“I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me. ’ ” MATTHEW 7:23
Imagine prophesying in the name of Jesus, casting out demons in His name, and doing many other wonders as you invoked His powerful name—and Jesus not being pleased! We see in Jesus’ words that eternal life is not dependent on whether you know Christ, but on whether He knows you. If He has a relationship with you, then He has taken up residence in your life and you are filled with His Spirit. Your life reflects His holiness. When He speaks, you hear—and you respond to His will. Obedience, not activity, is the sign of a genuine and saving relationship with Jesus Christ. Does Jesus know you? Do you truly belong to Him? Ask Him to help you see your life as He sees it, to discern whether you are relying on His Spirit, hearing His voice, responding to His will, and obeying His commands. If there is anything in your life you must be certain of, it is that you are in an intimate, saving, personal relationship with Christ. - Blackaby Being Still With God
“So likewise you, when you have done all those things which you are commanded, say, ‘ We are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do.’” Luke 17:10
The servant carries out the master's will. The servant doesn’t tell the master what to do. The servant does not choose which tasks to perform for the master, nor does the servant suggest days or times when it would be convenient to serve the master. The servant's function is to follow instructions. The master, on the other hand, gives directions. The master does not tell the servant to develop a vision that will guide the master. The master is the one with the vision; the servant's task is to help fulfill the master's purposes. We are the servants; God is the Master. We tend to try to reverse this! God's revelation of Himself, His purposes, and His ways depends directly upon our obedience. He may not reveal today His intentions for the next five years, but He will tell us what our next step should be. As we respond to God's revelation, He will accomplish what He desires, and He will be the One who receives the glory. Our fulfillment comes from serving our Master. The world will encourage you to strive for positions of authority and power. God wants you to take the role of a servant. As God's servant you should have no other agenda than to be obedient to whatever He tells you. God does not need you to dream great dreams for your life, your family, your business, or your church. He simply asks for obedience. He has plans that would dwarf yours in comparison (Eph. 3:20). - Blackaby Experiencing God Day by Day
Great surprise is going to greet many who have thought they were saved and were not. Great shame is probably going to greet many who are saved yet when their lives are reviewed they see that their works are totally burned up.
We should always be looking for what it is that God wants of us and then to obey in it.
We shouldn't be crafting visions for His Church and for our lives, the lives of our children.
Many a fallen preacher has done this, thinking they are offering service to God. It happened with the Pharisees and Sadducees, it has happened in the Church as well.
Many people want to think that after they are saved that health, wealth and prosperity will follow. That at their mere call, that God is going to drop everything to be their Butler.
As I was reviewing what Facebook calls my memories of a year ago, a very poignant truth was seen again. It was God's will for Jesus to die. Was God's will for Peter to be in prison. Was God's will for Stephen to be stoned. Was God's will for John to be sentenced to death, twice, and the second was banishment to the island of Patmos. It was God's will that James be beheaded. For the same with John the Baptist. Where would we get the idea that living for Jesus we somehow are supposed to have a life of ease?
If where you may attend Church only teaches about the things that make you feel all warm and fuzzy, and nothing about the consequences of sin, you need to get out fast.
Remember the words that JESUS said. Many will stand before Him claiming great things done in His Name. Now what was His response? What was His reaction? Depart from Me, for I never knew you.
Are you in a personal relationship with Jesus or is your thought that He is at your beck and call? Do you avoid the work of the cross because you want only the pleasures of this world? Do you at all invest in the real work of the Church?
You cannot have it both ways.
Open your eyes. If health, wealth and prosperity have been your mindset and motivation, you have been deceived by Satan.
Jesus told us plainly that if the world hated Him they would hate us too. For we represent Him. He told us plainly that those who choose to come to Christ would suffer. Satan is NOT going to let you go unscathed after you come to Christ. He wants to shut you up! He wants you to stop sharing the truth of God. He does this not by way of all the gruesome things you might think, although in many corners of the world he does. But rather by way of complacency. By way of providing you with pleasurable experiences. By way of ropes of silk.
How much of your life is spent in your Bible?
How much of your day is spent in prayer?
How much of your will is present in your life and how much are you obeying your Savior?
Are you only out for number one? Are you going to be ashamed at your life when you stand before Christ? Are you even really known by Him?
Life isn't for us to live on us after we come to Christ. Jesus calls us all to serve AND to obey the Head of the Church...which is NOT your local Pastor, NOT the Elders, NOT the Deacons. Jesus is the Head. Jesus set the example by TELLING us to be about the Father's business. Find where GOD is working and to JOIN Him. Not jump in to tell Him how it can be done better with a 5 year Plan.
Jesus said to be the greatest you must be servant of all. How is your serving these days?
How is your attitude towards God really these days?
How is your obedience these days?
It's time now to really be real with yourself and God.
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