Oh, the platitudes that are given to those who work for Satan, even in the churches that are supposed to worship the Lord God. I can scarcely believe that a certain person was going to receive 10 million dollars for judging on the “X Factor!” $10,000,000.00 dollars for what? To entertain the masses that need Jesus Christ, for outrageously more than even what little food they have? Am I missing something here? Can you imagine for a moment what could be accomplished for the Lord with that amount of money?
Then I saw a few pictures on the Internet concerning a Houston, Texas pastor who believes the only way to have a fulfilling life is to use Jesus Christ…as an ATM machine! Yes, I have known for a while about this individual but it wasn’t until I saw the pictures that I decided to listen to a sermon by him. Of course, Youtube.com had quite an assortment to this man’s benefit.
While on the Internet I decided to look up some information on the Crystal Cathedral (bad idea). I read where one family was being driven around in limos, all to the view of the congregation, which according to the report said: “See…follow Jesus Christ and this is what you get!” Oh! The “prosperity gospel” is alive and in full swing and the congregation is thrilled at the sight! All I can say, I hope that all this is worth it to them! Standing before Jesus Christ will be a very sobering event for them! I shudder to think on that!
On one hand, I can see why the singer is going to earn so much money as a judge, but then, we already know that this individual displays anything but Jesus Christ in her life. As the Bible says in John 15.19:
“If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.”
Do you really think the world would be accepting of anyone that sings the gospel? To a degree, but not to the tune of ten million dollars! Do you think the hymn “The Old Rugged Cross” would ever go platinum? Do you think a gospel singer will ever be inducted into the “Whatever…Hall of Fame?”
Clear evidence is that the world hated Jesus Christ long before they ever hated us! Is there any doubt in your mind, why the prosperity gospel is at such a high level now days? The Bible has this to say:
1 Timothy 4.1, emphasis added:
“Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils.”
2Timothy 4.1-4, emphasis added:
“I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine.
For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.”
Now, those in the pulpit who continually preach this gospel of prosperity are fulfilling their desires and you can be sure it has nothing to do with Jesus Christ and everything to do with lining their pockets. Take a moment here and reread the verses above, please note: “seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils” and then note “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears.”
Oh! What was that? A noise, it sounded sort of like “cha-ching”! And here we have been talking about the things that stay here on this planet because they are physical things and that our “spirit” steps into eternity once we die as a human. And if we remember we have made this disparity because of the verses in:
Matthew 6.19-21, emphasis added:
“Lay NOT up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”
So here we are facing several different situations, the first with the new “X Factor” judge is an easy one, she doesn’t know Jesus Christ! So after the years wean away that beautiful exterior, what will be left? You can bet the money will be long gone! Then what? The young still have a chance though, as long as they remember, time is short! I can’t help but wonder, what if someone took the time and got her to listen to the soon coming events of this world, what would be her reaction?
The other two situations from above are far worse and need to be more deeply investigated. Nothing has gone on with these preachers that would be considered against the “laws” of this world. I must ask though, how about the “Laws” of God? If you read in Webster’s Dictionary about “speaking a name in vain” you might be surprised to know how desperately wicked this really is.
I’m not talking about cursing, but about “using the name of the Lord God Almighty to gain the trust of people and then alleviating them of needed funds, to perpetuate your chosen level of life! How blasphemous is that? Do you have any idea what the consequence will be for this type of heresy to Jesus Christ, who is GOD? It forces me to continually re-read those verses above and note them in my Life as I write.
Then we read about the “unforgivable sin.” Now we can almost hear ears popping open everywhere! We hate to read about that one for sure! And why is that?
“Well, we gotta make sure we don’t commit that sin!”
Ooh Lord!! Can you imagine the fallout from that one…MERCY!!” You would be surprised how common that sin is today! Let me explain. First you must understand that the “unpardonable sin” is to vex the Holy Spirit, but there’s a bit of a twist here that maybe you haven’t thought about, it’s about vexing the Holy Spirit in your life!
Remember, a relationship with Jesus Christ is your spirit to HIS Spirit. It’s personal, it’s private, just you and HIM! To vex the Holy Spirit is to tell the Holy Spirit, you want nothing to do with HIM! That’s bad enough and it will see you to hell for eternity! But what if you are a preacher in a church with a congregation believing everything you say?
It says in Hebrews 10.25-29, emphasis added:
“Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.
He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?”
This means you are like everyone else who turns away from the saving grace of Jesus Christ─hell for eternity! Kind of puts a different spin though on the power of the pulpit and those that stand there…preaching? Nothing on this planet or in this world matters MORE than accepting…wholeheartedly…Jesus Christ into your Life!
Stepping into the “limelight” of being a pastor is a very grave and serious idea! One needs to be sure your faith is completely of the Lord God and that HE has called you. This means that everything about you, your body, soul and spirit and your life are critically entwined with Jesus Christ! John the Baptist once said, “He must increase and I must decrease”! Your life is no longer your own and therefore your life must be “hidden” completely so that all that is ever seen is Jesus Christ!
Between you and me, this lends a whole new meaning to becoming “humbled” by the Lord. If you think about this and see a life of giving continually without concern for yourself, then you will have come close to that spot. If this seems too difficult for you, remember your strength is not yours; it comes from the Lord.
Everything that comes before you, no matter what it is, is from above! For me it feels like a job that requires armor that never fails, strength that never weakens, faith that is stronger than diamonds and an open mind and spirit for Jesus Christ and nothing else! Giving up your life to Jesus Christ, because HE gave up HIS life for you…first!!