A.R.Smith Bible Insight

Power and the End Days Church.

Power is something that we all have been used to living with. For electrical power to reach the out most homes we use a booster, for as the electricity flows further from its source of origin it gets weaker, the same thing happens to water pressure. This is the way of transferring power from one source to another.

Many people ask the same question over and over again, Why can't we do, or why can't we see, the power of God working in our lives, why can't we do the things that Jesus told us we can do?

The answer is two fold. 1. many of the things that we are able to do are not taught in the Church, for many believe that the gifts were only for the disciples of Christ and 2. The lack of faith.

Lets read a little;
“And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach,
And to have power to heal sicknesses, and to cast out devils:”

The part of this verse I want to look at is this; “And to have power to heal sicknesses, and to cast out devils:” Were the disciples the only one to be ordained to act as ambassadors of Christ, or were all men given to opportunity to have these gifts? Some tried to buy these, but were rebuked and scolded, for as the Bible instructs, these gifts are free to all who desire them.

Its the power that we are lacking in these end days. As the church fades farther away from the source of power, the gifts start to fail, and the seducing spirits start getting stronger. As it was with the Children of Israel, with the miracles that God had done for them in their exodus, the same thing is happening today.

As the memory of Christ fades from the church, the church becomes weaker, and the teachings of Christ are being questioned. Many churches are seeking proof from science that the things that Christ did were possible. Is this really true, of course it is. The gifts that were free are now being ignored and the things that Christ did for us, has become a tedious task for many. They are going to church by habit instead of love.

Many deny the trinity because they don't understand it, many wonder if a virgin can have a baby, if a man can heal the sick, raise the dead, feed multitudes by asking and if there really is a resurrection. This is all part of Biblical prophecy, these things were meant to happen.

Here is your proof;
“Now the Spirit speaketh expressly,(Plainly; expressly; without duplicity; without disguise or reservation of meaning; not by inference or implication.) that in the latter times(The end of Days.) some shall depart(Leave.) from the faith(Gospel.), giving heed(To mind; to regard with care; to take notice of; to attend to; to observe.)
to seducing spirits(To draw aside or entice from the path of rectitude and duty in any manner, by flattery, promises, bribes or otherwise; to tempt and lead to iniquity; to corrupt; to deprave.),
and doctrines of devils(a principle or position in any science; whatever is laid down as true by an instructor or master.);
Speaking lies(Untruths.) in hypocrisy( simulation, or the assuming of a false appearance of virtue or religion; a deceitful show of a good character, in morals or religion; a counterfeiting of religion.)
; having their conscience(knowledge of our own actions or thought.)
seared(Burnt on the surface; cauterized; hardened
with a hot iron;”

“Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.”
We must know the power of God, being His children. The power of God flowed threw Christ, and it must flow threw us. These seducing spirits have a hold on many in these end days, causing some to forget the power that was given to them from the time of their salvation. The Baptism of the Holy Ghost gave us this power, without limit, only to those that would accept it. The power we have, comes from God, but as the Church seeks out an easer way of doing things, the power becomes weaker, getting away from the Lords teachings causes this. There is no booster or an extra power adapter that can help us.

If we choose to get away from the source of this power, we do it on our own free will. As the church becomes weaker, the spirits of anti-Christ, starts taking control of the minds of men, and many different doctrines come about. No one is saved just because they were born into a religious family, this is a lie and a misconception. The Bible expressly states that a man must repent of his sins and accept Jesus Christ as the Son of God, without this confession and repentance, there can be no salvation, the power is absent.

Do they not understand the teachings of Christ, or are they ignoring them?
“But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;
That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”

Man has begun getting away from the power source, these false doctrines put many into a dire situation. Why are men questioning God, why are men denying Gods word, why, O why, are many falling away? Many have received the power, but as with electricity and water, we can turn off the lights and not use the water, this is why many are sitting in the dark and have nothing to drink. Jesus paid all the cost for this power and we are turning away from it and turning to false doctrines and lies, prophecy is being fulfilled.
Just a thought. Ars.

1Ti 4:1-3 Act 1:8 Mar 3:14-15 Mat 22:29 Rom 10:8-10
Webster,TSK.

I Desire to Reason with God.

“With whom took he counsel, and who instructed him, and taught him in the path of judgment, and taught him knowledge, and shewed to him the way of understanding?”

Many say we have the mind of God, but this isn't so. The Bible tells us that we have the mind of Christ, and should act as Christ acted, do the works that Christ did, and do greater works than His, being not greater than the Master.

We are a member of the house of God, the gentiles being a wild branch that was grafted in as the Hebrews were grafted out. Our loyalty, and dedication is upon, and belongs, to the Lord.

“Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge?”
Who shall council the Lord, with what hidden knowledge do you instruct Him?
Is this knowledge based upon the works of the Lord, or are they from the imagination of man?

Do you not know that the works and thoughts of man are on evil continually, that man has no knowledge that was not given to him by the Lord, or do you believe that all you know about science, humanity, or righteousness is something new that God needs to know?

