Who Is It?

There is a peace that surpasses all understanding, a warmth that covers your whole person (Philippians 4:7 KJV). There is an indescribable knowing that clears up all confusion - it is undeniably God (1 Corinthians 14:33 KJV). Most Christians understand that description and can't help but to smile remembering when the love glove encapsulated each one of them for the first time.
Every experience that involves God will remove yokes, remove burdens, cause peace, reveal joy, and/or will show where we got off of the path of righteousness. If none of these things happen in what you say, hear, or do, it is unequivocally not God!

One Sunday morning I arose to make my son and I some breakfast. While eating, I heard a scream and then a wailing going on outside. About half a block away, there is a church in a the middle of services. Apparently, the praise and worship service overwhelmed a congregant to the point of not being able to contain himself. So instead of disrupting services, the person stood outside of the building and wailed. Wailed so loud that he could be heard at least half a block away with windows and doors closed. I suppose it is acceptable behavior. My question, is it God? Is God pleased with you disrupting an entire neighborhood with your praise?

Have you ever used the search engine to look up "the Holy Spirit" dance? When you watched it, did you sense the Spirit of God being in that? Was it the Spirit of God that told the person to video tape it and post it online? If you think it was, why would He do that?

There is a show about pastors on cable. I watched a few episodes wondering if it was another scripted

"reality" show or if there is a premise of truth to draw more souls to Christ. One of the pastors divorced his wife, opened a church in another part of the country, living with a woman he wasn't married to and expecting a baby The church of past would have frowned at this man and signed him off as a devil worshiper. Truth be told, I was frowning too especially finding out that his father is a bishop...but...(and I seriously can't believe I am writing this) God has given us all allowances so that we could apply what we know from the truth. I cannot fault him for following in his father's footsteps nor can I fault him for following the call God has on his life with his music. With that understood, what about all of the other dirt? Well, what about it? Is the plank out of your eye yet?

Look, I don't like it either when scandal is attached to the name of someone belonging in the clergy especially after all of those sermons for the congregation to live a better life. What can he/she speak about after that? Its just that in the show, there is that pastor that put it all out in the open. Is it arrogant or just being honest? Can he preach about not sinning or would he be a hypocrite? I don't know, but the Word is clear when it comes to deacons and bishops (1 Timothy 3:1-13 AMP). Is there more slack for a pastor? if there is, who do you follow and how would you know? Still, it's in the Word. You cannot follow God and mammon. It's as simple as that.

The voice of God is clear, concise, and it doesn't waiver. There are no loop holes in His instruction. People might not like hearing the truth because they know that they will have to change (John 8:32 KJV). Change for us is inevitable. God will forever remain the same. By now, you know the voice of the Good Shepherd (John 10:27 AMP). Disregarding Him in this day and age is just foolish!

There Is This Tidal Wave

What is the difference between a tidal wave and a tsunami? Answer: the language that each of those words

come from. Both are large waves from the ocean caused by a sea quake or a hurricane that comes toward the land causing destruction in its path.

I recall the tsunami in Haiti. What I didn't understand was when the people saw the animals moving toward higher ground, why didn't they move too? Why was it more important to still do what it was on their minds to do, then to see what was going on or to pay any attention to that gut feeling to get out of harm's way? Was death speaking louder then life? How? Why didn't more hear the warning signs? How could the animals hear more then the people?

For this year, I pray that we can be the hearers that God calls for us to be (John 10:27 AMP). For those who are young in the faith, we can reach and grab onto them for redirection, correction, and exhortation in Jesus' name (Hebrews 12:1-8 AMP). You see there is this natural occurrence that we can see. We know that the outcome of this natural occurrence isn't favorable especially if we did not have the ears to hear His voice. But then there is the tidal wave that we cannot see. Something that comes over believers whether it be for a test, trial, or tribulation, we must be ready and equipped to weather the wave. We have to be deeply rooted in His Word so that when the destruction passes, we still stand (Luke 6:47-49 AMP).

