FALSE GOSPEL

- If you know the Bible so well; Jehovah Witnesses know THEIR Bible so well.
- If you preach so much about God's love; Jehovah Witnesses propagate 'God's love' so well (to the point of deception).
- If you preach about faith, God's plans, purpose and prosperity; Jehovah Witnesses do loads of that.
- If you don't preach about Heaven, Hell, Rapture, Eternity, Holiness; Jehovah Witnesses DO NOT BELIEVE and DO NOT PREACH Heaven, Hell and Rapture. Even when they mention these they deny their realities.

So, what difference does the gospel you preach have from the gospel Jehovah Witnesses preach? Therefore, you are Jehovah Witnesses PART 2.

A false teacher is not necessarily one who preaches that there is no Heaven or Hell; a false teacher is one who can preach the whole Bible BUT;
1) Deliberately refuses to mention Heaven or hell
2) Make light of them as if they do not really matter and like other things (money, houses, etc which are but temporal things) matter more than eternity
3) Talks so much of faith, blessings, deliverance and prosperity but none of eternal realities.

If you preach the word minus the realities of eternity; if you fail to tell people about Heaven, holiness, rapture and hell as much as you tell them how much God wants to bless them, then you have not spoken the whole truth of the Bible (but preached just a section of the word). This is lopsided gospel; it is incomplete gospel, and it is false gospel!!!

"And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the book of life..." (Revelation 22:19a).

WHAT MATTERS MOST IN LIFE

This morning, some eternal words resounded in my spirit and I wish to share them with you also and encourage you to mark them for your own life also where applicable.

"Don't measure spiritual acceptance by financial or material inflow. The presence of money does not imply the presence of God. Money and resources can flow where God does not move. Don't confuse these as others do."

How true and eternal are these words! Today, some people think abundance of financial and material resources is an indicator of abundance of God's approval and favour. While God's favour is a foundation for (God's) riches and goodness, the availability of opportunities and enormity of "breakthroughs" is not a guarantee of spiritual blessedness.

There are many inflows that have no root in God and there are several opportunities that are not of God. The rich man had plenty money, much influence and authority that even in hell he thought his authority still counted and so he beckoned on father Abraham to direct Lazarus on errand for him (Luke 16:24). The point is that he had huge resources but lacked God in all, and it didn't profit him to have ‘gained the whole world and lost his soul’ (Mark 8:36). ‘A man's life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses’ (Luke 12:15).

No one will enter eternity with cars, houses, earthly clothes and all, but "naked" to stand before the throne (Ecclesiastes 5:15). Where then did the gospel that prepares people for a great life here on earth with little or no preparation for eternity originate from? It couldn't have been of God.

As I close; there is a lesson to learn from the rich man who went to hell and rich Abraham who went to Heaven. It means God isn't against our blessedness and fruitfulness in all quarters. But He expects us to focus majorly on one thing that really matters, and that is what will matter when others (money, houses, and all that have replaced Heaven) will cease to matter...that thing is called ETERNITY. Anyone (whoever he/she is) who teaches you how to succeed and fulfil destiny on earth "is doing well"...but if they never teach/prepare you for eternity (the life after destiny here), they are false!!! Don't wait for them to tell you there's no Heaven, Hell or Rapture (that will be too cheap)...they will never mention them.

Brethren, let us be wise, nothing compares to eternity! I pray that God will bless and preserve you. You shall not only end 2013 well, you shall end this life's journey well in Jesus' name. Amen.

SPIRIT’S SWORD DEVOTIONAL

Wednesday, 18th December, 2013

Focal Scripture: Matthew 6:33

>>> WHAT MATTERS MOST IN LIFE

FOLLOW HIS WAYS

The call to Christianity is call to absolute trust, complete obedience and unwavering followership of the Master, Jesus. Anyone who is not willing to trust, obey and follow the Master’s ways, that person is not likely to end well in destiny and eternity. Some may manipulate their ways through life, but there is a judge in eternity that cannot be bribed, and “Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap” (Galatians 6:7b).

