Blessed be the tie that binds us together in fellowship and love,
Last Sunday my weekly message was,
DON’T TAKE THE BAIT.
The more that I have thought about this the more relevant it has become in my own mind. I mentioned that our first family literally took the bait and that is exactly what is taking place in our world today. In the Amplified Bible, the brother of Jesus warns us of this danger:
Amplified Bible
14 But each one is tempted when he is dragged away, Enticed and Baited [to commit sin] by his own [worldly] desire (lust, passion).
15 Then when the illicit desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin has run its course, it gives birth to death. 16 Do not be misled, my beloved brothers and sisters.
Pope Francis said, “Being homosexual is not a crime. It’s not a crime. Yes, it’s a sin. Well, yes, but let’s make the distinction first between sin and crime." From my perspective it is a downplay of words and I would go so far as to call this iniquity.
This word iniquity is derived from the word, “Awon, often translated as iniquity,” a synonym for sin, “relates more to the inner character and points to an intentional twisting of a given standard.”
We are living in an hour when there is daily twisting of the given standards, which God has set for us.
Have you ever noticed that sin will tell on you? Have you noticed that sin is a gossip?
Sin always has a way of telling on us.
The story of King Saul in 1 Samuel 15 tells us of how Saul got in trouble because he did not carry out what he had been given grace to do. Let’s visit his 4 great mistakes:
The King disobeyed God.
The King lived in a state of denial.
The King walked in pride (when you were small in your own eyes, you were made the head).
The King was self-righteous.
I have a question for you today; have you ever noticed that King Saul only felt the Presence of God when he was in the presence of a man of God? It is a good question to ask, “Do we ever feel the presence of God when we are alone?” Ultimately the King resorted to do something other than God’s prescribed method to hear from heaven. Listen to God’s edict in this matter:
1 Samuel 15:22-24 KJV
22 And Samuel said, Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.
23 For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the Lord, he hath also rejected thee from being king.
24 And Saul said unto Samuel, I have sinned: for I have transgressed the commandment of the Lord, and thy words: because I feared the people, and obeyed their voice.
Notice with me that God blamed the people for his disappointing fall from grace.
THIS WEEK IS THE BEGINNING OF TWO GREAT MID-WINTER WEEKS OF MEETINGS. JOIN US FOR CHALLENGE AND CHANGE.
Thanks once again for your wonderful friendship and support of all we do as a church family. Please Pray for Gary, who is in strategic prayer meetings in Dubai. Also, pray for safety and protection for our team on their way to Guatemala. We are, “As One”, as they go represent us in the fields of mission.
Your loving pastor,
Cleddie Keith