Why would such a thing come over believers and where is this written in the Word?

Its lengthy to explain. You will have to study the passages closely to see the truth. You will also have to act on the truth to be truly set free (John 8:32 KJV). I will take this issue, that I have never heard taught in any church, slowly and step by step. I invite you to email me if you note anything in error or have any concerns.

One of the first passages that come to mind is Job. He was afraid that his children would sin. Having no proof, he decided to sacrifice to atone for their sin that was never confessed (Job 1:5 AMP). Not only was his fear distasteful to God for we know we cannot please Him without faith, but that Job being a priest knew what was expected of him. Because of these acts, he had a wave come over his house. One that destroyed his family, his home, his wealth, his health, and his faith (Job 1:13-22 AMP).

With Job being the foundation of this entry, look at the responsibility of the pastor. God uses him to be the shepherd of the sheep. He is a servant of the Lord to feed the flock. He hears the message from the Lord, prays about what he has heard, then he studies. Once getting these aspects into place, he readies himself for service. His tongue is used as God's mouth piece to do as God says for him to do for the good of the bride (the church) readying herself for the coming of the groom (Jesus, our Lord). If the pastor deviates from what the Lord has given for the flock to eat, its as if the pastor has led the sheep down a wrong path. He taught them in error and what can happen is the flock can be scattered, the children of God can be offended, and the Word of God will do what God says it will do. For it is written, it is better that he have a millstone put around his neck and thrown into the sea then to offend one of the little ones (Matthew 18:6 AMP). Jesus said this when he was surrounded with children so we assume and treat this verse with how we behave when speaking or teaching children. Nevertheless, we walk in the Spirit and children can be full grown adults with child like faith. If a Christian new in the faith is willing to listen and heed to whatever his/her pastor says without question, then the pastor must realize this and adhere to the Word of the Lord or the tsunami that hits will be devastating.  

It is for this reason that we pray for our pastors. He has many means to be tempted if he is not mature in the Lord himself. The purpose for this portion of the entry is because there are too many men that think that he can pastor a church without proper training and doesn't spend the time being under authority to prove himself to be a good leader. Whether it is because of ego, pride, or just being a zealot, none of these things are good qualities in being a good pastor. All of the warning signs are there. If this sort of pastor does not hear, then the wave that comes across him will also affect his family and the ministry (Ephesians 4:1-3 AMP).

As congregants, our prayers are necessary. We are like the men holding up the arms of the pastor while the battle continues. We pray that the flesh is crucified daily not only in our own lives but the lives of the pastor, his family and our brothers and sisters in Christ. This is iron sharpening iron (Proverbs 27:17 AMP). 

With this knowledge, you cannot neglect your own relationship with the Lord. Have you ever asked yourself, about the peace or lack thereof after a message. The Lord does speak to us and with Him being the definition of peace, when we sense anything but peace in our lives and having no answers as to why, it is not the time to ignore that warning sign. Prayer not only will give you answers but will change matters. I use to attend a small ministry for years. One day I noticed upon entering the building that I felt queasy. I had no idea what it was and disregarded the feeling as a bug going around. By the time service ended, I had a headache and a need to lie down. Once I got home, all of the nauseated feelings dissipated. The following service, it happened again. I prayed but also found much later that my overall health returned once I left that ministry altogether. Later it was discovered scandal was laced throughout the clergy. Having been a baby in the Lord back then, this would have affected my faith greatly. God saw it all and protected me.

