BE AWARE OF THE SNARE
Ecclesiastes 12:9 And moreover, because the preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge; yea, he gave good heed, and sought out, [and] set in order many proverbs.
PROV 23:12- 23
Proverbs 23:17- 18 Let not thine heart envy sinners: but [be thou] in the fear of the LORD all the day long. For surely there is an end; and thine expectation shall not be cut off.
The Lord really quickened these verses to me: THE GREATEST SNARE A CHRISTIAN MUST AVOID IS: ===> "The envy of Sinnners"
====> With a premise: surely there is an end!
Revelation 22:16- 20 I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, [and] the bright and morning star. And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and [from] the things which are written in this book. He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.
THERE IS NO DOUBT ====> JESUS IS COMING! - - - > for his church!
======> THE MESSAGE OF HIS COMING IS TO HIS CHURCH! <=======
AUPC => As Pastor/Shepherd I remind you => JESUS IS COMING!
II Peter 3:13- 15 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless. And account [that] the longsuffering of our Lord [is] salvation;...
"IF YOU DON'T KNOW WHERE YOUR GOING, ANY ROAD WILL TAKE YOU THERE"
====> we will not stumble into heaven! YOU MUST LOOK!!!
====> and while your looking, you will see other things! <====
You will see things that will fascinate & intrigue you. BE CAREFUL!
Philippians 3:12- 14 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but [this] one thing [I do], forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
TWO EXERCISES OF CHRISTIANITY : FORGETTING & REACHING!
THIS REQUIRES 2 DISCIPLINES: Getting your eyes OFF some things
Getting your eyes ON some others
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We come to church and feel God, hear preaching ===> DO GOOD!
We go to work = see sinners with new cars & IRA's ===> DO BAD?
I'VE GOT A VERSE FOR YOU!
Proverbs 23:17 Let not thine heart envy sinners: but [be thou] in the fear of the LORD all the day long.
You say I can't help it! YES YOU CAN!
Earthquakes, Tornados, & Floods & Depressions are things I can't help...
====> BUT I CAN HELP (control) MY HEART!!
BUT HOW CAN I DEAL WITH THE WORLD FLAUNTING IT GOODS & SINS AT ME?
Same way Asaph did...
Psalms 73:1 {A Psalm of Asaph.} Truly God [is] good to Israel, [even] to such as are of a clean heart.
HE DID WHAT MANY OF US DO (SECRETLY) TODAY:
Outside we are saying the right words... fluffy goodness!
====> OH THE CHURCH IS DOING GREAT! GOD'S GOOD! PRAISE HIM NOW!
But inside.... Were an emotional mess!
Psalms 73:2 But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped. WHAT'S WRONG BROTHER?
How much time you got?
Psalms 73:3 For I was envious at the foolish, [when] I saw the prosperity of the wicked. ( HE FELL INTO THE GREATEST SNARE )
ENVIOUS = "Resentful, aware of another's advantage"
Psalms 73:4 For [there are] no bands in their death: but their strength [is] firm.
JUSTIFY THAT STATEMENT ASAPH!
Band = "Chartsubbah" = fetter, or fig.= pain
There is no pain in there death? ARE YOU KIDDING?
Psalms 73:5- 7 They [are] not in trouble [as other] men; neither are they plagued like [other] men. Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them [as] a garment. Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish.
SOUNDS LIKE A KID THROWING A TANTRUM! WHINING?
THESE STATEMENTS ARE NOT TRUE! UNSUBSTANTIATED! Asaph knew it...
Psalms 73:8- 10 They are corrupt, and speak wickedly [concerning] oppression: they speak loftily. They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth. Therefore his people return hither: and waters of a full [cup] are wrung out to them.
THESE FEELINGS WERE INCORRECT! >next verse... what's really bothering him.
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Psalms 73:11- 12 And they say, How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the most High? Behold, these [are] the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase [in] riches.
He had put his confidence in the Lord & it seemed like it wasn't working. He couldn't take the razing!
Asaph, are you no more of a man than to get upset over being razed? PERHAPS THERE'S SOMETHING DEEPER?
Psalms 73:13 Verily I have cleansed my heart [in] vain, and washed my hands in innocency. I WASTED MY TIME!
Brother Asaph, what has got into you?
