by Terry Laughlin | Apr 30, 2016 | Christian Living Truth's
This always begins by agreeing with God on the major problems that arise through coveting. 2 Timothy 3:2 says, “For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy…” Holy Spirit illuminated Christians make a point to grasp the problems which arise from a coveting heart.
Covetousness has always been a very serious menace to mankind. It was one of the first sins that broke out after Israel had entered the Promise Land. (Achan, Joshua 7) It is found in the early Christian Church as well. (Ananias and Sapphira, Acts 5) Thus there are many warnings against this life controlling sin. This sin is so powerful and abundant in the heart of mankind, it is addressed in the Ten Commandments. Exodus 20:17, “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.”
“Covet” (hamad) means to take pleasure in, to desire passionately. This sin causes people to desire that which is destructive. “Covetous” (philarguros) meaning people will want more and more, bigger and bigger, better and better and they will seldom be satisfied with what they have.
Walter B. Knight powerfully presents the destructiveness of the sin of covetousness, he writes, “Covetousness is a disease of the soul. It is soul-shriveling, character-tarnishing and personality-dwarfing. This sin tightens its grasp upon it victims as they grow older. It allows men to breath, but they never truly live. It’s victims may receive, but never give with a right motive. It’s victims become creation’s blot, creation’s blank.” (Knight’s Treasury)
Jesus said this sin comes from the spiritual heart. (Mark7:22-23) The Bible says it engrosses the heart. (Ezekiel 33:31; 2 Peter 2:14) This sin is idolatry. (Ephesians 5:5; Colossians 3:5) Covetousness leads to injustice and oppression; (Proverbs 28:20) foolishness and hurtful lust; (1 Timothy 6:9) departure from the faith; (1 Timothy 6:10) intrigues people to lie; (2 Kings 5:22-25) commit murder; (Ezekiel 22:12) theft and domestic affliction. (Proverbs 15:7) Christians are to avoid those who are guilty of coveting and even pray against it, not wanting it within their own hearts. (1 Corinthians 5:11; Psalm 119:36) Learning contentment begins with fearing covetousness!
by Terry Laughlin | Apr 30, 2016 | Christian Living Truth's
Contentment has a based foundation of gratefulness to God. Ecclesiastes 5:18-20 says, “Then I realized that it is good and proper for a man to eat and drink, and to find satisfaction in his toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given him–for this is his lot. Moreover, when God gives any man wealth and possessions, and enables him to enjoy them, to accept his lot and be happy in his work–this is a gift of God. He seldom reflects on the days of his life, because God keeps him occupied with gladness of heart.”
Today, many Christians are involved in what can be referred to as huge building projects that have no value of which a modern day Solomon would cite as being only frustration. Although the highwayman traditionally demanded, “Your money or your life,” the teacher of this passage of Scripture says we can have money, pleasure, and life in Christ.
When mankind works in his own strength for his own satisfaction he lays up for himself earthly and spiritual misery. This is what causes lethargy in approaching our work, family, life in general and especially the work of the Lord. An un-Biblical approach to whatever mankind chooses to do sooner or later births forth an inward bitterness.
Christians who are emotionally and spiritually mature are able to admire without feeling the need to acquire. They are not waiting for more money, better jobs, more time off, or better opportunities. They are serving the Lord now with what they have.
All this is accomplished simply by seeing every opportunity you have, every good thing you have, every gift and talent you have as coming from the Lord. All things and opportunities must be prayerfully approached with the understanding that unless the Lord gives what we need, opens doors and provides enablement, there is no contentment.
When Christians accept their identity, their position in life, and their work with joyfulness, they do not spend their days reflecting on what could have been. They are occupied with a gladness of heart and everything they do reflects gratefulness to the Lord, their Redeemer.
