Ever seen the show "Hoarders" ( actually Filthy Fortunes)? I call it Hoarders.......Someone comes in to help the landowner to clear out lots of "Stuff" and in some cases like the last show a week ago, someone made a million dollars from a antique toy car and truck collection the landowner had collected. Now there are special oil paintings, special cars, jewels, baseball cards, and many other things considered worth by man. Now the cleaner splits amount of money with owner of said property.
Some articles in paper speak of hoarders dying by their collection of too many newspapers stacked up in their house. What does keeping newspapers do for you when they are stacked to the ceiling? A robot still in a package from the 1960's brought a stunning amount. Did I say the robot had never been played with ever. ( Think it was from "Lost in Space" with June Lockheart)
Today people will purchase automobiles to fill their garages, their driveway and street. People collect golf balls, baseball paraphernalia, PacMan, Pickachu from the Pokemon media franchise, a mouse representing a a land of amusement, vinyl for playing on a record player, and shoes. Who was it back in the 1990's ....Imelda Marcos who had ninety pair of shoes. Yikes! Remember her to be one of significant political power. How does one wear so many shoes????
But what if we stopped thinking about things of the earth and think of that which is the kingdom of God? Spiritual enlightenment will lead the way in Jesus and to that which is coming!
Acts 8:5 Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them. 6 And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. 7 For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed. 8 And there was great joy in that city. 9 But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one. 10 To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God. 11 And to him they had regard, because that of long time he had bewitched them with sorceries. 12 But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. 13 Then Simon himself believed also, and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done. 14 Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: 15 Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: 16 ( For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus). 17 Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost. 18 And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostle's hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money. 19 Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost. 20 But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast though tat the gift of God may be purchased with money. 21 Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for they heart is not right in the sight of God. 22 Repent therefore of this they wickedness and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee. 23 For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity.
Many people see their way in life with things: one more car, one more outfit, one more vacation a year, one more cruise this summer, and one more thing to satisfy me, myself and I. But contention can begin when money is involved. And certainly Simon exposed his thinking in that he wanted power as the Apostle's had. Instead of being the thankful that men with hearts toward God had shown up to show the way to Jesus. He had held people in that of sorcerie and seeing people healed, he wanted more of what the apostles had. Bitterness has deep roots. It is found in the rich and the poor when one of them views they are slighted in any way, in any shape or form. Is that not happening today? Are people being slighted but never thankful for what they have been given? They forget the money, food or things given them and they want more and more.
Righteousness is maintained by the Holy Spirit…Romans 8:5-11 for those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, they things of the Spirit. 6 For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, not indeed can be.
Romans 8:8 So then, those who are in the flesh
cannot please God; for it is not subject to the law of God, not indeed can be.
8 So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God. 9
But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God
dwells in you. Now if anyone does not
have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His. 10 and if Christ is in you, the body
is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11 But
if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who
raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through
His Spirit who dwells in you.
1. Winning
God’s smile: taking the guilty step as sinner’s place and receive Christ by
definite act of faith
2. The
fish lives in water, the man lives in the atmosphere of air and the believer
lives by Holy Spirit.
3. Also
Holy Spirit lives in the believer.
Righteousness is central characteristic: is from
the kingdom of God, Ro. 14:17 for the
kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy
in the Holy Spirit……….& then Psalm 89:13-15 NKJV 13 You have a mighty arm; Strong is Your hand
and high is Your right hand 14 Righteous
and justice are the foundation of Your throne; Mercy and truth go before Your
face. 15 Blessed are the people who know the joyful sound!
Acts 24:25 & Matt.6:33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall
be added to you.
The “fruit” of righteousness is continually being borne through the
moment by moment commitment to Jesus and the Word…all that concerns Jesus &
the Good News…as in Matthew 5:20 For I
say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the
scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Romans
7:4 Therefore, my brethren, you also have become dead to the law through the
body of Christ, that you may be married to another----to Him who was raised
from the dead, that we should bear fruit to God. We do
not obey in our strength! See also: John 15:1-17; 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1; 1 Peter
1:13-16; 1 John 1:9
You may own a lot of "things". Your closet may be filled and your garage full with all the toys of driving, swimming, jet skis and riding lawnmowers. Still it is the heart God looks upon. It is a heart after God He seeks and fill up on His Word for His kingdom to come. Amen.
Teaching at: Voice of Prayer
Uphill with Jesus Christ: The Witness that Glorifies God
Deceit and Deception
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