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Friday, April 18,
2008
An Eternal Storehouse
Malachi 3:10 Bring ye all the tithes into
the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now
herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of
heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to
receive it. (KJV)
The Old Testament was written with
examples for us to follow, not in the literal sense but now discerning the
spiritual meaning and implications of the writings. God’s storehouse is the
people, and the meat that should be brought into it is spiritual in nature
and one that is intended to build up the inward man and not to be so
focused on the outward one anymore. We still have many today who twist and
pervert the true meaning of the scriptures because they are more self
seeking, worshipping their own creations more than the Creator Himself.
While many claim the reason God doesn’t bless them is because of their lack
of giving in the form of tithes and offerings, the truth be known is that
their attention is focused in the wrong realm; and those that are doing the
teaching are the ones that need to be re-taught themselves the basic
principles of Christianity. Knowing who and what God’s true storehouse is will
allow you to grow up strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.
Acts 17:22-25 Then Paul stood in the
midst of Mars' hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all
things ye are too superstitious. (23) For as I passed by, and beheld your
devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom
therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you. (24) God that made
the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and
earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; (25) Neither is worshipped
with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all
life, and breath, and all things; (KJV)
Many people today base their beliefs in
what a church is on what they were told by man and not by what they hear
from the Lord Himself. Many are indoctrinated with beliefs based on what
their parents and grandparents believed and not on what they have found to
be the truth themselves. If you drive around a town and point out certain
buildings many would tell you it is a church or the house of God. If you
were to open the phone book and look up the word church you would find many
different names and titles man has come up with for what a church is. The
simple truth is that the people are the Church, the true worshippers of
God, and that He lives and dwells within them. Yet with this simple truth
in mind, why are so many still pointing people to the outward creations of
man and not to the new man that has taken up residence within them? Why do
so many claim the people are robbing God because of their lack of giving,
when the truth be known the robbery is being committed by those that should
be teaching truth and yet have need to be re-taught themselves the basic
principles of Christianity.
Matthew 16:16-18 And Simon Peter answered
and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. (17) And Jesus
answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and
blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.
(18) And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I
will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
(KJV)
Here is the building God truly is
concerned with and would like to see His people concentrating their
attention toward, one that is spiritual in nature and able to withstand all
the spiritual winds of doctrines that would try and blow it over. Is Christ
truly the foundation of your building so that the gates of hell and its
influence will no longer prevail against you? Are you building a case on
the rock solid spiritual evidence presented to us through the Son or are
you still settling for second hand self serving doctrines of man? Has our
Father revealed Himself to you personally so that you can know and not just
guess that you are one of His, the true Church of the living God, or are
you concentrating more on man’s outward creations of what they think a
church is?
Acts 4:10-12 Be it known unto you all,
and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of
Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him
doth this man stand here before you whole. (11) This is the stone which was
set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. (12)
Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under
heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. (KJV)
There are a lot of builders out there who
claim they are building in the name of the Lord. Just like with
construction, if that cornerstone is not set right, if it is not in its
proper place, then the whole building will end up off kilter. The Lord said
He would build His Church; now the question is how many are letting Him
build it within them based on His foundation and not on what a bunch of other
builders think it is; wanna be’s and pretenders who worship their own
creations more than the Creator. There is no other name, no other
foundation that the true Church of God can be built on, than the name of
Jesus Christ. Only the doctrine of Christ will be able to build up His
people and allow them to withstand all the fiery darts of the wicked one.
1 Peter 2:4-8 To whom coming, as unto a
living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious,
(5) Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy
priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus
Christ. (6) Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay
in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him
shall not be confounded. (7) Unto you therefore which believe he is
precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders
disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, (8) And a stone of
stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word,
being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed. (KJV)
You are a spiritual being; God’s true
Church is one of spiritual in nature, one that should be getting built up
on a daily basis and not torn down by man-made doctrines. As a true
believer in Christ this is what is precious in the sight of God, His
people, not some building or organization that puts more emphasis on
outward things rather than on the inward one. This is your salvation to
which you are appointed to inherit, so don’t be taken in by those that try
and pack your bags for a guilt trip thinking God doesn’t bless His people
because of their lack of giving to their organizations. When they promise
you liberty while they are still themselves the servants of corruption and
not the true servants of God they claim to be, it is time to reevaluate
your situation and turn away from those that don’t know who God’s true
storehouse is and how to keep them built up in the word of God.
Acts 20:32-34 And now, brethren, I
commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build
you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.
(33) I have coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel. (34) Yea, ye
yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and
to them that were with me. (KJV)
Paul dealt with some of this same
nonsense we see today, those that were more concerned with silver and gold
and not the precious things of God which is His Church, the people. Paul was
willing to do whatever it took to deliver the word of God which would build
them up, including working with his own hands. If you’re in a situation
where the emphasis is more on the outward buildings rather than on the
inward one, then you will not get built up either, but rather fall short of
what God truly intended for His Church.
Ephesians 2:19-22 Now therefore ye are no
more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of
the household of God; (20) And are built upon the foundation of the
apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
(21) In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy
temple in the Lord: (22) In whom ye also are builded together for an
habitation of God through the Spirit. (KJV)
You are the Church people; you are God’s
true storehouse and considered a holy temple of His. Concentrate your
effort and priority in His realm, His direction, and prove Him that He will
pour out for you a blessing that there will not be room enough in your
storehouse to contain; good measure, pressed down, shaken together and
running over with living waters that proceed from the heart and give life
to those around you as well. God bless Church.
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