There are times when God instructs us to do things in a way that appear humanly foolish to you and others around you. Some may conclude you have gone mad and sometimes you become neglected and hated for doing it God’s way.

Today, I want to share very few insights about God’s way(s) with you:

1)    The ways of God have one sure destination – Heaven! The implication of not following His ways is disobedience, and disobedience is sin, and the end of sin is hell.

2)    God’s ways may appear tough, full of oppositions, but they are the most assured in terms of safety. When you walk in His ways you security becomes Heaven’s responsibility.

3)    God’s ways may appear long, but they are the shortest and safest distances to where you are going in life and eternity.

4)    God’s ways may not always be smooth, so the presence of ‘ups and downs’ do not imply the ways are not of God. Sometimes, when you find a way with no obstacle, be sure it is leading nowhere.

5)    Sometimes God owe you no explanation for the ways He chooses to do/perfect His will and counsel for your life. And sometimes also you may not be able to analyse why. All you have to do is to trust in His wisdom, His will, His WORD, His purpose and His faithfulness, and having done these, just obey!

Disobedience punctures Heavenly race and makes the person unable to end well. You must be willing to seek God’s ways in every area of your life, and as you do, “And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it” (Isaiah 30:21a).

We must trust and follow Him even when it does not appear to make sense now. In destiny and eternity it shall not only make sense, it shall make sounds. May God lead you today and always!

(Culled from the teaching; DIVINE DIMENSIONS OF TRUST. Courtesy of: TreasuredHouse Int’l. Ministries. To subscribe to our online Newsletter or monthly online/printable devotional, visit www.treasuredhouse.org)

THE (DEATH) MINISTRY OF LOT

Brother Lot became Minister Lot and some souls were committed onto him. Who were these souls?

-          Those servants of his who were in-charge of his cattle and businesses: the same herdmen who contended with Abraham’s herdmen (Genesis 13:7).

-          His wife and two (2) daughters

-          His sons-in-law

It is obvious that Lot had some lives committed onto his care and leadership. But in the end, we never heard of those servants again; they were lost to the flames of Sodom. Lot began with quite a number of lives but ended with his own life by saved by mercy. His ministry killed more people than it saved. What a ministry of death! Looks like there are some of such ministries today where people are being channelled into an ugly lurking eternity in Hell.

Let us consider still briefly some confirmations of the truth that Lot disappointed God and man in the course of his ministry and living.

1)      God was disappointed

Lot was living in compromise, lust and greed by the choice of Sodom. Yet God made merciful and gracious ways of escape for him but afterward, he still returned to Sodom.

Lot didn’t start by living inside Sodom. In the beginning the Bible says ‘he went to live NEAR Sodom’ (Genesis 13:12). He wasn’t living inside Sodom at first but lived close by. But it wasn’t long after he landed inside Sodom, and when the enemies came to attack, Lot was already living inside Sodom. “And they took Lot, Abraham’s brother’s son, who dwelt in Sodom, and his goods, and departed” (Genesis 14:12).

When God used Abraham to bring deliverance, one would have thought Lot would step away from Sodom, but he went back to the same place and destruction was just miles away.

Backsliding does not begin in one day; it starts gradually. Those who backslide would perhaps receive many warnings and mercy life-line but they would despise such. This was the case of Lot.

If we agree that God gave Lot a second chance after his first capture, then it is clear he failed that second chance.

2)      Abraham was disappointed

Why was Abraham interceding for Lot (Genesis 18:23-33)? Why did he start his intercession with fifty (50) souls? Abraham perhaps expected Minister Lot to at least have won and discipled at least fifty (50) souls, afterall he had servants, herdmen, family members, etc. But in the end, it was clear to Abraham that Lot’s ministry could boast of several cattles, conections, influence, buildings, money, businesses, etc, but it could not account for even ten (10) souls. What a calling!