Over the years, many of the ministries have changed. We all go through changes when we grow; however, we aren't unrecognizable to each other. Ministries shouldn't have such a radical change that the congregants have to get use to their surroundings, unless the ministry was way out in left field instead of the Word in the first place. There are certain things that must be removed from the ministry and its the pastor's job to make sure this is done when it is found. There is a procedure when a believer becomes oppositional. Even when the offender goes through the process, there is a time of rest to see if the understanding of the truth has taken place (Matthew 18:15-17 AMP). We are not set free unless there is an understanding (Proverbs 4:7 KJV). This is true in every aspect of the ministry and again the pastor's job to make sure this is done. A job that is not difficult for him because he has already done this and has maintained this order in his own home. If a man cannot maintain order in his home, he has no business trying to manage a ministry (1 Timothy 3:1-5 AMP). As a congregant, we have the responsibility to see these things for ourselves to guard our own hearts. Is the pastor's wife loving or does she scowl and is angry? Are the pastor's children respectful of their parents or do they act differently towards adults when away from authority? These are all warning signs telling what is being taught in the ministry. Take heed (1 Timothy 3:6-13 AMP).

There is a passage in Psalms that describes the direction of the anointing (Psalm 133:1-2 AMP). The analogy shows that the oil comes down the head, to the beard, and the rest of the skirts. It has been taught that this is the flow of blessings as received in the ministry. Would that also be true for punishment? Again I refer to Job. Though him being a priest, it was his action that caused the punishment. His children's death was because of Job's action. The grief his wife endured for the loss of her family was because of Job's actions. His friends were trying to make sense of Job's bad fortune was because of the acts of Job. This is also reminiscent of the act of Adam. Because of his actions, man was cursed. It took the action of Jesus to redeem us all for past, present, and future stupid actions that have nothing to do with righteousness (Hebrews 5:1-14 AMP). This passage of Psalms also shows that the anointing flows. Therefore, in ministry, there is nothing that is stagnant. When ministry isn't doing anything, its because God has not been accepted there or has been disregarded. Waves of destruction are destined for such a ministry as that.

How are you living? It seems like a standard question and maybe something that would be obvious to those that profess Christianity; however, there are some that have incorporated worldly practices and have minimized the importance of living a holy life . For it is written, be thou holy for I am holy (1 Peter 1-16 AMP). It is God that is doing the talking in that passage. If He is the greater one living on the inside of each everyone one of us that believes, why would it be such a difficult thing to do to live a holy life? Have you not been taught to live holy? You cannot do what you have never been taught. Who is it that is doing the teaching? Your pastor. Does he live a holy life? This does not mean for you to stalk the man or his family. It calls for you to watch and pray (Ephesians 6:18 AMP). Many men speak profound truths and when  they incorporate testimony, they give a wealth of information about themselves. I have written many excerpts in this blog about such testimonials I have heard and wondered if the minister knew what he/she just said. From confessions of being a control freak to being verbally abusive to their spouse, I find it amazing how God will show you where you need to be and why.

You might be the very reason why the tidal wave didn't hit that ministry. Remember what Abram asked when God told him to leave Sodom and Gomorrah? He would saved the city if there were 10 righteous people in it (Genesis 18:23-33 AMP). Are you one of the people that should be there for the ministry to be saved? You are created for a time such as this. Know exactly what it is you are created for. Selah.

Can We Get Really Real For A Moment?

Times are changing and no matter how hard you try for them not to, they still continue to do so. That can be a good thing - if you have been waiting a long time for your blessing (James 1:4 KJV). Nevertheless, you are also changing; this is also a good thing. In growth, we all change. We learn new things and change from where we were to where we are. It might not be where you would like to be right now, but its better then where you were. If it isn't, I implore you to consider your ways!

That would be a warning. There have been warnings across the pulpit for years and because we didn't see those things happen before our eyes, we wiped the sweat from our brows, thanked God for His mercy and continued to do what we were doing before the warning. Did you change from your wicked ways (Acts 3:26 AMP)? For how long? Did you attempt to go back to the old way and didn't feel anything was wrong with what you are doing so as long as you aren't hurting anyone, why not keep doing it? Is that how you have been thinking (Romans 7:15-20 AMP)? You haven't heard any warnings lately, so its all good right? All is well?

