ADVANCING FORWARD

[FAITH]

"Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called," - Ephesians 4:1

"For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning" - 2 Peter 2:20

Scripture instructs us to come to understand and carry out our Christ calling, bearing fruit that remains for His Kingdom.  It exhorts us not to turn back to our old life or the rudimentary ways of this world.

In the last few days, people will have itching ears to hear what they want and not endure sound doctrine. Instead, they will seek out teachers to tell them what they want to hear. God cares about your comfort, but not at the expense of your destiny. He will offend your flesh, put you in a wilderness experience, crucify your self-life, and put you in a trial, all to perfect you and make you more like Him. Unfortunately, too many people in the Church have decided that they would rather be comfortable back in Egypt than become an army called to possess the Promised Land.

 

CONVENIENCE, COMFORTABILITY, ENTERTAINMENT

Convenience has replaced commitment.

Comfortability has replaced being conformed to the image of Christ by aggressively pursuing your Christ calling.

Entertainment has replaced worship and the sacrifice of your time to disciple new believers into their Christ identity.

Tolerance—being non-offensive and all-encompassing—has replaced preaching the truth with conviction and repentance.

Let's not bow down to the idol of convenience or go back to Egypt and captivity only to face God's judgment.

 

COMPROMISE TO THE CURRENT CULTURE

Some have bowed down, becoming more like the world, in the name of being relevant.  How could it happen that people would use grace as an excuse to live like the world?  Paul has said that God forbid that would happen.

We are warned of false teaching and false teachers.  However, it is impossible to properly discern false teaching if you do not have understanding.

The law of grace is not a lower standard but a higher one in God. It not only deals with your actions but your heart motivation as well.

God's warnings are clear: Don't compromise with the world. Don't become a friend of the world and trade-off your faith, your godly standards and your relationship with God. Don’t trade your birthright for a bowl of stew (Genesis 25:29-34).  Let's not bow down to the golden calf of compromise!

 

COMPLACENCY AND THE CARES OF THIS LIFE

If the enemy can't stop us, then he'll just distract us with frivolous hobbies and pastimes.  

He'll get us so caught up in the mundane day-to-day that we stop dreaming and discovering.

He'll try to cause the hard things to harden our hearts and dominate our passion.

He'll try and turn our eyes to escapism and entertainment or deaden our dreams with the drudgery of everyday pressure to just survive.

Dead religion and ritual will want to supplant a passionate pursuit of God's calling on our lives. This can become a golden calf that diverts or depresses our energy for Heaven's purpose for our life.

 

RECOMMIT AND GET ON TRACK

If you're hurt— seek help. Seek God and let Him heal your heart. It's time to get over it and get on with it.

If you're hard—humble yourself. Let grace flow and soften your heart. Seek God

If you don’t know God’s purpose for your life – ask, knock, and seek until the Holy Spirit gives you a revelation of your Christ calling.

If you're distracted—focus, commit, and get your life back on track with God.

If you're compromising—read the Word with an open mind. Repent of your sin by conforming to the heavenly example. Allow the Holy Spirit to speak to you, convict you, and help you embrace change.

If you're facing something impossible—rise up in faith. Lift up the sword of the Spirit (the Word of God). Fight, shout your doubts out, and cast the enemy out.

If you feel hopeless—allow God to re-ignite His vision in your life. Remember your hope is in God.

If you feel powerless—choose to use your weapons and your authority in Christ. Remember God's got your back!

 

ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY

https://afministry.ning.com/

DRE431      ZZ – 2598      DW88       01-16-2024