PASTORS ANNIVERSARIES (APPRECIATION) RITUALS & MONEY PART 6: PRAY FOR THE WICKED: THE DECEIVERS IN GOD'S HOUSE

In the name of God, Master of the universe, Ruler of the earth.

Our prayer today, yesterday and as long as we walk, the earth is for all of humankind to be saved. Thus we come realizing that many people in the Church Houses are not saved. Sadly and tragically many of these people are Preachers. Can you be saved and have a heart of larceny? For the record many ignorant Preachers believe they have a right to economically exploit their congregations. For some reason they have come to believe that this is their right and duty of all Preachers. Also somehow along the way they claim that God has given them this charge.

Our dearly Beloved Brother's and Sisters the only way to refute ungodly tradition and the False Teaching in the Church is with scripture. Those that refuse to adhere to scripture regarding the lies Preachers tell about tithes and offerings and giving money to Preachers for Pastor Appreciation Services reject God. The Word of God is clear, the great emphasis on money by the church is a form of idol worship. The world worships money the church is of the world but when you become a Christian you are supposed to be transformed and thus you do not conform to the ways of the world. But many people and the ungodly people bring the world into the church, they are of the world and not of the church.

As we hear the prayer of David we realize the power of prayer when surrounded by the wicked and faced with trouble. Thus in the storms of life we realize that God is our shield. Prayer also keeps us close to God.

David is noted as the greatest king in the history of Israel. David is also noted as an ancestor of Jesus Christ, but he also sinned. Here we note that all humankind sin, but all humankind do not ask God for forgiveness. Also, repentance results in changed behavior. David was a liar, murderer, adulterer and betrayer. However, he honestly admitted his mistakes realizing that forgiveness does not remove the consequence of sin. As we look at David, we draw parallels between this great man of God and those that have been Called by God and have sinned.

We pray that the Preachers of today will do as David did. We pray that they will repent and change their wicked ways of exploiting the people of God.

1 Samuel 13:14. "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."

God knew of the eventual sins of David however He still knew that David was a man after His own heart. We (FreedomJournal) have charged countless Preachers with sin and the crime of Preaching that a tithe of money is commanded by God. We have also charged them with irresponsible stewardship regarding monies that should be used to help the poor are saving Ministries. However, Most Preacher will never admit their sins or crimes. In fact instead of confessing and repenting they continue to lie and distort scripture in an attempt to justify robbing God's people.

Meanwhile when David was charged with sin he did not deny it nor even try to excuse it. As he acknowledged his sin he was willing to make the amends that God required. This is the kind of man that is after God's heart. It is also important to note that David was faithful against the enemies of God's people because he was the captain over God's people.

The Godly stature of David is further seen as we turn to 2 Samuel 7:28-29 and 1-29. In verses 1- 17 God promises eternal blessing to David. However our discussion is greatly benefitted by David's prayer of acceptance noted in verses 18-29.

2 Samuel 17:28-29. "And now, O Lord God, thou art that God, an thy words be true, and thou hast promised this goodness unto thy servant."

2 Samuel 17:29. "Therefore now let it please thee to bless the house of thy servant, that it may continue forever before thee: for thou, O Lord God, hast spoken it; and with thy blessing let the house of thy servant be blessed forever."

Here again David presents a Godly posture that contradicts the selfish attitude of most Preachers. David was not concerned only for himself. He was more concerned about the welfare of his people, who comprised the nation of the Lord. David also believed in the Truth of God. Thus, he lived his life based on the Truth of God, he knew that this was the only (not money) trustworthy foundation to build our life on.

As we turn to our major scripture we turn to Psalms 28 we hear David saying:

Psalms 28:1. "Unto thee will I cry, O Lord my rock; be not silent to me: lest, if thou be silent to me, I become like thee that go down into the pot."

Cry here is noted as strong reference to prayer. David in making a sincere prayer, prayed that God would not overlook his prayer. Down in the pit means a state of depression. As David lifted his hands in verse 2 we note that lifting the hands was a practice that noted a respectful appeal to God. (See 1 Timothy 2:8). Supplication is an urgent form of prayer. Holy oracle is a phrase that applies to the temple as the spiritual headquarters of God.

In verse 3 David reveals that he is not to be classed with the wicked that often pretend friendship. These people also pretend to be people of God. These wicked men (many Preachers) were hypocrites who said what was pleasing to the ear but had hearts of larceny and deceit.

So David prays in verse 4 for God to punish the wicked in a way that matched their evil deeds. These wicked men disregarded the works of the Lord, and what God had created. However, the Lord will not uphold the unrighteous.

Psalms 28: 6-8. 28:6. "Blessed be the Lord, because he hath heard the voice of my supplications." 28:7. "The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my sin will I praise him." 28:8. "The Lord is their strength, and he is the saving strength of his anointed."

Blessed usually means happy. When we apply this to God, He is to be praised because He brings happiness to those He created. God had given happiness to David due to his urgent prayer.

David appreciated the strength and the shield of protection provided by the Lord. Thus, in appreciation he praised God with songs. The anointed are the people chosen by God. As we trust in God, He will protect us.

We (FreedomJournal) need the loving protection of God from our enemies. As we stand for God against the wicked Preachers that have invaded the pulpits of righteousness we are rebuked an scorned. However we gain strength daily as we continue to pray and grow in the trust of God's Word.

Peace and Love, Carl Patton writing for the FreedomJournal May 22, 2001 in the year of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Cont. Part 7: God Is More Important Than Money ( 2 Kings 16:10-18) All rights reserved by Psyche Z Publishing: FreedomJournal 2001.

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Peace be unto you.