3)      The angels were disappointed

“And the men said unto Lot, Hast thou here any besides? Son in law, and thy sons, and daughters, and whatsoever  thou hast in the city, bring them out of this place” (Genesis 19:12).

What a question! Even the angels were surprised that Lot could only account for only his daughters and wife (who eventually missed it). Why would the angels have asked for sons if Lot never had sons?! What sons were being referred to? Not his biological sons, but spiritual sons! But the man either had none or had and lost them to the flames of Sodom.

There is a relationship between Lot and Rahab. While Lot can go for a Minister, Rahab could go for an “ordinary” member. But they had the same mandate, and Lot (the Minister) escaped with only two daughters while Rahab (the member) escaped with all her families. This is how it will be in the end, ministers with no souls to show and members with many souls to show. What a life!

We must remind ourselves that we shall not show God the number of houses we built, or the number of cars He gave us, or the size of our bank accounts, but the number of souls we genuinely touched shall be an eternal legacy.

As we close, it is vital to check and see if Lot had instructions at his disposal. Yes, he had! Did he take them? The end confirmed that! God said about Abraham, “For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord, to do justice and judgment…” (Genesis 18:19a).

Lot was a part of that household which Abraham commanded but the lust for space, acquisition and accumulation of gadgets, love for money, greed for more, conformity to the world and taste for worldliness overtook him and he landed himself a ministry of death, killing more souls (in the flames of Sodom) than he helped make Heaven.

Today, there are ministries and ministers harming souls than helping them. The question is, where do you belong?

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LOVE AND GRACE

It was LOVE that made God give Jesus (John 3:16).

And with the coming of Jesus came GRACE (John 1:17b).

There is thus a relationship between LOVE and GRACE. We can put it this way: love is the motivation (the reason/the basis) for grace. Where love is, grace abounds. How does this understanding help us? Quickly:

1)      When you love God, God makes grace available onto you. Your measure of love for God determines the measure of grace you can carry. It is error to fast and pray for grace while your love for God is zero.

How then can a man know he loves God? Yeah, I have done a teaching on this before (you can e-mail me via: drbukola@treasuredhouse.org for this teaching), but here are two (2) clues:

i)                    When you keep His commandments and live pleasing to Him (John 14:15).

ii)                  ii) When you love other people (1 John 3:18).

2)      When love abides in your family/marriage, grace multiplies in that atmosphere. I call this atmosphere of grace 'Graceosphere'...it overcomes every contrary and evil atmosphere. Grace chokes satanic manipulations in your family and they die off. And the way to release grace in your family is to express love. Love is a suitable medium where grace seeks to thrive. When you love, grace is available; and where grace abounds, disgrace is absent.

Friend, if you desire to walk in the fullness of grace for life and destiny I recommend to you the way of love. In the end, you can be sure (with love and grace) you will finish well. Be lifted; Live ready; Live blessed.

In His Calling,

Dr. Bukola Williams

TreasuredHouse®

www.treasuredhouse.org

WHAT TO DO WHEN IT APPEARS GOD IS SILENT CONCERNING YOU

Foremost, I want to say that God is a speaking God. The main problem is that some people either do not know how to hear Him or are insensitive to what He is doing or saying. But also, there may appear a season in a man’s life when it seems like in-spite of all the promises, praying and rightful doings nothing seems to be changing. If this is your situation or you know someone like that, then this word is for you.

1.      BE THANKFUL

“In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you” (1 Thess. 5:18).

God says “in everything” give thanks not in a few situations or when things are going well. Eph. 5:20.

2.      BE WATCHFUL

Look inward to see and be sure there is no (unconfessed or hidden) sin in your life which would disconnect you from God. “Behold, the LORD'S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear” (Isaiah 59:1-2).

Sin closes the Heaven over a life (1 Kings 8:35; 2 Chronicles 6:26). If there is any sin to confess, don’t delay! (1 John 1:9; Psalm 32:5; Prov. 28:13).

