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In the book of II Samuel chapter 15 the word of the Lord speaks to how a heart can be turned away from the one a person should be serving to someone they should not be serving. The persons in this chapter are David and Absalom. Absalom had a dislike for his father, David. Some say it is because David did not rebuke or deal with Ammon after he raped Tamar. But the exact reason is not mentioned. One thing for sure, Abaslom came against his father the king. The Bible says Absalom sent for Joab to come unto the King even though Absalom had dwelled in Jerusalem for two full years himself after the birth of his children. Joab would not go. Abaslom asked Joab again to go to the king. And again, Joab did not go (II Samuel 14:27-29), Absalom then had his servants to set Joab's fields on fire and they did. What exactly was in Absalom's heart that would have him do such a thing? When Joab approached Absalom about setting his field on fire, Absalom told him it was because he had made a request of him and he (Joab), did not obey it. Absalom went on to say, "now therefore let me see the kings face; and if there be any iniquity in me, let him kill me." - II Samuel 14:32b Then in II Samuel chapter 15 Absalom does something that made his father run from him. The Bible says in this chapter that Absalom stood beside the way of the gate: and it was so, that when any man that had a controversy came to the king for judgment, then Absalom called unto him..." What was Absalom doing? He was stopping the men from seeing the king and directing them to himself. Absalom took upon himself to act as one with authority; to act in authority King David had no given him. Then in verse 3 the Bible says, "And Absalom said unto him, See, thy matters are good and right; but there is no man deputed (appointed as one's substitute, representative or agent) of the king to hear thee." Who gave Absalom the right to make this statement? Why did he make this statement? Did King David say he needed help judging the people? Did King David say anything to Absalom about helping him judge the people? No. In verse 4 Absalom makes the bold statement of telling the men to come directly to him if they need anything and by- pass the king. He made the statement that he (Abaslom) would do them justice. Verse 5 addresses how Absalom greeted any that came to him. In verses 4-6 we see how Absalom stole the hearts of the people. He inserted himself before the King, he made himself available and did and said those things that pull at heart strings. "And on this manner did Absalom to all Israel that came to the king for judgment: SO ABSALOM STOLE THE HEARTS OF THE MEN OF ISRAEL." The people did not get to the king. Absalom made it appear of if the king was too busy or did not have time to do the work. Absalom demonstrates why it necessary for this in ministry and those that are working on their souls salvation to know those that labor among you. Absalom was doing things to help King David. He was doing things that would end up hurting his father, Israel and eventually himself. When King David received word of what Absalom was doing, he ran from his kingdom." And there came a messenger to David, sayingt; The hearts of the men of Israel are after Absalom. And David said unto all his servants that were with him at Jerusalem, Arise, and let us flee; for we shall not else escape from Absalom: make speed to depart, lest he overtake us suddenly, and bring evil upon us, and smite the city with the edge of the sword." The might man, King David, was put on the run by the actions of his son. For his son had stolen the hearts of the people. David knew that meant their allegiance was now to Absalom and the people would now do as Absalom commanded. David, a man after God's own heart, truly understood that he would be no match for his son since the hearts of the people were now with his son. David knew that men follow after what is in their heart. The Bible teaches to keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life (Proverbs 4:23). Absalom put the king of Israel on the run, not with weapons or even throwing fist. He put him on the run by turning the hearts of the people away from the king. When the hearts of the people are against you, it can make you run. What can we learn from these scriptures? 1. guard your heart 2. know those that labor among you 3. watch who you associate with 4. watch who you allow to speak to your heart 5. do now take instruction or direction from anyone the Elders have not put in place 6. do not listen to anyone that places themselves in a position of authority
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My, it has been a few months since the last study. It just seems like time passes so quickly. I had not realized that it has been months since the last study. Let's talk about time.
The Bible teaches us to redeem the time in Ephesians 5:16. Redeem meaning to make wise use of. It is so easy to waste time. To spend time on things that take away from drawing closer to the Lord. The word of God tells us to redeem time because the days are evil. The Bible also tells us that evil men and seducers will wax worse and worse deceiving and being deceived. The believer has to guard themselves from all the devices and things this world has that will take the mind off of Jesus Christ and living a holy life. Time can get away from you if you are not careful. Something innocent and harmless can begin to take up the believers time and begin to remove God's word from the heart. The Bible says, "The days of our years are threescore years and ten, and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years; yet is their strength about and sorrow; for it is soon cut off and we fly away." Psalms 90:10 Seventy or eighty years is not a lot of time. How do you spend it? Twenty four hours in a day. How do you spend them? Three hundred sixty five days in a year. How do you spend them? One hundred and twenty hours in a week. How many of those hours are spent in church, bible study, prayer, fasting? Time In the book of I Samuel chapter 10 and 13, the scriptures speak to the actions of Saul when he was king. Saul was king of Israel because the people wanted a king and not because God chose him. (I Samuel 8:19-21). Mistake.
