angelic hosts, and all the Old Testament saints. However, the New Testament church is the CENTERPIECE of God's Kingdom and its most important part. If you live between the Day of Pentecost and the Rapture, YOU MUST BE IN THE CHURCH TO BE SAVED! Jesus said the prophets who gave these prophecies - and even the angels - would love to participate in the things happening in our age.

Matthew 13:16-17 But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear. For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.

1 Peter 1:12 Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.


Moses would love to have seen the royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:5-9)

Isaiah would love to have seen Pentecost (Isaiah 28:10-12)

Joel would love to have been in the Upper Room (Acts 1-2)



THE CHURCH IS THE ONLY THING GOD EVER HAD TO BUY
God created everything else, but the church cost Him dearly! We are privileged beyond measure to be part of the Church of the Living God!

Acts 20:28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood

THE CHURCH IS THE ONLY THING THAT CANNOT BE SHAKEN
Individual saints and local assemblies may have problems, but the church is as solid as the rock of revelation it is built upon.


The earth is to be shaken (Isaiah 2:19-21)

The nation of Israel is to be shaken (Ezekiel 38:19-20)

The heavens and the nations are to be shaken (Haggai 2:6-7)

Everything that can be shaken will be shaken (Hebrews 12:26-29



But the church cannot be shaken! The gates of hell cannot prevail against it, because JESUS IS BUILDING HIS CHURCH!

Matthew 16:18-19 (AMP) And I tell you, you are Peter [Petros, masculine, a large piece of rock], and on this rock [petra, feminine, a huge rock like Gibraltar] I will build My church, and the gates of Hades (the powers of the infernal region) shall not overpower it - or be strong to its detriment, or hold out against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind - that is, declare to be improper and unlawful - on earth must be already bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth - declare lawful - must be what is already loosed in heaven.

Notice two principles in this passage

First, the church is built on a MESSAGE, not a MAN. Men come and go, succeed and fail, but the true revelation of Jesus Christ is the foundation of the church ("thou art the Christ" - Matthew 16:16).
Second, we must build the church according to God's BLUEPRINT if we want to have His BLESSING. The words "bind" and "loose" are perfect passive participles in the Greek language, indicating things that have already been forbidden or permitted. We can't just do whatever we want and expect God to bless it; we must do what He wants, and the blessing will come automatically.
If a contractor builds a house for someone, he sticks to the blueprint, which is the will of the purchaser. If we want to build a church, we need to stick to the blueprint (Bible), which is the will of the purchaser (God). Otherwise, we are not really building a church!
THAT IS THE REASON FOR THIS SERIES. We need to discover God's blueprint for building His church!



PRINCIPLE #1: DO AND TEACH (Acts 1:1)

Acts 1:1 The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach,
Jesus' ministry was all about DOING and TEACHING. The one refers to His miracle-working power, while the other refers to His doctrine. Jesus did not work miracles just for miracles' sake, but He used them to teach doctrine (i.e. healed blind man and taught "I am the light of the world," fed 5000 and taught "I am the bread of life"). He also did not teach just for teaching's sake, but "he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes." (Matthew 7:29)
DOING without TEACHING is wrong! It is wrong to have "spirit" without "truth" because that leads to APOSTASY. It is obedience to doctrine that saves us, not just a "move of the Spirit." It is not your FEELING but your OBEDIENCE that makes you a Christian.
1 Timothy 4:16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.
But TEACHING without DOING is also wrong! It is wrong to have "truth" without "spirit" because that leads to APATHY. God holds us responsible for what we DO with what we KNOW. Talking about revival doesn't bring revival - revival is spelled W-O-R-K!
James 1:22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
OUR CHURCH MUST BOTH DO AND TEACH IF WE WANT TO BE BLESSED BY GOD!
John 4:23-24 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.



