Counterfeit

There are counterfeits, fakes, and "knock-offs" of almost

everything these days--including spiritual things.

To recognize a counterfeit, you must study the genuine. Once you

know "the genuine article", a counterfeit is more easily recognized.

It gives you the standard by which to judge and evaluate.

 The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the

  faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. Such

  teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have

  been seared as with a hot iron. (1 Tim 4:1-2 NIV)

Opposition with God

Did you ever think that not accepting what God was doing in someone

just because it did not fit your expectation was equivalent to

opposing God? Well, it is, according to today's verses.

This does not mean that we should accept anything from anyone. Far

from it! It does mean that before we say something is not of God, we

had best check in with Him first.

In short: Exercise discernment through prayer before judgment.

   "As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit came on them as he had come on

  us at the beginning. Then I remembered what the Lord had said: 'John

  baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.'

  So if God gave them the same gift as he gave us, who believed in the

  Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to think that I could oppose God?"

  (Acts 11:15-17 NIV)

Compromise?

Sometimes we are in situations where we feel there is no other

alternative but to compromise our values or integrity. More times

than not, that means that we do not like the consequences of

refusal.

Even more important is to consider the consequences of compromise,

beginning with its effect on our relationship with God!

  Don't be fooled by those who try to excuse these sins, for the

  terrible anger of God comes upon all those who disobey him. Don't

  participate in the things these people do. (Eph 5:6-7 NLT)

What make sense

Sometimes God's instructions do not seem to make sense. Why is this?He knows things we do not. Think of it like this: If you see an equation where 1+1=7, you know something is missing because the sum of 1+1 is not 7. God sees the hidden information-- the 5 that is "missing" as we would reckon it from our perspective. If you trust only in what you see, hear, taste, smell, and touch, you may "miss some numbers"; you may base decisions on incomplete information. Trust God: He sees the whole equation. From His perspective, it all adds up.  Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what to do. You   are to anoint for me the one I indicate." When they arrived, Samuel   saw Eliab and thought, "Surely the Lord's anointed stands here   before the LORD." But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not consider his   appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not   look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward   appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." (1 Sam 16:3,6-7 NIV)

Trust inTuff times

When you lose your job (or cannot find one), lose a loved one, getsick, plans fail, or any other of a long list of potentially bad circumstances, it will not feel like God is watching over you. This may be hard to hear in difficult times, however, it is true: God does not exist only to make us feel good. Our peace, security, and well being is in faith, relationship with God, and knowing that He will always do what is the absolute best for us--to the degree that we are willing to trust Him.   The LORD watches over you--the LORD is your shade at your right   hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. The   LORD will keep you from all harm--he will watch over your life; the   LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.   (Psa 121:5-8 NIV)

What it Cost

Everything we now have in God is by and through the covenant established by Jesus, completed and validated by His blood--His atonement sacrifice for our sin. Some professing Believers not only do not know what that covenant provides, they are not even aware that there is a covenant. Do not be one of them! That covenant is the source of our relation- ship with the Lord, our authority through Him, and our hope in Him.  But the ministry Jesus has received is as superior to theirs as the   covenant of which he is mediator is superior to the old one, and it   is founded on better promises. For if there had been nothing wrong   with that first covenant, no place would have been sought for   another. (Heb 8:6-7 NIV)

What we have and what it cost

Everything we now have in God is by and through the covenant established by Jesus, completed and validated by His blood--His atonement sacrifice for our sin. Some professing Believers not only do not know what that covenant provides, they are not even aware that there is a covenant. Do not be one of them! That covenant is the source of our relation- ship with the Lord, our authority through Him, and our hope in Him.   But the ministry Jesus has received is as superior to theirs as the   covenant of which he is mediator is superior to the old one, and it   is founded on better promises. For if there had been nothing wrong   with that first covenant, no place would have been sought for   another. (Heb 8:6-7 NIV)