In chapter 10, Samuel advises Saul that he is to go down to Gilgal, and Samuel would come down too., and offer the burnt offerings and the sacrifice sacrifices of peace offerings. However, in chapter 13, verses 7-10 the scriptures tell us that Saul did not obey. Saul took it upon himself to offer true burnt offering and the peace offerings. the scriptures state, “And he tarried seven days, according to the set time that Samuel had appointed: but Samuel came not to Gilgal; and the people were scattered from him. And, Saul said, Bring hither a burnt offering to me, and peace offerings. And he offered the burnt offering.” Why do Saul do that? According the scriptures, Saul saw that the people.. What about the direction that the prophet Samuel had given? Why didn’t Saul wait for Samuel to perform the duties of the priest? Why did Saul not realize he was not the prophet or priest of Israel. Saul acted on his thoughts and what he saw instead of obeying the prophet of God. Looking at situations and thinking past what the Lord ordains is not good. For God’s thoughts are not our thoughts and Gods ways are not our ways. Saul thought too much and made a move based on what he saw and thought. What was the result of what Saul did? “And Samuel said to Saul, Thou has done foolishly; thou has not kept the commandment of the Lord thy God, which he commanded thee: for now would the Lord have established by kingdom upon Israel for ever. But now thy kingdom shall not continue: the Lord hath sought him a man AFTER HIS OWN HEART, AND THE LORD HATH COMMANDED HIM TO BE CAPTAIN OVER HIS PEOPLE BECAUSE THOU HAST NOT KEPT THAT WHICH THE LORD COMMANDED THEE.” I Samuel 13:13,14 Don’t over think the ways of God. Obey the word. just as it is written. Obey your Pastor, like the scriptures say. And if you have a Pastor that is not doing right or living right, ask the Lord to guide you to one that is. Don’t use someone else’s disobedience as a reason for your disobedience. Amen There is a song that has the following words in it: "Can't you see the sign of the times. Don't you know the time is short. Soon the Lord, He will return...."
Earth quakes in California. Hail in Mexico. Hot temperatures in Alaska. Murders are on the rise. Crime is on the rise. Families are being broke up. Children are being misused. The love of many has waxed cold. Men have become on a greater scale than ever before, lovers of themselves more than lovers of God. Sickness and disease are at an all time high. Discipline and self control hardly exists any more. Jesus is on His way back. During the radio broadcast this morning it became more certain to this preacher that preaching the Gospel, preaching and teaching against sin is needed now more than ever. Yes, there will be a price to pay. But in the end, serving the Lord is going to pay off after while. In the book of Acts chapter 26, Apostle Paul is recalling how the lord called him on the road to Damascus. In verses 16-18 the directions from the Lord are straight and to the point; "But rise and stand upon they feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make the a minister and a witness both of these things which thous has seen, and of those things in the which i will appreciate unto thee: Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee. TO OPEN THEIR EYES, AND TO TURN THEM FROM DARKNESS TO LIGHT, AND FROM THE POSER OF satan UNTO GOD, THAT THEY MAN RECEIVE FORGIVENESS OF SINS, AND INHERITANCE AMONG THEM WHICH ARE SANCTIFIED BY FAITH THAT IS IN ME." This is still God's requirement for the preacher. The laws of the land may change. Men, as they gather together, may come up with new ways of doing things to 'attract the youth'. But these ways will never work to the saving of the soul. In just this past month, many I have know personally have died. One this morning. Knowing someone that dies always causes me to ask myself if I am ready to meet the Lord? Am I ready to stand in the judgement? Have I completed the work He called me to do. This web site is not for popularity. It is a vehicle to use to let a soul know if he or she is looking for Christ, they can find Him at Steadfast Apostolic Church. Many have come through the doors over the years. Many have fell to the wayside. But we are still here. I can badly declare that Jesus is Lord, Savior. I can badly declare that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world. I can boldly declare that you must be born again of the water and the Spirit to go to Heaven. Majority does not rule. Jesus does. Mankind can make all the laws they want to make ungodly things lawful. But all their laws will not change what God has already said. I would admonish the Saints to draw closer to the Lord. And always remember, that if the righteous scarcely make it in, where will the ungodly and sinner appear? Holiness is still right. The Bible account of Joseph and his brothers has been taught to youth all over the world for years, decades even. Recently while studying, I saw something in this account of what happened to Joseph.