The Bible tells us that;”Without a vision My people perish.” Man has a vision, on self, money, wealth, power, bigger and better, taller and wider, taking no thought of tomorrow or the consequences of their actions upon others. And still they think to council God on righteousness, on His word and the interpretation there of. Mans council is based upon his knowledge and understanding of mankind. He desires to contradict the very statutes of God, instructing Him on what is right, and what is wrong.

“Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom: I am understanding; I have strength.”
“There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD.”
Who shall say that Gods council is in err? Who shall say that there is darkness in His reason, wisdom, knowledge or understanding? Hasn't God created all things, hasn't He created man? In the beginning, didn't man steal knowledge? Hasn't man tried to use this knowledge to better himself, and also to demean himself? Has man used wisdom, knowledge, and understanding, of this world around him, for the better of all mankind, or has he turned the blessing of knowledge into something to enslave others?

“Lo, mine eye hath seen all this, mine ear hath heard and understood it.
What ye know, the same do I know also: I am not inferior unto you.” God is not inferior to man but otherwise, man is clay and the Lord is the potter. He has made some rich and poor, tall and small, black and white. For as it is written; “The LORD maketh poor, and maketh rich: he bringeth low, and lifteth up.” “ What is man, that thou shouldest magnify him? and that thou shouldest set thine heart upon him?”

“Surely I would speak to the Almighty, and I desire to reason with God.
But ye are forgers of lies, ye are all physicians of no value.” Can man really council the Lord, can he tell the Lord something that He does not already know? We should desire to reason with God, but never council.

To reason with God; Virtue and vice are not arbitrary things; but there is a natural and eternal reason for that goodness and virtue, and against vice and wickedness. God brings good out of evil, and therefore it were but reason we should trust God to govern his own world. To debate; to confer or inquire by discussion or mutual communication of thoughts, arguments or reasons.

To council the Lord; The act of consulting; the effect of consultation; determination; seeking mutually each others opinions and advice.
To contend with the Lord; To strive, or to strive against; to struggle in opposition. “Will ye accept his person? will ye contend for God?”

“O that ye would altogether hold your peace! and it should be your wisdom.
Hear now my reasoning, and hearken to the pleadings of my lips.
Will ye speak wickedly for God? and talk deceitfully for him? Will ye accept his person? will ye contend for God?”

Is it good that he should search you out? or as one man mocketh another, do ye so mock him?
He will surely reprove you, if ye do secretly accept persons.
Shall not his excellency make you afraid? and his dread fall upon you?
Your remembrances are like unto ashes, your bodies to bodies of clay.

Just remember this; “Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge?
Who shall council the Lord, with what hidden knowledge do you instruct Him?”

ars.

Job 13:1- 12 Pro 8:14 Isa 40:14 Job 38:2 Pro 21:30 1Sa 2:7 Job 7:17 1 Pet 3. Webster,TSK

Todays Yesterday.

Have you been in dire straights as of yesterday? Has everything gone wrong in your life? Do you wonder how you will be able to stand all the pressure, and do you wish that you would just die?

For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past, and as a watch in the night.
"Our years pass away like those of the spider." Our plans and operations are like the spider's web. Life is as frail, and the thread of it as brittle, as one of those which constitute the well-wrought and curious, but fragile habitation of that insect.(TSK.)

You may say; “Yesterday I was ill, with no comfort, I was poor, and no one aided me, I was lame, and no one helped me, I was afraid, and no one quieted my fears. I was homeless, and hungry, and no one took me in nor fed me, I was naked, and no one clothed me, yesterday I was alone in my sorrows.”
You say that, you were at the point of giving up, your pain, sorrow, desires, anguish, and hopelessness consumed you. But isn't yesterday gone? Hasn't the Lord given you a today to be concerned with?

The problems of yesterday are gone, the effect of them will no more come to you, for as today arrives, yesterday is no more. You will not feel the pain of yesterday, the hunger, the loneliness, the sorrow will never be felt by you again. As the wind blows and vanishes away, never to be felt by you again, so are the yesterdays of life.

The best thing about yesterday is that, it will never come again, so is it with our forgiven sin, and faithlessness in God. We have been forgiven of all our yesterdays, no more will we have to be held accountable for our mistakes, unbelief, the times we have stumbled, or cried out in desperation forgetting God.
We have all survived yesterday, for the Lord is faithful in His promises.

“For all our days are passed away in thy wrath: we spend our years as a tale that is told.
The days of our years are threescore years and ten(70); and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years(80), yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away.”
We fly away from our yesterdays, as if they never happened, but we must remember, for yesterday to really collapse in the shadows of our lives, we must ask forgiveness of our sins today.

Our anger of yesterday must be removed before today arrives, for as it is written; “Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath.”
Let not the sun go down upon your wrath, for the wrath of yesterday may become a stumbling block today. The wrath of yesterday must be forgiven, even before tomorrow becomes today, for who shall say if we shall be alive in the morning?
Who shall say that the strength you had yesterday, will be there, for you again, in the morning, your faith, hope, and even your very existence, may be in peril tomorrow. So we must come to grips with today, its pain, sorrow, adversity, poverty, wealth, decisions, and our trespasses, before today becomes a yesterday.