PRINCIPLE #2: WITNESS AND WAIT (Acts 1:7-8)

Acts 1:7-8 And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
God has two words for time: CHRONOS, which means "time governed by the clock" (QUANTITY time) and KAIROS, which means "time measured by special moments" (QUALITY TIME).
The key is that you have to take advantage of KAIROS time at the moment it happens, or you lose it forever.
Luke 19:44 (NKJV) 41Now as He drew near, He saw the city and wept over it, 42saying, "If you had known, even you, especially in this your day, the things that make for your peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. 43For days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment around you, surround you and close you in on every side, 44and level you, and your children within you, to the ground; and they will not leave in you one stone upon another, because you did not know the time of your visitation."
Acts 24:25 (NKJV) Now as he reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and answered, "Go away for now; when I have a convenient time I will call for you."
Ephesians 5:15-16 (NKJV) 15 See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, 16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
Galatians 6:9 (NKJV) And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.
When the disciples asked when Jesus was going to "restore the kingdom" (send revival), He told them that it was not for them to distinguish between the "times" (CHRONOS) and the "seasons" (KAIROS), because only God controls times of supernatural visitation!
Only God has power (EXOUSIA = AUTHORITY) over the results of our prayer, our worship, and our work. But He has given us power (DUNAMIS = ABILITY) to be witnesses.
The key to revival is for the church to exercise its ABILITY until God exercises His AUTHORITY.
We must WITNESS and WAIT!



PRINCIPLE #3: RISE ABOVE AND GO BEYOND (Acts 1:25)

Acts 1:25 That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.
Sometimes we mistakenly think that the early church was somehow more "spiritual" than we are today. But the book of Acts tells us plainly that they had problems and setbacks too.
Outside of the crucifixion of Jesus, probably no other situation was harder for the disciples to deal with than the fall of Judas. He had been ordained to be an Apostle, ordained to preach the Gospel, and given power over devils and disease. And yet he backslid and betrayed the Lord into the hands of the Sanhedrin. What a setback for the church!
But we do not see the disciples giving up or getting discouraged! Instead, they resolutely rise above their heartache and move beyond a terrible trial to embrace their future in God.
With God, FAILURE IS NEVER FATAL! God never wastes a hurt!
Micah 7:8 Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the LORD shall be a light unto me.
Let's rise above our past, our problems and our perplexities, and go beyond to a place that we have never been before!

An Old Tree

This story is a beautiful analogy for our own lives.

Once upon a time there was a leafy tree in a field. Leaves grew densely on the tall branches. The roots were deeply into the ground. The tree was the most remarkable among the rest.

The tree then became the home for some birds. They built their nests and they lived on his branches. The birds made holes on him, and they hatched their eggs within the greatness of the tree. The tree felt so delighted because he was accompanied as he walked through his long lasting days.

People were grateful for the presence of the tree. They often came over and sheltered under him. Under his branches, they sat down and opened their picnic baskets. "This tree is very useful," that's what the people said every time they went home from shelter. The tree was very proud hearing those compliments.

However, time went on. The tree was beginning to be sick. His leaves and twigs were falling, then his body became thin and pale. The greatness he used to have was fading away. Birds felt reluctant to build their nests there. No one would come to sit under the tree to shelter anymore.

The tree wept, "Oh God, why is it so hard for me? I need friends. Now no one would come close to me. Why do you take all the glory I used to have?" The tree cried loudly, so it echoed throughout the forest. "Why wouldn't you cut me down, so I don't have to bear this suffering?" The tree kept on crying, and his tears were running down his dry body.

Seasons came and went, but his condition had not changed. The tree was still feeling lonely. His branches became drier and drier. Every night the tree wept and cried, until the morning broke.

"Cheep...chirp....cheep" Ah, what was that noise? Oh, it's a little baby bird who has just pipped from the egg. The old tree woke up from his daydream.

"Cheep...chirp...cheep", the noise became louder and louder. There was another baby bird. Not long after that, the tree became noisy because of the birth of new baby birds. One...two...three...and four baby birds have been born to this world. "Ah, He has answered my prayers," exclaimed the old tree.

The day after, there were many birds flying to the old tree. They were going to build new nests. The dry branches have turned out to attract their attention to nest there. The birds felt warmer to stay inside the dry branches instead of their place before. The number of birds was increasing and there were more kinds of them. "Wow, now my days are brighter with their presence here", murmured the old tree gladly.

The old tree was back to cheer again. And when he looked down, his heart was flowing with joy. There was a new little tree growing near his roots. The new tree seemed to smile at him. The tears of the old tree has grown a little tree who would continue his devotion to nature.


That's the way it is. Is there any lesson that we could take from the story? God always has secret plans for us. The Almighty God will always gives answers to our questions. Even though it is not always easy to guess what the resolution is, be certain that the Omniscient God knows what's best for us.