Understand when someone says, it is well...first, find out if that person is a Christian. If you know he/she is, then start praying. Remember in scripture when that phrase was said over and over again. The woman's son was dead and she was looking for the prophet. She had to keep the faith and press on until she found a man of God who hears from Him to do what is necessary for her son to live. Others didn't have the faith to do anything but say what she did not want to believe is true. Until he did what she believed for him to do - then all became well. It took faith to actually manifest itself (2 Kings 4:8-37 AMP). How is your faith? How is the faith of those around
you? Still the size of a mustard seed or have you planted it and believing for something yet?

I was watching a married couple have a disagreement. She had been married to him for 20 years and knew him 5 years before they married. She had done everything he wished for her to do and she wasn't happy. He was frustrated with her and all she could still be doing, but won't. It was later revealed that they had a threesome. Apparently, this once never spoken taboo is more socially acceptable these days. Now, I had a better understanding of their disagreement because before all of the bickering was petty and childish. When asked about the threesome, he sheepishly bowed his head in shame but admitted to it. How does he expect for there to be peace in his house when he makes a suggestion for their marital bed to be defiled (Hebrews 13:4, Psalm 119:1 AMP)? In accepting the suggestion, she has welcomed the enemy residence. Does light and dark commune? Jesus is peace. So if there is no peace in your house, does this mean Jesus has left the building?

I was looking at one of the housewives shows. One of the women had a birthday party for her father at the Museum of Sex in New York. I never knew there was such a place. I went to do some research on it to see what would be the exhibit without being labeled as a peep show. Interestingly enough, there were many prints and documents showing the history of condoms, the chastity belt, various art works displayed and where pornography originated. These museums were not isolated in New York but in London, Amsterdam, Sweden and other parts of America. As I continued to watch the documentary, I noticed the hardship man use to have trying to print cartoons of sexual images in various precarious positions. No matter how difficult the task, he did it. After the few pages were printed, there would be a man at the top of a building waiting for his buyer to come see the product and quote a price. These images were printed only for the elite or upper class. But the times changed and photography was invented. Getting beautiful women to pose nude used to be too difficult to do as well as expensive. So they settled for peasants on the street for a few pence. The response to purchase the pictures were less then stellar. Fast forward, to today because we know what has happened since then. The sex industry has no economic slump in it so far and the documentary went back for more then 100 years! Continuing with the film, a woman decided she was going to beat some record. I didn't know if this act was going into Guinness or what. I saw no purpose in what she decided to do. She came into the room dressed in a yellow damask and gold trim gown. She wore a mask and spoke while hooked up to a microphone. On one side of the room was a man with a flip score board. She walked slowly down the aisle. Her audience were only of men. When she got to the platform and onto the stage, a table was waiting for her. The narration: she was going to have sex with more then 200 men - right then and there. The men sitting in the audience, stripped down and got in line. Why, why,...WHY?!!!

The common answer would be, sin (Romans 6:12 AMP). Yet, I wonder; in these last days...do you really think there are over 200 men coming together for that, never heard anything about Jesus? Nothing?!! Do people really choose death when they have the option before them? Did God really have to tell us to choose life (Deuteronomy 30:19 KJV)? I thought of this when listening to that woman dressed in the yellow gown and beckoning to the 200 men in line, "don't keep me waiting!" She completed her assignment. She reached her goal says the narrator. What do you suppose those men had to endure when the cameras were off?

Times sure have changed but the acts that people have done that are supposed to be shocking the viewer are actually quite old. Its been done before - decades and some hundreds of years ago. While watching the documentary, I thought I would be mortified but when allowing the information to start at the beginning, you can see what has happened was/is inevitable (Galatians 5:17-21 AMP). Though the acts and the outcomes were not correlated, people filmed in the documentary had their moment of fame and those that didn't died, look haggard and/or under the delusion that they are still young and vibrant.