Psalms 73:14- 15 For all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning. (SPIRITUAL WARFARE) If I say, I will speak thus; behold, I should offend [against] the generation of thy children.
(GETTING ALONG WITH THE BODY)
I'M TIRED OF IT ALL! Underneath I'm loosing my love for God!
Psalms 73:16 When I thought to know this, it [was] too painful for me; ( THIS SNARE IS NO FUN! IT IS SERIOUS! )
=====> Asaph was experiencing the inner pain of someone who get's there eyes on this world, and looses sight of the prize!
YOU WILL ALWAYS END UP HURTING!
YES, THAT'S IT... END UP! That is the issue of it all, HOW I'LL END UP!
Proverbs 23:17 Let not thine heart envy sinners: but [be thou] in the fear of the LORD all the day long. A GREAT WARNING! =====> saves countless suffering!
Answer: Keep your heart in the respect of the Lord all day, everyday!
Isaiah 26:3- 8 Thou wilt keep [him] in perfect peace, [whose] mind [is] stayed [on thee]: because he trusteth in thee. Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD Jehovah [is] everlasting strength: For he bringeth down them that dwell on high; the lofty city, he layeth it low; he layeth it low, [even] to the ground; he bringeth it [even] to the dust. The foot shall tread it down, [even] the feet of the poor, [and] the steps of the needy. The way of the just [is] uprightness: thou, most upright, dost weigh the path of the just. Yea, in the way of thy judgments, O LORD, have we waited for thee; the desire of [our] soul [is] to thy name, and to the remembrance of thee.
Sometimes if we are not careful, MANY OF THE SPIRITUAL HURDLES WE MUST JUMP OCCURRED BECAUSE OF LACK OF TRUST IN GOD!
***** We must look to & trust him => more then any! IF THERE IS ANYBODY or ANYTHING THAT COULD OFFEND YOU OR DISAPPOINT YOU TO THE DEGREE OF FALLING AWAY FROM GOD ====> Your in trouble.
Sometimes we make God's out of each other, and wonder why there is so much anemia & pressure! ( THIS CHURCH IS NOT GOD! )
HE HAS NEVER FAILED ME!!! (people have) I have shaken my head.
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====> IT IS NOT WHAT HE HAS GIVEN ME!
====> IT IS HE HIMSELF THAT IS MY COMFORT!
I Timothy 6:17 Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;
Hebrews 13:5 [Let your] conversation [be] without covetousness; [and be] content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. (Nothing wrong with improving) => but calm down!
=====> STORY OF CHARLES BLAIR - carrying Gov't milk home as kid
II Timothy 4:10 For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world,
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
WHAT'S THE ANSWER?
Psalms 73:16- 17 When I thought to know this, it [was] too painful for me; Until I went into the sanctuary of God; [then] understood I their end.
THERE IS SOMETHING IRREPLACEABLE ABOUT COMING TO CHURCH!
Psalms 73:18- 20 Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou castedst them down into destruction. How are they [brought] into desolation, as in a moment! they are utterly consumed with terrors. As a dream when [one] awaketh; [so], O Lord, when thou awakest, thou shalt despise their image.
THIS DOESN'T SOUND LIKE THE FOOLISH THINGS HE WAS SAYING BEFORE?
Because his word is a lamp unto my feet!
Psalms 73:21 Thus my heart was grieved, and I was pricked in my reins. So foolish [was] I, and ignorant: I was [as] a beast before thee.
THE LIGHTS COMING ON!
Psalms 73:23 Nevertheless I [am] continually with thee: thou hast holden [me] by my right hand. Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me [to] glory. Whom have I in heaven [but thee]? and [there is] none upon earth [that] I desire beside thee. My flesh and my heart faileth: [but] God [is] the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever. For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee. But [it is] good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all thy works. HE'S BACK!
BE AWARE OF THE SNARE!
Psalms 37:1- 3 { [A Psalm] of David.} Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity. For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb. Trust in the LORD, and do good; [so] shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.
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Psalms 112:1 Praise ye the LORD. Blessed [is] the man [that] feareth the LORD, [that] delighteth greatly in his commandments.
Proverbs 3:31 Envy thou not the oppressor, and choose none of his ways.
Proverbs 15:16 Better [is] little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith.
Proverbs 28:14 Happy [is] the man that feareth alway: but he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief.
AUPC 10-22-92 THURSDAY
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