When there are times He sends temptation for us, in other times He gives us His overflowing blessings. The test He gives us isn't something that can't be overcome. When God gave the temptation to the old tree, actually He DELAYED in giving His glory. God didn't choose to cut the old tree down since He kept some secrets. God was testing his patience.

So, be sure, whatever temptation we are facing is a part of the chain of glory He is preparing for us. Don't give up, and don't be discouraged. God is always there beside patient people.

Grace Multiplied

Lindsey spread out on her dorm room bed stressed by the closeness of finals and the lack of funds she needed to get through the week.

Lindsey needed a break from her studies, so she hopped up and checked her purse to see how much money she had left to spend on food.

Four dollars and fifty-eight cents did not sound like a lot of money considering there were three days left before she got paid.

Lindsey devised a plan to budget the money and opted for a trip to the corner market for a loaf of bread and a jar of peanut butter.

Grabbing her coat, Lindsey headed out the door and down the stairs hoping she did not pass anyone she knew along the way.

She arrived at Al's Market just before closing, checked the prices to make sure she had enough money, and headed to the counter with her purchase.

To save a few steps in the biting wind, Lindsey decided to leave by the back door instead of the front.

As Lindsey stepped into the alley, she jumped as a nearby noise frightened her.

"Oh, don't be alarmed, Miss. Howie and I were just looking through the garbage cans trying to find something to eat. We won't hurt you."

Lindsey turned to see a couple of elderly men in raggedy clothes, and the one who spoke to her tipped his soiled hat and smiled as he spoke.

Lindsey looked at the two men and then at her sack.

"I just realized I don't need this. Could you two gentlemen use a loaf of bread and a jar of peanut butter?"

"Could we? Are you sure you don't need it, Miss?"

"Oh, positive. I just realized I already have some at home. Here, take it, and let me see if Al has a knife you can use."

"Why that is very kind of you, Miss. God bless you."

Lindsey retreated into the store, secured an old knife from Al, and returned and handed it to the homeless man who spoke to her.

"Here you are. Well, I must be on my way now."

"Thanks again, Miss. You are much too kind."

Lindsey headed out of the alley and back to the dorm, more full in the heart than empty in the stomach, and not yet thinking of how she would survive the week.

"Excuse me, Miss, but I think you dropped this," said another elderly man as he handed her an envelope.

"Oh, no this isn't mine," Lindsey replied, as she turned to return the envelope to the elderly gentleman, but he was nowhere in sight.

"Where could he have gone?" Lindsey wondered.

Lindsey opened the envelope and found a note inside.

"For as much as you have done unto the least of these, you have done unto me."

Inside the note Lindsey found two one hundred dollar bills upon which she deposited a few tears.

Finding You - 2

Proverbs 11:28 - 'He that trusteth in his riches shall fall: but the righteous shall flourish as a branch.'

Don't cheat yourself! No matter what a person tells you, when you chase money, you run from God. Riches are good if they are earned or given by God, but do not seek fast money and wealth. You totally take God out of the picture. I'm not preaching against the sideline jobs, or paramid schemes like Amway and such, but I am saying that we should consult God about fast money schemes and things of that sort before we try to hit up all our friends, family, and sinners that need to hear the gospel instead of our sales pitch. We want to be witnesses to the blessings of God and not money chasers. I know Pastors that get their whole congregations involved in money making schemes and sales pitches. Where is God in this? Should we use our network of saints to push our monetary agenda? No! Allow God to focus you, to lead you, and to teach you how to prosper his way. 2, 3 or even 4 jobs can wear you out and cause you to be so engulfed in work that you have no time for the purpose that God has for you. But when you tap into who you are in Christ and the gift he has given you to prosper with, you can prosper according to the plan he has for you.

Money should be chasing you down and not you chasing it down! All you have to do is work a job, and be a faithful giver in your everyday life, and God will prosper you. God will cause you to prosper in due season, but you must find out how he wants you to prosper instead of jumping into every money making hustle that comes along. Getting in all these money schemes will only cause you to become a slave to them and your true purpose will be forgotten. Also, we must remember that this world is not our home, so we should be storing up treasure in heaven and not here on earth. Don't get me wrong, money is good to have, but it should never "have us!" Find out what God's plans are for you and your money, and he will direct you accordingly.

Suggested Reading: Prov. 8:18, Prov. 13:7, Prov. 22:1, Prov. 22:4, Eccl. 5:19