Another show I watch is Intervention on A and E. I am fascinated with the root of the problem and how Sandy abused drugs and alcohol. She had been through so much and her children were frustrated with what they could do to help. Her husband was also an addict but sobered up. He didn't know what else to do either. He lost his job, his home, the respect of his children, his wife and when they all convinced Sandy to go to rehab, he sought a divorce. This didn't help her sobriety. She violated the rules of the treatment center by purchasing mouthwash to substitute for the vodka. At the end of those 90 days, Sandy stayed sober long enough to attend the weddings of her daughters. After the events were over, she passed away. It was the first time I ever saw the passing of the focused addict on the show - she died? There was nothing in her life strong enough or more important then the Vodka she consumed daily. Even when most of her pancreas had been removed, that wasn't enough to quit. In essence, she made her choice. The outcome was inevitable. The counselors deal with the addict because of that root. Sometimes, the root is so deep, the counselor doesn't know what to do. Other times, the rehab facility is at a loss. Last night, a rerun was showing about the addict. It should serve as a reminder, what not to do.

What about you? Do you really need to be shocked to know how much God wishes for you to live? Is it really as hard as you think it is, to do what's right? Even being a Christian, are you really tempted to go back in the world? Who is stronger (Luke 11:21-26 AMP), the world or your faith in God? Times might be changing and if you read you bible, you know change for some will not be good. God, never changes. He loved you yesterday, today, and forever. As much diversity there is out there, how are you handling it? Who do you hear calling you? No matter what, tell Him about it. He said, He will never forsake you.

The Voice

The world has either a gut feeling or women's intuition. I have heard of warning signs and the proverbial red flags to tell them of danger or when to run. The world uses experimentation, process of elimination, theories, and hypothesis to establish some sort of sense in the environment by which they choose to live. If listened to long enough, I suppose one would think it could make some sort of sense. I recall not so long ago when the theory of evolution was just that - a theory! Recently, I heard a relatively seemingly intelligent woman have a discussion with a group of women about the fact of evolution and anyone believing otherwise is an idiot. I waited for rebuttal from the other women and it was more like mumbling amongst themselves rather than a loud voice as she felt assured to have her say. It was bothersome.

Not being of the world but in the world because we are a peculiar nation having chosen life, we know not to ask for signs to see that which we should have faith in (John 20:29 AMP). It is impossible to please God without faith (Hebrews 11:6 KJV). Asking God to give us a sign would mean that faith is just not enough and we need to see some evidence right now in order for our faith to be at work. That would be the antithesis of faith or don't you see that? Therefore, amongst other things, God has given us this inward witness by which we hear Him. Some say it is an audible voice while others believe it is an internal knowing. Which ever the case, it is necessary to know that it must be tested to know that what is being heard is actually the truth.

There are some basic truths we know in hearing His voice. It is our safe guard so we won't have to ask for signs to believe and won't be fooled by every wind of doctrine:
1. Whatever God tells us will not be contradictory of His word.
2. He would not give a partial verse for us finish it on our own.
3. He will not answer a question with a question.
4. His voice will exhort, edify, and comfort.
5. His voice will not compromise your ethics, values, morals, or Spiritual rectitude.
6. His voice will stand the test.

While some believers claim they don't have this inward witness that they have heard others speak of nor do they hear an audible voice, God still speaks. You just have to be aware where and when He is speaking to you. For instance, I wrote about a couple of women. One is my co-worker while the other is a resident at my place of employment. Both worked odd hours and had families to care for as well. With the schedules they had, everything else became the priority and their health was secondary. Neither of the women felt it necessary to stop and rest or have the time to take a vacation. They had mouths to feed and extended family members they had to care for. There just wasn't time. One woman had a massive heart attack while the other had a stroke. It took months for them to rehabilitate and get back on their feet. They took the time for themselves now. They get plenty of rest now. I heard the voice of God even though when both of the women told me their stories, they didn't tell it to me as a warning for me to slow down, yet the inward witness did. I heard their words and what they weren't saying was God speaking.