Be Grateful to the Lord!
by Terry Laughlin | Apr 30, 2016 | Christian Living Truth's
Acts 10-11 record the results of one of the most mature ministries found in the New Testament. In this Holy Spirit inspired account we see two men who have hearts ready to receive divine revelation, obey the Lord’s instructions and enjoy the benefits of surrendered prayer. Cornelius was a man who “prayed to God regularly.” (Acts 10:2) Peter was a mere man who is known among born again Bible scholars as being very spiritually mature, a spiritual leader, but one who still needed to be a man of prayer. Acts 10 records the revelation of taking the Gospel to Cornelius’ household through the Apostle Peter. It was through Cornelius’ and Peter’s surrendered hearts in prayer that God revealed His will in taking the Gospel to the Gentiles. Peter and Cornelius had the heart of Daniel who knew the joy of prayer. (Daniel 6:10,13) Christians who enjoy revelation from the Lord have the heart of the psalmist who wrote, “Evening, morning and noon I cry out in distress, and He hears my voice.” (Psalm 55:17) Holy Spirit illuminated Christians live a life that says, “I will listen to what the Lord will say.” (Psalm 85:8a)
The great prayer warrior George Muller said, “The most important part of prayer was the first fifteen minutes after I said ‘Amen.’” Walter B. Knight wrote, “Prayer is not a monologue, it is dialogue – our talking to God and God talking to us.”
Pastor O. C. Lunholm told of a lesson he learned from a scientist. They were on a loud, busy, crowded street corner when suddenly the scientist said, “Do you hear that?” “No” said the pastor. The scientist said, “I hear a cricket.” They walked over next to the building, and the scientist overturned a small rock. Sure enough, there was a cricket. The pastor said, “How did you hear it, above all this noise?” The scientist said, “Let me show you something.” They both walked to the middle of the side walk and the scientist took a quarter and tossed up into the air. When the quarter hit the sidewalk, it made almost inaudible noise compared to the sound of the traffic. Nevertheless, people stopped and started looking for the quarter that landed on the sidewalk. The scientist said, “People will train their ears to hear what they want to hear and they will use their eyes to see what they want to see.” (Knight’s Book of 2,000 Illustrations) Let prayer bring you revelation!
by Terry Laughlin | Apr 30, 2016 | Christian Living Truth's
Holy Spirit led ministries have accountability that can be substantiated. Acts 11:4 says, “ Acts 11:12b says, “…these six brothers also went with me…”
Acts 11:2 gives the heart attitude of those overcome with the cancer of legalism and traditionalism, “So when Peter went to Jerusalem, the circumcised believers criticized him.” Just as Peter was called to break traditional ministry, ministries on the cutting edge face criticism from church attendees who have not taken the time to gain Biblical understanding.
I love the way the New American Standard Bible puts it, “But Peter… proceeded to explain to them in orderly sequence…” Peter gave a full and fair accountability without argument or apology. Holy Spirit illuminated Christians have such a conviction and understanding of their revelation from God that they have no problem presenting and substantiating their ministry to those who may criticize their work. They are able to do so because they are devout, God-fearing people who have a respect for the ministry of Jesus Christ. They are able to tell you how revelation came to them as they prayerfully sought the Lord and took time to listen to His instructions. Their ministry is birthed from the whole counsel of God’s Word, thus their revelation can be explained and supported from the Word of God, because the Bible is the sword of the Holy Spirit. They have such an illumination of their calling they are able to pray through to completion that which God calls them to do. They are able to test their work by the Word of God, they are able to share how God used them and they are able to substantiate their ministry. Acts 11:12 tells us that there were six men who could bear witness to the work God had done in Cornelius’s home.
