I cannot emphasize the importance of reading, studying, and researching things you believe in and are committed to. Reading was never something I initially
enjoyed before accepting Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Since converting to Christianity many years ago, I have significantly invested in reading. As a result, I have accumulated many books that have increased my knowledge base.
Yes! Most of the books I have read over the years have been inspired by my experiences. These experiences provoked me to not only want to know more about my challenges but also educate myself concerning their origin.
Scripture is clear when it says, "Study to show thyself approved unto GOD!" "And
that we ought to work out our own salvation."
The reason for posting
this post today is to point out to you that if you don't
study scripture and seek God for yourself, which in reality is the process of
developing a relationship with Him. Then you run the risk of becoming conformed
to man-made religious systems, traditions, philosophies, and the eloquence of
words by certain spiritual leaders with minimal, if anything, to do with
The Holy Bible. Like yourself, I am at a point where I'm confronted daily with real issues, which rhymes,
clichés, false prophecies, protocols, and church politics JUST CAN NOT FIX! The
reality is WE ARE IN DESPERATE NEED OF THE WORD OF GOD!!!!! Unfortunately, in
today's society, we are hearing and being introduced to everything except the
Word of God.
Indulge me for a few seconds as I release what God has released. I am not shoving this
understanding down your throat. Instead, I admonish you to ponder it and
allow the Word to do what it was designed to do.
"Thus says the LORD, "Cursed is the man who trusts in mankind And makes flesh his
strength, And whose heart turns away from the LORD. He will be like a bush in
the desert, and he won't SEE WHEN GOOD COMES. He will dwell in parched places
in the wilderness, a land of salt, without inhabitants" Jeremiah 17:5-6.
Wow! Now, isn't this interesting? God is making it abundantly clear to all who will pay attention
to his Word that we are automatically under a CURSE when we replace him with
the ideologies, philosophies, and the like of man. In fact, it goes on to say
that when we place our trust in man and turn away from him (God), EVERYTHING
DRIES UP IN OUR LIVES.............. But more importantly and notably, WE LOSE
OUR ABILITY TO RECOGNIZE WHEN GOOD COMES OUR WAY. Now, please pay close
attention to what the scripture is saying. It did not say God would not provide
good while under this curse. Instead, it said we will be unable to
recognize, decipher, or understand when what is good for us shows up.
The reality here is you could become so bound to a particular Preacher, Pastor, Apostle,
Evangelist, church, or whatever they say becomes final to you. You will not see the need to study anymore, read anymore, or search the
scriptures anymore TO SEE IF WHAT THEY ARE SAYING REALLY DOES LINE
UP WITH WHAT THE WORD OF GOD SAYS. Instead, your trust is so saturated in
a person, church, system, or tradition, and, as a result of this, WHEN GOD DOES
SPEAK AND SUPPLY YOU WITH THE GOOD YOU WERE ASKING FOR, OR HE KNOWS THAT YOU
NEED, YOU WON'T BE ABLE TO RECOGNIZE IT WHEN IT COMES........... Mighty God,
please help us!
Are your conversations focused more on what your pastor says than what God's Word teaches? Are you more concerned about being seen doing wrong by your pastor, or are you mindful of God, who sees everything you do? When you give, is it for the sake of your religious leader, or are you genuinely offering to help those less fortunate and promote the Kingdom of God on Earth? I'm not condemning anyone; I'm simply pointing out that it's easy to idolize a person, organization, or building to the point where you unconsciously treat them as your God while neglecting to give sincere attention to the God of all creation.
Finally, the unanswered prayers and hardships you are experiencing, which may feel as though nothing is changing for you, could be a result of misplacing your trust and commitment in people rather than in God. As a result, you may have unwittingly placed a curse upon yourself, preventing you from recognizing the blessings that God has continually sent your way.
My words of wisdom today are simply this, RE-VISIT WHERE YOU'VE PLACED YOUR TRUST AND
COMMITMENT. It might reveal or even explain the mystery surrounding your
misery.
Kevin L A Ewing
ewinglakevin@icloud.com
kevinlaewing.blogspot.com