Another example was when I was in high school. My brother adored Science class and when he advanced to Chemistry there was this teacher where her reputation proceeded her. She expected the best out of everyone that passed through the threshold of her classroom... well, that's how my brother perceived her harsh manner of teaching. I heard one student asked her a question and her reply was, "aw honey child, you should have learned that in elementary school." She never did answer that student's question. Another time I heard her tell a class, "I got mine. you've got to get yours." The rumors intimidated me so I made it my assignment to do whatever I needed to in order for me not to have her class. I got through the entire four years without having her as a teacher. I would see her from time to time in the hallway and she would look at me as if she was wondering why she hadn't seen me in any of her classes. While I passed her in the hall, I would smirk. Later when finishing college, I thought about that teacher and the things she said. Why would a grown woman say those things to children? She went to school to be a teacher and make a difference not to be a bully. Then I realized that she might have been intimidated by them. What if she got a student that was brilliant and had a question that she couldn't answer? She had to lay the ground work of fear so that couldn't happen. What I heard without her saying it was that she didn't like her job. She didn't like children. She liked to be respected no matter if it was through fear. It was a life lesson for me to enjoy the full extent of my life and not to fall into complacency without an out.

There are comedians that make jokes so they won't get depressed over their many faults. We laugh at those jokes because the faults are familiar to us. Yet at the same time, it could be the voice of God showing you that you are not alone. The bible tells men to learn from their forefathers and for the older women to tell the younger - does that happen? Do you see a seminars, retreats, or forums for men and young women? No one is beating down doors to tell of all of their many faults for others to learn from them. No one likes to hear their mistakes over and over again yet God said to do it. I heard an elderly woman tell of her family and how her sons treat her. It was shameful yet my first thought was, "how did she raise her sons to be so cruel?" She didn't believe she was cruel to them nor would she believe that she raised them incorrectly, yet her telling me what her sons did, taught me without her knowing it. Another woman was caring for her elderly mother. She has one grown son and said to me, "I wish I had a daughter. Sons don't take care of their parents in their old age." She continued to tell me of all she has been doing for her mother in caring for the estate. She inadvertently let slip as well that she didn't expect her mother to live this long. She was about to be 93. Having four sons of my own I continued to listen and watch what she did for her mother. One day I caught her grumbling about how much money it was costing to care for her mother, yet her mother had invested this money for her old age. It wasn't as if the daughter was spending her own money she just expected a sizable inheritance. When the doctor made visits to check the health of the elderly woman I overheard the daughter ask for a DNR to be put in place. Would a son ask for such a thing? And if her mother invested that money for her old age, would she also have put a DNR in place for herself. The daughter looked at me when she finished with the doctor. She didn't think I knew what she requested. I continued to listen and watch the life lessons that was being played before me.

The Word tells us that in the last days men will be lovers of themselves. Men would become intelligent able to predict the weather yet looking over the signs of the Lord's second coming. Yes, there is a voice and He speaks to us everyday whether it is an inward witness an audible or watching the scenes from everyday life. Our jobs is to be aware, stay alert, and keep on watch. Test everything until you are absolutely sure that it is right (1 John 4:1-3 KJV). He tells all what we need to know and that which is to come.

Pearls

The Word says he who asks for Wisdom God gives to him liberally and upbraideth it not (James 1:5 KJV). Wisdom is far more precious than rubies (Proverbs 3:15 AMP). It is the principle thing we have with our faith by fearing God. With the way God sees things and Wisdom being what it is, what do we do with her once she has been found?We have seen and spoken to people that don't use the good sense God gave them. Should we take the time to give the Wisdom that God gave to us when we asked? And if we decide to do so, is God pleased?