It seemed like a bad situation for him. His brothers all coming against him due to jealously. The scriptures say "and when his brethren saw that their father loved him more than all his brethren they hated him, and could not speak peaceably unto him." Genesis 37:4. Joseph was a dreamer. His father, Jacob, had dreams too (Jacobs ladder). In Joseph's dream, he saw that his brothers sheaf's made obeisance to Jacobs sheaf's. This made his brothers hate him more. But this dream did come to pass. One day Jacob sent Joseph to see about his brothers as they were feeding their father's flock. When they saw Joseph coming, they conspired against him to slay him. But instead, they sold Joseph to the Ishmeelites for twenty pieces of silver. The Ishmeelites in turn sold Joseph into Egypt unto Potiphar. This deed put Joseph in Egypt long before the famine came. Genesis 39:1-6 tells how Joseph's new master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord made all he did to prosper. The new master made Joseph over see in his house and over all that he had. Of course there were obstacles Joseph was accused of something he did not do and was placed in prison. But the Lord was with Joseph in prison too Gen. 39:20,21). While in prison, Joseph was called to interpret the kings dreams. This led to Joseph being brought out of prison and placed once again in a position of authority in Egypt. Then the famine came. And, Joseph was the governor over the land and he was the one that sold to all the people of the land. When his brothers came to buy corn at the direction of their father, Jacob, the brothers did not recognize Joseph, but Joseph knew his brethren. Joseph's dream was coming to pass. When time came for Joseph to made himself known to his brothers (Genesis 45:4). Joseph said something to them that stands as a testament to how God works on behalf of His people. "AND GOD SENT ME BEFORE YOU TO PRESERVE YOU A POSTERITY IN THE EARTH AND TO SAVE YOUR LIVES BY A GREAT DELIVERANCE. SO NO, IT WAS NOT YOU THAT SENT ME HITHER, BUT GOD:" Genesis 45:7,8 Romans 8:28 says it like this, "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." Those that serve the Lord, have a God on their side that will be a battle ax. What Joseph's brothers did to him was all part of God's plan for his people. Even in their evil deed, God was making provisions for them. God is a good God. "And Joseph said unto them Fear not: for am I in the place of God? But as for you, ye thought evil against me but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive." Genesis 50:19.20. What God did through Joseph blessed all the people of God in time of famine. Serve the Lord. Go through your tests. Stay with the Lord during your test and God will make all things work together for your good and the be a blessing to someone that just may be watching you to see how you serve the Lord. The Lord is good. He is a very present help in trouble. The Church is in trouble. Some may not agree, but all one has to do is look around.
The doctrine is being challenged and changed. The standards are being challenged and are being changed. And these changes are happening at the hands of the world, the backslider and the reprobate. These changed are being made by those that profess to be Holy Ghost filled!! There is nothing to discuss when it comes to homosexuality. The Bible is very plain about what God says about it. "Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination. Neither shalt thou lie with any beast to defile thyself therewith: neither shall any woman stand before a beast to lie down thereto: it is confusion." Leviticus 18:22 "Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abuser of themselves with mankind,..." I Corinthians 6:9 "For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of error which was meet." Romans 1:26,27 "If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them." Leviticus 20:13 This spirit is taking over, everywhere. It;s a spirit, an evil spirit and not of God. All that partake of any of the above are in sin. This is not an opinion. This is the word of God. And, no God does not hate the sinner. God hates sin. God hates sin because sin separates man from God. Man can not be in fellowship with God if he or she is living in sin. And now 'that spirit' is being passed down to children. Some will say that 'they' have been there for a long time preaching, singing, etc in the Church. Well, I say, when it becomes know what and how they are living, sit them down! If it's discerned how they are living, don't put them up before the people! And if that means you do not have a choir, so what? If that means you do not have a minister of music, so what? if that means you do not have a youth leader, so what? If that means you don't have whatever, so what? The wages of sin is still death. Having a choir, youth leader, choir director is not more important than teaching souls have to live holy before God. What good does it do to have all these positions filled with sinners? And, one can not be holy and be a sinner too!!! God still demands holiness "But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy, for I am holy. I Peter 1:15,16 "Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord." Hebrews 12:14 Telling the truth is love. Let the church go back to the old landmark before it is too late. Eternity is a long time. As the soon of the Lord is discerned, there appears to be more false preaching, teaching, prophesying going on. Especially as relates to salvation and knowing Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. There is this emphasis on the youth and trying to reach them and come up with 'ways' to reach them.