“Like a crane or a swallow, so did I chatter: I did mourn as a dove: mine eyes fail with looking upward: O LORD, I am oppressed; undertake for me.
What shall I say? he hath both spoken unto me, and himself hath done it: I shall go softly all my years in the bitterness of my soul.”
Your yesterdays may bring back terrible memories, pain and trouble. Should I have done this or done that, did I make the right decisions, did I make the correct choices? Did I forget to do something, or have I done something that I should not have done? “O woe is me in my spirit, my soul aches, and my tears have consumed me, for I am at ends for my yesterdays.”(ars)

“I reckoned till morning, that, as a lion, so will he break all my bones: from day even to night wilt thou make an end of me.” Day and night consume me for I have seen the wickedness of yesterday. Men have gone too and fro, making a mockery of my God and His Son. I have seen the pain, and sorrow, of nation, going about trying to call upon the Lord and have no knowledge of Him. I have seen the homeless, hungry, and dieing, many without hope, desperate to make today, a yesterday, so they can observe tomorrow. The dead know not what is on the move today, yesterday no longer concerns them, and tomorrow will never come, so the evil of it shall never effect them, they have all gone to their judgment.

Yesterday; The day last past; the day next before the present.
“We are but of yesterday, and know nothing.”
“Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.” For we do not know if today will become a yesterday, or weather tomorrow will welcome us. We have the evil of today to be concerned with. The Lord has provided you all with the things necessary to complete yesterday, if not then why are you still here? Wouldn't yesterday have been the doom, and gloom, that would have ended your life?

Let us read;
“Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.”

“There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”

ars.
Job 8., Psa 90:4, Psa 90:9-10, Eph 4:26 Isa 38:13-15 TSK Webster Mat 6:34 1Co 10:13 Heb 13:5-6

What I have done.
The Bible tells us that Jesus is the door, and no man enters except threw, and by Him. He is the one that opens the door and who then shuts the Door, Christ. When the door is shut, what manner of man can open it? No one can, for only Jesus has the power to open a shut door.

We are not saved by our works but only by grace, threw faith. What I have done cannot open a shut door. Many enjoy a good Christian singer, sometimes they bring about inspiration and sometimes, even bring about tears to those that hear. When the singing is done, there are some that will come up to this singer and tell him how wonderful they are, how beautiful they sing, and how they inspire all who listen. There is no problem with this unless the singer gives the incorrect response.

Their response should not be, yes, look what I have done, look how wonderful I am, look at how I inspire and bring tears to the audience. The answer should be, yes the Lord is good, He is the one who inspires men threw the gift He has given me, and the Holy Spirit surly did bring tears to the audience. I have never done anything that the Lord didn't ordain.

Lets read and understand these scriptures.

And he spake a parable unto them, saying, “The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully:
And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow “my fruits”?
And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods.
And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.
But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?”

Also;
“How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!
For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:
I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.
Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.”

The man that says,”I am”; has forgotten that at one time was, “Nothing.” I have done nothing, that wasn't already ordained by God. I am a fine preacher, because of the Lord, I am a fine singer, because of the Lord, I have plenty because of the Lord, I am, what I am, by the grace of God. We are the creation of the Lord, we are His possession and are subject to His will.

Wars will come and go, fighting, famine, petulance, and conflicts are inevitable, but all in all, God is in control. Man brings these things upon himself because of unrighteousness and sin, both being the same. Many say,”Why does God allow killing and war? Why did God allow the Israelites to kill hundreds of thousands in the Davinich wars? “Why?”

Those that ask these questions have not, and do not, understand who God is. They are in need of understanding and wisdom. God is who He is. He created all things visible and unvisitable, He needs no one to exist, no one to council Him and no one to question His authority. We belong to the Lord. Those that were killed in these wars, were those that were unrighteous and unwilling to accept God as Lord of all. They were not acceptable to rules or restrictions, that believing in God brings. Thou shalt not steal, thou shall not co mitt adultery, thou shall not.

They were living as “I will”.

In the end of days many shall come to God and say,”Look what I have done, I have preached in your name, I have sung to your Glory and I have cast out demons by the Name of your Son Jesus, I have earned, and bought plenty of oil for my lamp, I am ready, I am good, I am here.”

And the door will be shut. Why, you have oil and have done many works for Christ and the Father, why can I not enter?
Because of, “I”.
“Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
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.
Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”

Its the “I” factor, the fruits that many are bringing forth, in the name of the Lord, are moth eaten, cankered, and rotten. They were manifested by “I” and not by faith. Faith without works are dead, being alone, not sustained by eatable fruit, not being planted by the word of God, not being in a garden that was filled by the soil of faith and watered by the spirit.
Just a thought. Ars.

TSK. Luke 12:16-20 Isa 14:12-15 Mat 7:20- 23