An elderly man who is fascinated by the artwork that I do, comes to the office to where I am drawing and to ask to see the latest piece. He then shows me of the artwork he did years ago using acrylic paint and a solid piece of clear acrylic. He is talented. We began discussing various artworks of famous painters. I showed him somethings on the internet and how he could make money selling his pieces. When it meant for him to put forth some effort with his own talent, he stopped talking. He stopped asking to see pieces of my work. He would only peer over my shoulder and smile. I asked why wouldn't he do something so simple to use and having computer knowledge already? He explained how he retired from being so busy. He went through his mundane itinerary that we all do over the course of the day. I stopped trying to make him see what he refused to do. It was pointless. His excuses for not doing anything didn't seem worth while for me to make him change his mind.

God gives Wisdom to those who ask. We use it to further advance our lives in the abundance Jesus came to give. God is pleased with our prosperity (Psalm 35:27 AMP). When you can see where someone could be, is it hard for you to not say anything? With the love of God, I can't see how I could keep myself from not saying anything. Yet there does come a point where no matter what you say, the listener refuses to hear. He/she has their mind made up. You cannot force it down their throats.

Could this be relevant when witnessing to others? Of course, we would like to win souls for Christ. We wouldn't have anyone be lost. This is the wish God has as well (1 Timothy 2:4 AMP); however, wouldn't it be more beneficial all the way around that you be a good listener to His voice before forcing someone to listen to you? He orders the steps of a good man (Psalms 37:23 AMP). He can change the heart of a king (Proverbs 21:1 AMP). Your abilities are only limited through Christ. When you force your faith on someone else and they clearly aren't interested, you changed that love walk into your walk and that's evil no matter how good your intentions are.

Personally, with Christ as my personal Lord and Savior, when someone beckons me for the purpose of saving my soul, my immediate response is to roll my eyes. When the one speaking doesn't change his/her mind after seeing this, I know they are not listening to God. Why would God tell you to come to me and I already live, breath, and do for Him? When the outcome is annoyance, why persist? How is that a love relationship depicting God? Anyone could see that as stalking and it is not good; therefore, it is not God.

Do you see any value in pearls? Would you lay a string of pearls in a pig pen? A pig would attempt to eat the pearls but once finding them inedible, the pearls become a part of the dung-filled mud that makes his environment. Once covered in dung and mud, do the pigs care (Matthew 7:6 AMP)? Did they ever?

Would this be the same when going to church? If you know the pastor hears from God and the message he is called to preach is reminiscent of a message you heard not just a few months ago. God is telling you something. If Jesus prepared a table for you and what you received was a plate of strained baby food, would you ask why or continue to eat the baby food? Would baby food sustain you? How long would it be before you get hungry again? Infants are fed milk every 2 hours. Would milk sustain you? Would Wisdom be speaking for you to move on? Wouldn't it be to your benefit to seek His face to be placed in a church where the harvest is plentiful?

On the other hand, pastors cannot be afraid of the congregation growing to be sons and moving on to what God has called him/her to do. Pastor should know by now that God will fill the empty seats? It took faith to get the pastors where they are. Why use anything else when the ministry is in full operation?

The Word tells us to seek Wisdom early while we can. Would this mean that there will come a time where Wisdom will not be heard? Pearls have no value to someone who worries. If a problem is exacerbated with worry then the God who knew you before you were formed in the womb has been minimized if thought of at all. Worry is a euphemism for fear. When one instills fear, Wisdom cannot be found. For this reason, when witnessing,  the fire and brimstone message isn't good. God woes us with love. We use that same love with people. Wisdom cannot be found when a pastor worries that the collection plate is lighter than usual. He is the same God that paid the mortgage, why would He leave you in your time of need? The same God that fed you well in the ministry where you were saved. God will continue to lead, feed, and provide in the place He is sending you.

Keep the pearls God has given liberally. Know when to give those precious words and when not to. Recognize His voice and know when those precious words are given to you unless your preference is the mire of dung and mud.

Read It for Yourself!

