Monday, September 12, 2011

Greedy Dogs

Thus saith the LORD concerning the prophets that make my people err, that bite with their teeth, and cry, Peace; and he that putteth not into their mouths, they even prepare war against him. Therefore night shall be unto you, that ye shall not have a vision; and it shall be dark unto you, that ye shall not divine; and the sun shall go down over the prophets, and the day shall be dark over them. Then shall the seers be ashamed, and the diviners confounded: yea, they shall all cover their lips; for there is no answer of God.
Micah 3:5-7

I read some great words today in morning devotions, "Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need"  (Hebrews 4:16).  Also notice this great promise! "He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things"(Romans 8:32)?  Now take a moment and let these two promises set in.  If I have a need, I can boldly go before God's throne of grace personally!  Why?  Because Jesus Christ, my High Priest, is at the right hand of the Father making intercession through the atoning blood that purchases for me all things that pertain to life and holiness.  Next, it states that I am so loved of God that He sent the Choicest Jewel of Heaven to make a way of free access in the time of need and that he will FREELY GIVE ALL THINGS!

Isaiah prophesied greatly against blind and ignorant "watchmen" who could not even bark to sound an alarm of warning against impending judgment.  He went on to say that theses shepherds without understanding were only concerned about their own needs.  All their ministry was for personal gain! Here was the crux of their message, "Come ye, say they, I will fetch wine, and we will fill ourselves with strong drink; and to morrow shall be as this day, and much more abundant" (Isaiah 56:12).  Did you catch it?  Their message is one of plenty, prosperity, and abundance while they ignore the truth of sin and impending justice.  Notice also that they too were encouraging sin--let us get drunk?  



Always strive for holiness with the help of God.  It is very important that you understand grace and justice are both attributes of God!  Grace made skins for Adam and Eve, but justice placed a Cherub at the entrance to Eden.  Grace covered Jacob for deceiving his father, but justice allowed the deception from his father-in-law over his wives.  Grace covered Moses at Meribah when he struck the rock rather than speak to it, but justice made him to view the promised land from the summit of Mt. Nebo.  Grace covered the murder and adultery of David, but justice allowed the death of that child of Bathsheba and the death of Absalom (not to mention the other calamities David suffered).  Thank God for grace!  Again, let me say thank God for great grace! He always forgives our sin when we call to Him.  However, be warned!  God's justice does not always forgive the consequences of that sin here on earth.  Consider Galatians 6:7, "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap."

The sin of this nation continues to rise before God as an awful stench.  At a time when holy men of God should be crying out to the people with a grief stricken heart like Micah and Isaiah, most are sharing messages of comfort, ease, abundance, and rest.  Others are greedy dogs only concerned with their own needs while fleecing God's children and exacting a fee where there should be no fee. It is a fact that God's children need to give and grow in stewardship!  Believers will not grow in Christ to maturity without obedience in this area.  However, God forbids that men should attach the answer to prayer with a monetary price tag.  God FREELY answers prayer because of the atoning work of Christ!  Answered prayer is also a grace thing!!!  I have access and answer because the Priest after the order of Melchizedek is at the Father's right hand.  He has said to come boldly to the throne of GRACE that we may obtain in the time of need.



Micah was a contemporary of Isaiah.  He too saw the greedy wolves fleecing God's children, and like Isaiah, he warned that the justice they heap upon themselves would be great.  He promised that they would get no answers from God!  Scary!!  They were willing to bless with abundance as long as their mouths were filled by the one seeking God. They called for war on those who did not have an offering to give them.  They bit God's flock and caused His children to err.  Woe to the prophets of abundance who extort God's children for a bribe when the answers they need were paid by a very expensive bloody cross.  Your heavens will be as brass and the earth beneath as iron. 

What brought this on? My wife stumbled across a site where she was going to post a request for a friend.  Here is what she received when she did not attach an offering. (By the way, there was no mention of the need of prayer for salvation on this site.  Here were the request choices.  Did you notice that the majority were temporal needs and not eternal needs?) 

General, Health, Finance, Relationships, Well Being, Faith  

"Please select the amount you would like to offer for your request.  I’m sorry, but we cannot post your request without an offering.  There are too many in need of powerful prayer at this time, so we only broadcast requests that have sown a seed offering. He who gives of himself receives all which is asked." 

"Give, and it will be given to you. For with the measure you give, it will be measured to you in God's gifts." (Luke 6:38) 

The Bible tells us repeatedly that the most important way to have our prayers answered is to have faith, and give with overwhelming generosity.
 

Give when times are tough, give when it does not seem that giving is possible, and God will reward your faith with His generosity in answering your important prayers quickly.
 

100% of your offering goes to support the _______________, enabling us to broadcast.  

Later, she received this very encouraging e-mail:

 "For the son of man shall come in the glory of his father with his angels; and then shall he reward every man according to his works." Matthew 16:27 

Ask for a financial windfall.

Prayers are designed for humans on Earth to ask for riches, fortunes, and rewards above. These riches can come in the form of money, better paying jobs, better health, and happier relationships.

According to a recent study, the main reason why some Christians have not achieved their financial goals is simply because they have never asked.

Use the massive power of the ______________ to post an urgent prayers request today.

After you post your prayer, our community of thousands will begin to pray for you.

Pray for your finances"

Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness.
Isaiah 55:1-2

News that calls for prayer that is free!

1 comment:

  1. People have become callous and uncaring, I wonder when Germany was exterminating people if the people were that uncaring. But then when you stop and remember that they could smell the stench from the ovens where people were being burned. Some I am sure some people were afraid to come forth, but others ignored what was going on. Like today with the abortion clinics they just turn away and become callous and uncaring, justifying the atrocity abortion.

    ReplyDelete