"...but if the Lord is with us, why has all this happened to us? Where are all His wonders that our ancestors told us about when they said, ‘Did not the Lord bring us up out of Egypt'?" Judges 6.13
This was Gideon's answer to the Lord, when He said: 'The Lord is with you, mighty warrior."
How many times do we hear encouraging words like these from other people?
But if the Lord is really with us, why do we have so many disappointments, frustrations, failures and troubles?
Why is that?
Because God wants to see an attitude of faith from us, just like Gideon.
We cannot forget that the blessings of the Kingdom of Heaven are taken by violence, Matthew 11.12.
"Honor the Lord with your possessions and with the firstfruits of all your increase, so your barns will be filled with plenty and your vats will overflow with new wine." Proverbs 3.9-10
Honor is the link between children and their parents, husbands and wives, servants and masters.
Only those who are born of the Spirit acknowledge, through their firstfruits and offerings, that Jesus Christ is the Lord of their lives.
"Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward." Genesis 15.1
The question that immediately comes to mind is: Was God only a shield and reward to Abraham?
Or does He continue being a shield and reward to all of his descendants, who follow his example and obey His Word?
"And all nations will call you blessed, for you will be a delightful land, says the Lord of hosts." Malachi 3.12
It is unacceptable and impossible that those who serve the Lord of hosts have a poor quality of life or an equal quality of life as those who do not serve Him.
That just doesn't make sense!
Therefore, I propose that the women of faith join together to do a fast during 6 hours in preparation for this Sunday - Sunday of the Difference.
"A son honors his father and a servant his master. If then I am the Father, where is My honor? And if I am a Master, where is My reverence? - says the Lord of hosts to you priests who despise My name. Yet you say, ‘In what way have we despised Your name?’ Malachi 1.6
This verse leaves it clear that the Creator answers the creation's righteous demand because of their honor and respect to Him.
The Lord will never ask us for something that we are unable to give Him.
When He asks for honor and respect, He wants to be the priority in our lives. This is why our tithes must be our firstfruits, the first 10% of everything that comes to our hands.
"The fear of the Lord is to hate evil, pride and arrogance and the evil way and the perverse mouth I hate." Proverbs 8.13
God is the Fountain of Justice. He hates sin because it is a transgression of the Law, Order, Justice and Discipline.
The devil is the fountain of injustice, this is why he loves sin and everything else that is evil.
Therefore, those who love the LORD hate sin and run from it. They are disciplined.
"Come, you children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord." Psalm 34.11
Those who thirst listen to the Word of God.
And through His Word, those who are born again will understand it and practice it with fear of the Lord.
"Then you shall again discern between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve Him." Malachi 3.18
Did you see the difference between Noah and his generation?
Between Abraham and his family?
Between Isaac and Ishmael?
Between Jacob and Esau?
Between Joseph and his brothers?
Between Moses and the rebellious children of Israel?
Between Joshua/Caleb and the other cowardly spies?
Between Rahab, the prostitute, and the people of Jericho?
Between Gideon and the other children of Israel?
Between David and Saul?
If you haven't been able to see the difference yet, read the books of the prophets and Acts of the Apostles. Certainly you will understand the true difference between those who serve the Living God and those who do not serve Him.
"What shall I render to the Lord for all His benefits toward me?" Psalm 116.12
I love You, I praise You, I thank You, hallelujahs and songs filled with emotions are good. In fact, they do more for the person who is worshiping then for God, Himself.
What God really wants is for His children to HONOR Him and for His servants to RESPECT Him.
I think that He must be tired of listening to so many empty words spoken by people in churches.
Obedience and the practice of His Word are worth more than a million words of praise. It shows FEAR OF THE LORD.
That is what we must give Him in gratitude.
"Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain." John 12.24
Each one of us is like a grain of wheat and the ground is the Kingdom of God.
If we do not completely surrender our will of living for the kingdom of this world, we will end up alone and eternally lost.
Just like Jesus died, resurrected and multiplied, the same will happen with each one of His followers.
"But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses." Mark 11.26
Forgiveness is the beginning of Christian faith. Although it may be difficult or painful to forgive, it is essential for the person forgiving and for the person being forgiven.
In order to be forgiven, you must also forgive.
Those who do not forgive will not be forgiven.
"The lamp of the body is the eye. Therefore, when your eye is good, your whole body also is full of light. But when your eye is bad, your body also is full of darkness." Luke 11.34
The eyes are always judging, whether something is good or bad. When they are able to find the good in someone else, their body is filled with light - they are considered to have a good heart. However, the body will be full of darkness if they look to other people's flaws. In this case, this person is considered to have a bad heart.
How have your eyes judged others?
"...if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land." 2 Chronicles 7.14
God's blessings come with one condition: conversion. Mankind must leave behind his evil ways. In other words, those who steal, no longer steal; those who are promiscuous, will no longer do so; those who lie, no longer lie; etc. You must immediately abandon sin.
To sum it all up, those who want the attention of the Spirit of God must obey His word.
"A faithful man will abound with blessings, but he who hastens to be rich will not go unpunished." Proverbs 28.20
Those who prioritize their loyalty to God will abound with blessings in due time.
But those who are in a hurry to become rich are foolishly chasing the wind. Sooner or later, they will be punished by their own greed.