3.      REVIEW YOUR WILL VERSUS HIS WILL

Ephesians 5:17; Col. 1:9

God sponsors and sustains His will through His word and instructions. Disobedience and rebellion to God’s will can disconnect a man from God’s  voice.

Praying in the name of Jesus but outside the will of God will not motivate Heaven to attend to the prayer. As His name is, so His will is.

“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 7:21).

It is difficult to enter divine destiny and impossible to make Heaven by living outside God’s will.

4.      BE PATIENT; STAY POSITIVE AND TRUST HIS FAITHFULNESS

When there is nothing (sinful or rebellious) between you and God and yet it appears nothing is changing and no  word is coming;

a.      Be Patient

“For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise” (Hebrews 10:36).

b.      Stay Positive

Confess the word; be positive in your confessions; exercise faith (Romans  4:17).

c.       Trust His Faithfulness

“I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee” (Hebrews 13:5b).

“Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee” (Isaiah 49:15).

5.      PERSIST IN PRAYER

Never give up on God. Don’t entertain weariness and discouragement; pray on! (Luke 18:1; 1 Thess. 5:17; Eph. 6:18). You may just be some steps away from your answers. And as you pray, go on and battle against spiritual oppositions (Daniel 10:12-13). Also be sure to avoid murmuring and complaining.

And then remember to “forget about yourself” and pray for others…this is intercessory prayer. Job’s change when he prayed for his friends. He confessed change in Job 14:14, and the change surfaced in Job 42:10. Well, I can’t really say what would have happened if he prayed for them earlier than he did.

6.      ENGAGE THE POWER OF PRAISE AND THANKSGIVING

As you pray on, praise on and be thankful always. “Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving” (Colossians 4:2).

When you have done all you know to do, praise Him!

7.      BE AVAILABLE TO GOD ALWAYS

Let nothing take you away from God and His will (1 Corinthians 15:58).

NOTE THESE:

-          God cannot lie and He does not fail: you cannot be the first victim! (Numbers 23:19; Deut. 31:6).

-          There is nothing God cannot do; He can help you, give you a child, a job, marital partner, and what you trust Him for (Jeremiah 32:17 & 27).

-          When God works, no devil, demon or witchcraft can withstand Him (Isaiah 54:17; Numbers 23:23).

-          God has a plan for your life and He is taking it through His own (ways). Sometimes we may not understand, but we shall understand it better by and by. Your testimony is sure (Jeremiah 29:11; Isaiah 55:8).

-          Value your relationship with God and your place in Heaven above all other things. In the end, what matters most is making Heaven and not missing rapture when it happens (Luke 12:15; 1 Timothy 6:7; Matthew 16:26).

Hear God’s word: “Say ye to the righteous, that it shall be well with him” (Isaiah 3:10a). IT IS WELL WITH YOU BELOVED.

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DELAYED REPENTANCE

“And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee” (Acts 24:25).

The man had the opportunity to repent, but he deferred his salvation to a time he thought he would be ready. Though he had a more perfect knowledge of these things – of God’s expectation and judgment, yet he postponed the opportunity to make Heaven and escape hell.

Pilate had the opportunity to know the truth, but he asked a question and never waited for the answer: “Pilate saith unto him, What is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews, and saith unto them, I find in him no fault at all” (John 18:38).

There was a man whom  Jesus said was not far from the kingdom: “And when Jesus saw that he answered discreetly, he said unto him, Thou art not far from the kingdom of God” (Mark 12:34). He was not far, but he was not in. This is the case of everyone that postpones repentance and salvation. Unfortunately, some shall be locked outside because no one knows when the door shall be locked. I pray that we shall not be locked outside of Heaven in Jesus’ name. To delay repentance is to play with eternity.

Do not delay to stop sinning. Do not delay to do restitution. Do not delay to do what is right. Today is the day of salvation…eternity may be a blink away.

Maranatha.