When you search the scriptures, you do not find a different way mentioned to reach children or youth. As a matter of fact, the Bible does not make mention of children being treated special except as relates to them being treated with care in raising and instruction in righteousness. No where in the word of God does it say to treat children special when it comes to salvation. As a matter of fact, the Bible says to train them up in the 'way they should go'. Which is the question. Are adult Saints raising their children in the way? There is something wrong when the parent is 'clean' but the child looks like the world. There is something wrong when children are on tablets and smart phones in Church during service!! There is something wrong when a 7 year old has an I phone but does not know Jesus or how to get saved or the books of the Bible. Call it what you want in this new day, but the word of God does not support any of this. The Bible says in Galatians 1:6-8, "I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another but there be some that trouble you and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we or an angel from heaven preach any other unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed." Now, it does not get any plainer than that! Leave the word of God alone! It is a dangerous thing for the soul of the person that takes away from the word of God (Revelations 22:19). It is past time for the blood bought Church to be the Church In Jesus Name. Praise the Lord!! The Lord is good and His mercy endureth for ever.
Well, it is 2019 and the Lord has allowed me and all that would read this study to enter into a new year. Our ministry ended 2018 with prayer and fasting and entered 2019 with prayer and fasting. By this I mean, we prayed every day the last seven says of 2018 and the first seven days of 2019. Each of us fasted three days straight during that time as well. We also consecrated ourselves. Why? To draw closer to the Lord.
Ones relationship with Jesus is kept by prayer and obedience to the word of God. Nothing else. The Lord has reminded me of what my responsibility is to Him. He reminded me that I am not my own and that I am bought with a price. He reminded me that I have a call on my life that did not come from man, a denomination, an organization. I was minding my own business when the Lord called me to preach and teach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I have a mandate to say and do what the Word of God dictates. Many may not like it, but that is between them and God. The preached word is what souls need to hear. Not some watered down, cute message that tickles the flesh. There will be no repentance in hell. There are too many people lost. There are too many people that do not have salvation. That have not repented of their sins. I heard a young lady say how she was all these sinful things while she was 'in the church'. I beg to differ. Living in sin is not being in the Church or to put it a different way, one can not be living a sinful life and be in the Church that Jesus purchased with His blood (which is the only Church that prepares a soul for Heaven). "Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee Except a man be born again, he can not see the kingdom of God." John 3:3 There are too many young people that have not clue what salvation is or how to obtain it or that realize that they need it!! Its is time to be a witness. it is time to take a stand for righteousness, and yes; it may come at a cost. So, yes in 2019 it is still holiness or hell. The times are getting more evil. Things are happening all around that is affecting peoples everyday lives. Even as I write this there are hundreds of thousands of people that have been laid off by the federal government. These are people that have bills to pay, will need to buy food for their families, pay utility bills and they are not working. Times are getting bad. It is time to be saved. My prayer during the consecration was, "Lord, teach me how to be a witness in 2019. Teach me how to be a soul winner in 2019'. -Pastor Webb Today, December 7, 2018 marks the 14 anniversary of Steadfast Apostolic Church. I remember when the Lord gave me the name of the ministry in a dream. I had always been under Elders and this was my first time walking with the Lord leading me and only Him to lean on.
The ministry started from a Bible Study in my living room. The Lord had blessed me earlier in the year to buy a home in a very nice area of the city. One that I was told I did not belong in. After my Pastor died, change came. I just knew that I had to continue with the teaching of the un-compromised Gospel of Jesus Christ. People started coming to the Bible Study and the rest is history. Our service on tonight will not center around me. I am just a servant. The original reason we started having anniversary services was to give back to the community and minister to the community. We have fed and clothed people since the onset of this ministry. We have ministered to kids, their parents, couples, homeless people and on and on. This ministry will never put flesh on display. And, I pray the Lord will show me if it ever does. I still believe in the laying on of hands for healing. This is one of the gifts the Lord has given me. In our service on tonight, a prayer line will be called, in Jesus Name. No, it is not for show or entertainment. It is not presented as show or entertainment. It is for the glory of God. One of the goals of the Church is to perfect the Saints. This is a full time job all in itself. So, on tonight we will honor the Lord for sustaining us to continue to earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered to the Saints. For Him keeping my mind and giving strength. For Him comforting when there is no one there. For him giving strength to feeble knees when I feel like I can not stand. Thank you Lord for your faithfulness. "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." Matthew 16:18 "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:. Matthew 28:19 "I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke exhort with all long suffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth and shall be turned unto fables.: II Timothy 4:1-4 Oh, Amen -Pastor Webb |
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