When Christians are exposed to ministries of Biblical accountability, they are to die to their own opinions, throw off spiritual traditionalism, legalism, and denominationalism, and rejoice in what God is doing. Acts 11:18 says, “When they heard [Peter’s full accounting], they had no further objections, and praised God…” Connect with mature ministry!
by Terry Laughlin | Apr 30, 2016 | Christian Living Truth's
There are many well meaning Christians who will say that they are Holy Spirit led, yet what they think and say is only a product of human reasoning and opinion. Jesus knew this was a problem, He even rebuked Peter. Matthew 16:23 says, “Jesus turned and said to Peter, ‘Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.’” Every anointed ministry has had to deal with the opinion of man. Sadly, this occurs even in the church, especially when having to deal with leadership, spiritual or governmental.
This rebuke from the Lord was an act of true love which prepared Peter’s heart to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit. Acts 10-11 record the maturity of Peter’s heart. The great news is Peter learned something from the Lord’s rebuke and enjoyed sensitivity to the Holy Spirit. Acts 10:19-20 says, “While Peter was still thinking about the vision, the Spirit said to him,..” Peter was not spoken to by an angel nor was it in a vision, but the speaking of the Holy Spirit. Peter enjoyed what was taught by Jesus about the Holy Spirit. In John 16, our Lord said, “But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on His own; He will speak only what He hears, and He will tell you what is yet to come. He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you.” (John 16:13-14) Peter received a “word of knowledge” (1 Corinthians 12:28) on what to do. Please note that the Holy Spirit had this Word for Peter after he spent time in heart seeking, surrendered prayer.
Christians who have the same illumination as Peter have full revelation of Psalm 32:8, “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you.” To be led of the Holy Spirit, a child of God must be willing to set aside dependence on self and natural wisdom when led of God to do so. It is important to note that the Holy Spirit can use our natural wisdom as long as we are willing to “Live by the Spirit and walk in step with the Holy Spirit.” (Galatians 5:25)
The Holy Spirit led Jesus into the dessert. (Luke 4:1) Simeon was led of the Holy Spirit to be in the temple to meet baby Jesus (Luke 2:27) The Bible says those who are “…led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.” (Romans 8:14) Being led of the Holy Spirit is a sign of Christian maturity. Be led of the Holy Spirit!
by Terry Laughlin | Apr 30, 2016 | Christian Living Truth's
The counsel of God’s Word records the lives and work of devout, God fearing men. These men received revelation from God, had a personal relationship with Christ and walked in step with the Holy Spirit. One such man was “Cornelius, a centurion… He and his family were devout and God-fearing…” (Acts 10:1-2)
“Devout” (eusebes), means to be respectful to God and things regarding worship unto Him. Devout people are dutiful in their efforts to seek God and know His will for them. “God-fearing” (phobeo) means to have a reverential obedience toward God. In the New Testament the term “God-fearing” had become what we would call a technical term for Gentiles who became frustrated with their gods and the result of the immorality of mankind. They attended some kind of meetings or had some kind of influence that enabled them to seek God. In Cornelius’s case, he had enough revelation to become a man of prayer and have a heart for the needy. (Acts 10:2)
The Lord will give devout, God-fearing Christians that which they seek, and fill their spiritual hearts with divine revelation which satisfies the spiritual heart and soul. Today, devoted God-fearing people seek the Lord through the whole counsel of God’s Word. Just as the Lord called Peter to take a Word to Cornelius’ home, (Acts 10:22b) the Lord has given the Holy Spirit gift of “prophesying” (Romans 12:6) to the church, so that people may be informed of the will of God through the expounding of Scripture for making known the will of God.
The Pittsburg Christian Advocate covered the story of Dr. Alexander Maclaren, a devout, God-fearing man who was recognized as being one of the clearest expositors of the Word of God in his day. They wrote, “How Dr. Maclaren became such a Bible scholar is worthy of note. …[he] had one ministry habit that was never broken, ‘one hour alone with God every day.’ Dr. Maclaren would sit in his well-warn armchair with his Bible on his knees. He would not read to get a teaching text, nor read as a student, but as child would read a letter from [his] Father; [with] a loving heart drinking in every Word.” Are you a devout and God-fearing Christian?
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