Have you bought something you didn’t need? How about getting something and thinking it was something else? When I was buying items for milk barn or the house, I always bought in groups for the project because it’s a real waste of money to buy things you don’t need? I still have a box of hurricane clips.
Sometimes we buy things we shouldn’t have. One time in my teens I began to accumulate baby chickens. I loved the birds and enjoyed watching them grow up. I had too much money which was simply burning a hole in my pocket and before I knew it, I had more chicks than would fit in my brooder. To make matters worse, the chicken coop did not have power, so I did not have a way to keep the babies warm. I decided to take matters into my hands and cam up with he absolute best possible solution. I took some wood shelves and chicken wire. Before long I had assembled a series of small cages which I placed in our basement. My mom initially thought I had a couple of chicks down there. After a few days and when one of the young roosters started crowing, mom began asking questions like an FBI agent. I confessed to the operation and she observed what she called a “disaster”. This was a lesson in learning when to stop buying. Speaking of buying, have you ever met a gullible person? Have you almost purchased the Brooklyn bridge? Do you prepare for the next scam? Do we guard our hearts the same? 1 John 4:1-6 NIV “Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world. You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. They are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them. We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we recognize the Spirit of truth and the spirit of falsehood.” The bible talks about testing and knowing, so how do we still get caught up in the scam? We must allow ourselves to tune into the still small voice. The voice of the Holy Spirit leading and guiding us into all truth. Some of that is recognizing what causes us to break? We talked about going to the auction. Visualize another auction but you show up as the buyer. You can’t purchase anything without paying a price. You can’t just write a check you have to have the money. At this auction anything you buy will cost you. Are you anticipating purchasing good things or are you hoping for a scam? We want good but sometimes we buy the lie. The devils lies destroy us in subtle ways. Sometimes we don’t even realize we have been taken until it is too late. Sometimes it is wise to slow down. Recognize what is not your forte but don’t listen to the devil’s comments like:
People buy the lies take them home and they won’t get rid of them. I have watched people with tremendous potential go down in smoke because they bought the lie and lost sight of their purpose. They paid the price and then got ripped off. Instead, start a new habit. Put yourself on a budget and tell yourself:
I’m redeemed, greater is He that is in me. I am blessed! I have favor! I will fulfill my purpose! My prayer for you is that you are God led. You won’t make the sacrifice for a lie. I declare we are fulfilling Isaiah 41:6-7 “They helped every one his neighbour; and every one said to his brother, Be of good courage. So the carpenter encouraged the goldsmith, and he that smootheth with the hammer him that smote the anvil, saying, It is ready for the sodering: and he fastened it with nails, that it should not be moved.” Isaiah 41:6-7 KJV We are helpers. We are encouragers and we don’t buy the devils lies.
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AuthorPhilip Lukens is the senior pastor of the Carr Community Church. To receive updates please enter your e-mail address below and click subscribe. Archives
December 2020
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