To not know things in this day and age can prove to be detrimental for your health. We simply don't put our trust in anyone and everyone anymore. We should know better than that, not only because of what we have been taught but simply because of what we have said and done ourselves. For instance, I would have loved to take my children to Disneyland when they were little. We were saving every nickle and dime we could find. But as a young mother some years ago, I had to weigh purchasing diapers for the baby or fulfilling the idea I planted into the minds of my children. My now ex-husband and their father wasn't working and the pressure was on. Diapers, of course, won.

What sort of pressure would pastors be under when stepping to the pulpit to teach a lesson that hearers need to act upon? Have the bills been paid? Did someone sue the church and win the case? Are there any marital problems that might weaken the ministry? Are the staff that was hired by the pastor above reproach? Is scandal looming anywhere in the ministry? You wouldn't know and most ministers don't divulge that sort of information to their congregation.

Over the years I have heard thousands of sermons, messages, and prophecies. And while most of them I believed were anointed, coming straight from God, in those tender years of salvation I stumbled a few times believing all that I heard and not being a hearer only (James 1:22 AMP). Because of any number of things that could go on in a speaker's life, fear could cause the speaker to make mistakes; what the bible refers to as err (Isaiah 9:16; 1 Thessalonians 2:3 AMP). When this err is heard, the listener goes and acts upon it and then is in err as well (2 Timothy 4:3 AMP). This ripple effect can cause the very thing the pastor feared - the congregants leaving.

A prime example is a message I heard, "If You Take Care of God's House, He'll take Care of Yours." It sounds like a good deal seeing God is not a man that He should lie. So the listeners to this message gives financially believing their debt, burdens, and worry will be miraculously relieved. You know, believe to receive and you shall have. Well, it worked - for the pastor anyway. His bill can be paid. You, on the other hand, must stand on faith to receive. One, two, three, four, months had past and the pressure for your bills to be paid is insurmountable. You can't sleep because of it. Can you go to the pastor and preach his message back to him and get your bill paid? No? Why? What is he going to say? Put your faith to work? You did by giving, why won't he, now that you need? And there is the err that was initiated by fear the pastor or minister acted on.

What is your recourse? If you succumbed to a message laced in guilt or made you feel obligated or ashamed, ask God for forgiveness and repent. When the test comes again and that feeling isn't cheerful as God requires, speak the Word (2 Corinthians 9:7 KJV). There is no fear in God (1 John 4:18 KJV). Jesus already paid the price (Romans 6:23 AMP); you are not obligated to no man. You are to owe no man anything but to love him (Romans 13:8 AMP). Understand this doesn't mean you should pilfer or negate your responsibilities with giving your tithes and offering; that money is holy and is actually not yours (Leviticus 27:30 AMP). Just know that as you must walk by faith so does that man or woman of God teaching the message. Let them also believe to receive without burdening the people with fears that should have been cast over on the Lord (1 Peter 5:7 AMP).

That, being one example, because money seems to be a problem at times. Nevertheless, with any topic taught in church, you cannot put your trust in the one speaking. Yes, love him, pray for him, bless him, and by all means take notes so you can go and read the verses for yourself. There has been too many times where scripture was taken out of context, wording switched around to mean something else, or other folk tales are used instead of the Word (1 Timothy 4:7; Titus 1:14 AMP). When phrases used that sound familiar to a group of people, they are more than likely to respond. That is why song lyrics are a common favorite to some speakers. Though praise and worship is made for the Lord's delight be watchful when you hear lyrics to make a message rhema (2 Peter 3:17; 2 Timothy 4:3-5 AMP).

With that message of God taking care of your house because you took care of His, you must remember that those kinds of deals God doesn't make. He provided first. He loved us first. He tells us to draw nigh to Him because He doesn't bombard us. Why would He change that for a message that seems to sound good? God changes not; for He is good. Man still has to get there (Ephesians 4:13 AMP). Can you now see why we put all of our trust in Him? When we do this, there is no trust left for man and Peace rules and reigns for the righteous (Isaiah 26:3 AMP).